Skip to main content
Home

Information for:

  • Alumni
  • Applicants
  • Current Students
  • Staff
  • Job Vacancies
  • Covid-19
  • Cymraeg
My country:

Main Menu

    • Study Options
      • Study Home
      • Why Study at Bangor?
      • Undergraduate Study
      • Postgraduate Taught Study
      • Postgraduate Research
      • Part-time Courses
      • January Start Courses
      • Degree Apprenticeships
      • Study Abroad
      • Work Experience
    • Study Advice
      • Apply
      • Already Applied?
      • Fees and Finances
      • Scholarships and Bursaries
      • Get Ready for University
    • Explore Bangor
      • Virtual Open Days and Visits
      • Virtual Student Experience

    Find a Course

    Order a Prospectus

    • Student Life
      • Student Life Home
      • Bangor and the Area
      • Social Life and Entertainment
      • Accommodation
      • Clubs and Societies
      • Sport
      • Virtual Student Experience
    • Your Experience at Bangor
      • Student Support
      • Skills and Employability
      • Study or Work Abroad
      • Fees and Finances

    Welcome 2021

    Student Profiles

    Student Videos and Vlogs

    • Choose Bangor
      • International Home
      • Why Bangor?
      • Location
      • Student Support
      • Contact Us
    • Apply
      • Entry Requirements
      • Tuition Fees and Scholarships
      • How to Apply
      • Already Applied
      • Study Abroad
      • Exchanges

    January Intake Courses

    Country Specific Information

    Bangor University International College

    Covid-19 Information

    • Research
      • Research Home
      • About Our Research
      • Research in our Academic Schools
      • Research Institutes and Centres
      • Research Portal
      • Research, Innovation and Impact Office (RIIO)
      • Energy
      • Research News
    • Postgraduate Study and Research Opportunities
      • Postgraduate Research Study
    • Events and Training Opportunities
      • Researcher Development
    • The University
      • About Us
      • Our Mission
      • Our Location
      • Academic Schools and Colleges
      • Services and Facilities
      • University Management and Governance
      • Vice Chancellor's Office
      • Working with Business
      • Working with the Community
      • Sustainability
      • Contact Us
    • Working for Us
      • Job Vacancies
    • University Management and Governance
      • Policies and Procedures
      • Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
    • University and the Community
      • Pontio
      • Sports Facilities
      • Conference Facilities
      • Places to Eat and Drink
      • Public Events
      • Widening Access
      • Services to Schools
    • Business Services
      • Business Services Home
    • Collaboration Hub
      • Collaboration Hub
      • Funding for Collaborative Research and Development (R&D) & Innovation
      • Business Facilities and Networks
      • Consultancy, Specialist Expertise and Knowledge
      • Commercialisation and Intellectual Property (IP)
      • Student Placements and Internships in Business & Enterprise
      • Training and Continuing Professional Development
      • Degree Apprenticeships
    • Conferencing and Business Dining
      • Conferencing Facilities
      • Business Dining
    • Contacts
      • Research, Innovation and Impact Office (RIIO)
      • Get In Touch
    • News
      • Current News
      • Research News
      • Student News
    • Events
      • Events

    • Study Options
      • Study Home
      • Why Study at Bangor?
      • Undergraduate Study
      • Postgraduate Taught Study
      • Postgraduate Research
      • Part-time Courses
      • January Start Courses
      • Degree Apprenticeships
      • Study Abroad
      • Work Experience
    • Study Advice
      • Apply
      • Already Applied?
      • Fees and Finances
      • Scholarships and Bursaries
      • Get Ready for University
    • Explore Bangor
      • Virtual Open Days and Visits
      • Virtual Student Experience

    Find a Course

    Order a Prospectus

    Covid-19 information

    • Student Life
      • Student Life Home
      • Bangor and the Area
      • Social Life and Entertainment
      • Accommodation
      • Clubs and Societies
      • Sport
      • Virtual Student Experience
    • Your Experience at Bangor
      • Student Support
      • Skills and Employability
      • Study or Work Abroad
      • Fees and Finances

    Welcome 2021

    Student Profiles

    Student Videos and Vlogs

    • Choose Bangor
      • International Home
      • Why Bangor?
      • Location
      • Student Support
      • Contact Us
    • Apply
      • Entry Requirements
      • Tuition Fees and Scholarships
      • How to Apply
      • Already Applied
      • Study Abroad
      • Exchanges

