Monday, 12 May 2014

Why Study Politics At University?

By Alex Jones


If you're considering further study, perhaps a Masters of PhD, then Politics can be an excellent choice. It's a subject that is constantly evolving and something that is inherent in every aspect of our daily lives. Studying politics equips students with excellent interpersonal and analytical skills that are crucial to personal development and future employability. The ability to analyse our modern day society too is an added bonus.

If that sounds like something you'd be interested in then many Universities offer a range of courses in Politics, each with their own specialism and slant on the subject. While Politics courses will differ across the board, they may include a number of similar constituent parts.

* A study of the United Kingdom. Studying our home politics is of course incredibly desirable to better understand our own society and culture. If that wasn't enough, the UK is currently a fascinating political case study, what with a coalition government, Parliaments in Scotland, Wales and London and our ever-shifting relationship with Europe and the Euro. On our home door step there is enough material for countless debates, so get involved!

* Outside of the UK, the definition of Europe and the role of the European Union is equally contentious. As the entity known as 'Europe' increases in size and strength students need to be able to pinpoint and rationalise developments. The study of Europe also offers opportunity to study the political landscapes of other countries, comparing them to our own and examining different forms of government. Many universities also offer topics of study outside of Europe, including the USA, Latin America, Asia, Africa or Australasia.

* Understanding Political theory is crucial to the study of politics, as without it we wouldn't understand the reasoning, the motivations and the consequences of political actions. Topics such as the nature of freedom, the responsibility of democracy, the relationship between government and society and questions of justice and equality.

* A small number of events symbolise democracy better than elections. Elections can alter the course of a country. Studying elections can be about forecasting results, trying to work out why people vote as they do, or even why they don't vote at all. Party campaigns, what policies are put forward, how parties pick candidates and related questions are all essential and exciting areas of study.

* International relations prompts examination of the machinations of actors on the international political stage, why and how wars occur and how peace is negotiated and maintained, and the role of organisations such as the United Nations.

All of these interesting topics of study and many more are available in Politics courses across the UK. Take a look at the breadth and depth of the courses on offer to find one that speaks to your interests.




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