BA War, Peace & International Relations

Why do countries go to war? Is parliamentary government better than presidential government? Is democracy desirable? The study of politics is concerned with these types of questions and explores the ways in which political authority is exercised both within the state and between states and non‑state actors on the international stage.

Through studying Politics & International Relations at Reading, you will apply the resources of a vibrant discipline to some of the most pressing problems of the contemporary world. You will explore the ideas, theories and values that shape policy, learn what motivates political behaviour, and examine how institutions of government and their political processes work at domestic and international levels.

This degree gives you the opportunity to understand and specialise in issues of conflict in the modern international environment and to learn about the role of military strategy and defence policy in conflict resolution. Confronting one of the main concerns of mankind, the programme studies war from historical times to today, demonstrating that issues of war remain pertinent and of relevance to modern-day governance. This course will be of particular interest if you are thinking of a career in the armed forces or in the foreign service. Careers in international business as well as the media, research and business would also be natural progressions.

What will you study?

Year 1

International relations & strategic studies

Introduction to political ideas

Modern politics

Plus two or three other subjects from across the university

Optional

British society

Year 2

Modern international relations

War & peace since 1800

Contemporary strategy

Study of politics

One other core module (either Comparative government or political classics)

Plus one from a list of options offered at the time

Final year

Dissertation

Four options from a list including:

British foreign & defence policy

Democracy and democracy promotion

European security

Feminism & political theory

Intelligence, war and international relations

International terrorism

Introduction to critical security studies

Modern ideologies

Politics & international relations of the Middle East

Politics of the international economy

Strategic theory

Strategy in the two world wars

The politics of electoral systems

UN and international order

UK politics since 1960

US foreign & defence policy since 1950

War, peace & international ethics