    January Intake Courses

    Country Specific Information

    Bangor University International College

    Covid-19 Information

    • Research
      • Research Home
      • About Our Research
      • Research in our Academic Schools
      • Research Institutes and Centres
      • Research Portal
      • Research, Innovation and Impact Office (RIIO)
      • Energy
      • Research News
    • Postgraduate Study and Research Opportunities
      • Postgraduate Research Study
    • Events and Training Opportunities
      • Researcher Development
    • The University
      • About Us
      • Our Mission
      • Our Location
      • Academic Schools and Colleges
      • Services and Facilities
      • University Management and Governance
      • Vice Chancellor’s Office
      • Working with Business
      • Working with the Community
      • Sustainability
      • Contact Us
    • Working for Us
      • Job Vacancies
    • University Management and Governance
      • Policies and Procedures
      • Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
    • University and the Community
      • Pontio
      • Sports Facilities
      • Conference Facilities
      • Places to Eat and Drink
      • Public Events
      • Widening Access
      • Services to Schools
    • Business Services
      • Business Services Home
    • Collaboration Hub
      • Collaboration Hub
      • Funding for Collaborative Research and Development (R&D) & Innovation
      • Business Facilities and Networks
      • Consultancy, Specialist Expertise and Knowledge
      • Commercialisation and Intellectual Property (IP)
      • Student Placements and Internships in Business & Enterprise
      • Training and Continuing Professional Development
      • Degree Apprenticeships
    • Conferencing and Business Dining
      • Conferencing Facilities
      • Business Dining
    • Contacts
      • Research, Innovation and Impact Office (RIIO)
      • Get In Touch
    • News
      • Current News
      • Research News
      • Student News
    • Events
      • Events

Information for:

  • Alumni
  • Applicants
  • Current Students
  • Staff
  • Job Vacancies
  • Covid-19
My country:

Search

Close

Breadcrumb

Share this page:
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Cymraeg

Share this page:
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Module HPS-1002:
Power, Freedom & the State

Module Facts

Run by School of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Marc Collinson

Overall aims and purpose

The module aims to introduce the student to the field of political sciences. The module draws on the set of philosophical and social theories to engage with the questions, such as what is politics, what are political systems and how they have come to be as well as broader political questions on the role of the state and sovereignty, authority and civil society. The module aims are: to examine the classic theories of power, state and authority as well as the modern political concepts, such as nationalism, globalisation, civil society and populism; to demonstrate the link between the current political issues and their broader national and global context; to familiarise students with the terminology and data evidence used in the academic discussion of political and social sciences.

Course content

The topics for the Principles of Politics:

  • The nature of Politics and Political Analysis
  • Politics and the State
  • Political Power, Authority and the State
  • Democracy and Political Obligation
  • Freedom and justice
  • Nations and Nationalism
  • Traditional Ideologies
  • Political Parties
  • Civil Society, Interest Groups and Populism

Assessment Criteria

excellent

Student’s work will display the critical thinking and ability to make an academic argument with the use of relevant political theories and use of the empirical evidence. It will show the sophisticated competence in knowledge, writing and referencing.

good

Student’s work will display a good understanding of major political theories and concepts and their application to the contemporary political discourse. It will show reflexive competence in the discussion and analysis of the contemporary political issues.

threshold

Student's work will display an adequate understanding of the political theories and contacts, use simple comparisons to help explain the contemporary political questions and show basic competence in writing, referencing and discussing on the political issues.

Learning outcomes

  1. Understand key concepts of political sciences, such as state, power, authority, nation and ideology.

  2. Show initiative and independence in researching sources of information relating to the chosen topic.

  3. Apply the concepts and theories into the discussion of contemporary social and political problems in the academic debate.

  4. Understand the nature of the empirical evidence in the academic political debate.

  5. Be familiar with classical and modern theories of political sciences

  6. Understand the origins and development of political institutions in contemporary society

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
CLASS TEST HPS-1002 Test 2

The Continuous assessments are based on the reading materials with the elements of critical discussion and interpretation of empirical evidence, they will involve on-line test and small Black Board based assessments depending on the size of the class.

20
ESSAY HPS-1002 Essay

The essay will include the academic argument and critical discussion of the selected topic.

40
CLASS TEST HPS-1002 Test 1

The Continuous assessments are based on the reading materials with the elements of critical discussion and interpretation of empirical evidence, they will involve on-line test and small Black Board based assessments depending on the size of the class.

20
CLASS TEST HPS-1002 Test 3

The Continuous assessments are based on the reading materials with the elements of critical discussion and interpretation of empirical evidence, they will involve on-line test and small Black Board based assessments depending on the size of the class.

20

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Workshop

Workshops – 2 hours a week

200

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Subject specific skills

  • how to make ethically sound judgements in relation to research carried out by others or oneself
  • relationships between these and social divisions and social change.
  • the ability to formulate and investigate sociologically informed questions
  • awareness of how political and cultural values - including the student's own - have an impact on responses to and rival interpretations of safety and security, crime
  • the ability to formulate and investigate sociologically informed questions
  • competence in using major theoretical perspectives and concepts in sociology, and their application to social life
  • the capacity to analyse, assess and communicate empirical sociological information
  • the ability to conduct sociological research
  • Appreciate the value of and apply theoretical and methodological rigour to analyses of welfare issues;
  • the ability to understand the ethical implications of sociological enquiry
  • Become cognizant with key conceptual debates within the field of contemporary social policy

Resources

Reading list

Key texts:

Garner R., Ferdinand P., Lawson S. (2016) Introduction to Politics 3rd Edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press

Ferdinand P., Garner R., Lawson S. (2018) Politics, Oxford: Oxford University Press

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

  • M93B: BA Criminology & Criminal Just (4yr with Incorp Foundation) year 1 (BA/CCJ1)
  • M931: BA Criminology & Criminal Justice with International Exp year 1 (BA/CJIE)
  • M930: BA Criminology & Criminal Justice year 1 (BA/CRIM)
  • L200: BA Politics year 1 (BA/POL)
  • L202: BA Politics and Economics year 1 (BA/POLEC)
  • L201: BA Politics with Placement Year year 1 (BA/POLP)
  • L300: BA Sociology year 1 (BA/S)
  • L31B: BA Sociology (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 1 (BA/S1)
  • LM40: BA Sociology & Criminology & Crim Just with International Ex year 1 (BA/SCJIE)
  • LM39: BA Sociology and Criminology & Criminal Justice year 1 (BA/SCR)
  • 8Y70: BA Sociology (with International Experience) year 1 (BA/SIE)
  • L41B: BA Social Policy (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 1 (BA/SOCP1)
  • L402: BA Social Policy year 1 (BA/SOCPOL)
  • LL34: BA Sociology and Social Policy year 1 (BA/SOCSP)
  • LM50: BA Social Policy and Criminology and Criminal Justice (IE) year 1 (BA/SPCIE)
  • LM49: BA Social Policy/Criminology year 1 (BA/SPCR)
  • M1L2: LLB Law with Politics year 1 (LLB/LPOL)
  • M932: MSocSci Criminology & Criminal Justice year 1 (MSOCSCI/CCJ)
  • L302: MSocSci Sociology year 1 (MSOCSCI/S)
  • L403: MSocSci Social Policy year 1 (MSOCSCI/SP)

Optional in courses:

  • X316: BA Astudiaethau Plentyndod ac Ieuenctid a Chymdeithaseg year 1 (BA/APIC)
  • X318: BA Astudiaeth Plentyndod ac Ieuenctid a Pholisi Cymdeithasol year 1 (BA/APIPC)
  • LM3Y: BA Cymdeithaseg&CriminologyCrimJ year 1 (BA/CCCJ)
  • LL3M: BA Cymdeithaseg & Health and Social Care year 1 (BA/CHSC)
  • MR95: BA Criminology&Criml Just/Italian year 1 (BA/CRIT)
  • MC98: BA Criminology/Psychology year 1 (BA/CRP)
  • MR94: BA Criminology/Spanish year 1 (BA/CRSP)
  • X317: BA Childhood and Youth Studies and Social Policy year 1 (BA/CYSP)
  • X315: BA Childhood and Youth Studies and Sociology year 1 (BA/CYSS)
  • LL13: BA Sociology/Economics year 1 (BA/ECS)
  • LL2B: BA Sociology & Economics (4 yr with Incorporated Foundation) year 1 (BA/ECS1)
  • LQ3J: BA English Lang. & Sociology year 1 (BA/ELSOC)
  • M3Q9: BA English Literature and Criminology and Criminal Justice year 1 (BA/ENC)
  • MR91: BA French/Criminology&Crim'l Just year 1 (BA/FRCR)
  • MR92: BA Criminology&CrimJustice/German year 1 (BA/GCR)
  • V100: BA History year 1 (BA/H)
  • VW23: BA Hanes Cymru a Cherddoriaeth year 1 (BA/HCAC)
  • 8B03: BA History (with International Experience) year 1 (BA/HIE)
  • LM52: BA Health & Social Care / Criminology & Criminal Justice year 1 (BA/HSCCCJ)
  • LL53: BA Health & Social Care/Sociology year 1 (BA/HSCS)
  • LL54: BA Hlth & Scl Care/Social Policy year 1 (BA/HSCSP)
  • LVJ1: BA Cymdeithaseg/Hanes year 1 (BA/HSW)
  • V140: BA Modern & Contemporary History year 1 (BA/MCH)
  • V130: BA Mediaeval and Early Modern His year 1 (BA/MEMH)
  • LP33: BA Media Studies and Sociology year 1 (BA/MSSOC)
  • L401: Polisi Cymdeithasol year 1 (BA/PC)
  • LM4X: BA Polisi Cymdeithasol & Criminology and Criminal Justice year 1 (BA/PCCCJ)
  • LL5K: Polisi Cymdeithasol & Health and Social Care year 1 (BA/PCHSC)
  • VVV2: BA Philosophy and Religion and Welsh History year 1 (BA/PRWH)
  • CL83: BA Sociology/Psychology year 1 (BA/PS)
  • 3L3Q: BA Sociology and English Literature year 1 (BA/SEL)
  • LV31: BA Sociology/History year 1 (BA/SH)
  • LQ31: BA Sociology/Linguistics year 1 (BA/SL)
  • LL14: BA Social Policy/Economics year 1 (BA/SPEC)
  • LL1B: BA Social Policy & Economics (4yr with Incorp Foundation) year 1 (BA/SPEC1)
  • LV41: BA Social Policy/History year 1 (BA/SPH)
  • CL84: BA Social Policy/Psychology year 1 (BA/SPP)
  • LVK1: BA Polisi Cymdeithasol/Hanes year 1 (BA/SPWH)
  • LQK5: BA Polisi Cymdeithasol a Chymraeg year 1 (BA/SPWW)
  • LVL1: BA Pol Cymd/Han Cymru year 1 (BA/SPWWH)
  • L3LK: BA Cymd gyda Phol Cymd year 1 (BA/SSPW)
  • LQH5: BA Cymdeithaseg a Chymraeg year 1 (BA/SWW)
  • LVH1: BA Cymdeithaseg/Hanes Cymru year 1 (BA/SWWH)
  • V104: BA Welsh History and Archaeology year 1 (BA/WHAR)
  • VP23: BA Welsh History and Film Studies year 1 (BA/WHFS)
  • VV12: BA Welsh History/History year 1 (BA/WHH)
  • LVH2: BA Welsh History/Sociology year 1 (BA/WHS)
  • QVM2: BA Welsh History/Cymraeg year 1 (BA/WHW)
  • LQ35: BA Cymraeg and Sociology year 1 (BA/WS)
  • M108: LLB Law with Social Policy (International Experience) year 1 (LLB/LIF)
  • M1L4: LLB Law with Social Policy year 1 (LLB/LSP)
  • M1LB: LLB Law with Social Policy (4 yr with Incorp Foundation) year 1 (LLB/LSP1)
  • V101: MArts History year 1 (MARTS/HIST)
  • L3L5: MSocSci Cymdeithaseg gyda Pholisi Cymdeithasol year 1 (MSOCSCI/CYMD)

Home

About Us

Academic Schools and Colleges

  • School of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics
    • Home
    • About the School
      • Our Location
      • Bangor & the Area
      • Community Engagement
      • Studying in Welsh
    • Our Staff
    • Undergraduate Study
      • Order a prospectus
      • University Open Days
      • Why Bangor?
      • Get ready for University
      • Accommodation
      • Scholarships & Bursaries
      • Fees & Finances
      • Applying to Bangor
      • Careers & Employability
      • Student Life
      • Studying at Bangor
      • Student Support
      • UCAS Visit Days
      • Year Abroad Options
        • Contacts and Blogs
        • Your Options
        • Before you leave
        • Living Abroad
          • Living in France / Belgium / Switzerland / Martinique
          • Living in Germany / Austria
          • Living in Italy
          • Living in Spain and Latin America
        • Studying Abroad
        • Supporting You
        • Employability and the Year Abroad
        • Year Abroad Forms
      • Language Links
    • Postgraduate Study
      • Overview
      • Why study with us?
      • Order a prospectus
      • Fees & Finances
      • Scholarships & Funding
      • Entry requirements
      • Applying to Bangor
      • Accommodation
      • Student Support
      • Student Life
      • Studying at Bangor
    • Order a Prospectus
    • Creative Bangor
    • Languages for All
    • English Language Centre for Overseas Students (ELCOS)
      • About ELCOS
      • 中文
      • اللغة العربية
      • Courses
        • Pathways
        • Pre-sessional courses
        • Language Improvement Courses
        • Summer courses
        • How to apply
      • How to apply
      • Useful Information
      • Modules for overseas students studying at Bangor
      • News
      • Events
      • Staff
      • Contact us
    • Research
      • Languages Research
        • Staff Research Specialisms
        • Research Forum
        • Centre for Galician Studies in Wales
          • Research
          • Staff
          • Galicia 21 Journal
        • European Travellers to Wales
      • Literatures Research
        • Conferences
      • Linguistics Research
      • Research Seminars
      • Research Ethics
    • Videos
    • Events & Conferences
    • News
    • Contact Us
Home

Follow Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn

Bangor University

Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG, UK

+44 (0)1248 351151

marketing@bangor.ac.uk

Visit Us

Maps & Directions

Policy

  • Legal Compliance
  • Modern Slavery Act 2015 Statement
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy and Cookies
Map

Bangor University is a Registered Charity: No. 1141565

© 2020 Bangor University