PIR undergraduate brochure

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Politics & International Relations

Department of Politics & International Relations Undergraduate Studies Department of Politics & International Relations

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Royal Holloway is widely recognised on the world stage as one of the UK’s leading teaching and research universities. One of the larger colleges of the University of London, we are strong across the sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities. We were ranked 12th in the UK (102nd in the world) by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2014, which described us as ‘truly world class’.

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Department of Politics & International Relations

As a cosmopolitan community, with students from 130 countries, we focus on the support and development of the individual. Our friendly and safe campus, west of central London, provides a unique environment for university study. We have been voted as one of the 16 most beautiful universities in the world (Daily Telegraph).

Politics and International Relations Contents The Department of Politics & International Relations at Royal Holloway is a friendly and vibrant place to study with a global reputation for the excellence of its teaching and research.

You will join a diverse and active student community and work with leading specialists in a wide range of fields. Our commitment to cuttingedge research informs our curriculum and will greatly enhance your learning experience.

We offer an exceptional range of subjects, covering both traditional areas of political science and International Relations – including institutional politics within states and relations of war and peace between them – and new areas of inquiry – such as globalisation, human rights, NGOs and other nonstate actors, and the role of new media in politics.

By studying with us, you will learn more about the political world and gain important and soughtafter skills for your future career.

Why study Politics and International Relations at Royal Holloway?

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Admissions and entry requirements

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Degree options

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Degree structures

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Course options in Politics and International Relations

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Teaching and assessment

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Studying abroad

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Your future career

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Other information

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Academic staff and their research interests

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Contact details

Head of Department Dr Alister Miskimmon alister.miskimmon@royalholloway.ac.uk Admissions Tutor Dr Nicholas Allen PIRadmissions@royalholloway.ac.uk General enquiries PoliticsandIR@royalholloway.ac.uk T: +44 (0)1784 276315 F: +44 (0)1784 276385 @RHULPir

more information

This brochure is designed to complement Royal Holloway’s Undergraduate Prospectus and information on the department’s website at royalholloway.ac.uk/politicsandir It is also available as a PDF at royalholloway.ac.uk/studyhere

Department of Politics & International Relations

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Why study Politics and International Relations at Royal Holloway?

Welcome I am absolutely delighted that you are considering studying with us in the Department of Politics & International Relations at Royal Holloway. Ours is a very friendly and outward-looking department, and we offer courses on a huge range of subjects, from African and Middle Eastern politics, through terrorism, global crime and foreign policy, to voting behaviour and the impact of media and new communication technology on politics.

Politics is a fascinating subject. It is also incredibly important.

We are curious about all its manifestations, from the local to the global. We are just as committed to excellent research as we are to our teaching; indeed, our research informs our teaching, and we are always looking to impart the latest knowledge to our students.

Studying with us will give you the analytical skills and knowledge needed to understand better domestic and international politics.

Our degrees will introduce you in a lively and interesting way to the most important ideas that structure our discipline, as well as some of the quantitative and qualitative methods we use. You will develop intellectually and personally and will become highly attractive to future employers. Our graduates enter a wide range of professions, such as the law, the civil service, accountancy, management, journalism, broadcasting, teaching, international development and diplomacy. Many of our graduates also go on to further study, entering postgraduate programmes both at Royal Holloway and at other prestigious institutions around the world.

I hope very much that you will choose to study with us. Please do visit us on one of our Open Days or contact our Admissions Tutor if you would like to know more.

• W e offer our students an extensive variety of Single and Joint Honours degrees.

• W e teach an advanced and internationally-focused curriculum.

• Y ou will be taught by specialists in their fields.

• Y ou will graduate with a highly valued University of London degree.

• Y ou will join a diverse and active student community.

• W e offer our students a wide range of Study Abroad opportunities in Europe and around the world.

• W e offer our students a work-placement scheme, ‘Politics in Action’, which forms part of the degree programme.

• W e provide our students with a dedicated support network, including Personal Advisors and student Peer Guides. ur students can access a wide range of teaching resources, • O including the College’s internet-based learning environment, Moodle. ur campus offers up-to-date computer and language labs, • O modern libraries, a 400-seat auditorium equipped with state-ofthe-art technology, and new student residences.

• O ur students also benefit from University of London resources, including the Senate House libraries and the facilities of the Students’ Union in central London. ur graduates have excellent career prospects and we were • O ranked as the second highest Politics department for career prospects in 2013 (Guardian University Guide).

Dr Alister Miskimmon Head of Department

STUDENT VIEW

Yvonne Jeffery, BA Politics & International Relations Studying in the PIR department has been a wonderful experience. It’s extremely rewarding to be taught by active and accomplished researchers who bring the most recent debates into their courses.

And the dynamism of the academic staff is complemented by an active student PIR Society.

I thoroughly recommend studying here.

Our public profile We are an outward-looking department. Many of the people who will teach you have a strong profile in the analysis of political events on television and radio, and in newspapers, magazines and online media, as well as advising governments and other organisations

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Department of Politics & International Relations

Our research-led teaching There is a close relationship between cutting-edge research and excellent teaching. The courses we offer are informed by our research, and we always look to bring the latest discoveries and ideas about the political world into the classroom.

The range of our research – also reflected in the breadth of our courses – is shown in this selection of books published by our staff

Dr James Sloam, an expert in European social democracy and youth politics (with Peter Mandelson and Sir Stephen Wall); Professor Ben O’Loughlin, an expert in international political communication; Dr Oliver Heath, an expert in voting behaviour; and Dr Lara Nettelfield, an expert in human rights and transitional justice.

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Admissions and entry requirements We welcome applications from all candidates with an interest in developing their knowledge and understanding of the political world. No prior academic background in the subject is required, and students are admitted on the basis of attainment at A-level or the equivalent. We recognise a broad range of UK and international qualifications, including Scottish or Irish Highers, Access, BTEC National Diploma and International Baccalaureate.

We treat each application individually. Applications should be made through UCAS at: ucas.com. We strongly encourage you to attend one of the College Open Days; and if you hold an offer from us, we very strongly encourage you to attend one of our Applicant Visit Days. These events provide a fantastic opportunity to gain a full picture of our courses, meet academic staff and speak to current students.

do not speak English as your first language you are usually expected to achieve an IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum 7.0 in writing, or hold an equivalent English language qualification, unless you’ve already studied for qualifications in the UK or have taken qualifications, such as A-levels, that are written and assessed in English.

Candidates from overseas should also use the UCAS system to submit their applications, but you may also wish to obtain special guidance before and during the application process. Advice can be obtained by contacting the College Admissions Office at: study@royalholloway.ac.uk Typical offers

International students

We look for applicants of AAB-ABB standard at A-level, 3534 in the IB or an equivalent standard in another qualification.

Further details of all acceptable qualifications can be found at: royalholloway.ac.uk/international/yourcountry

Each year we admit a large number of international students, which greatly enriches the department. We recognise a wide range of qualifications, including the IB, US Advanced Placements and many other national school-leaving examinations. If you

Please note that applicants for places on the BA/BSc Politics, Philosophy & Economics and BSc Economics, Politics & International Relations programmes are also expected to have attained grade A at GCSE Maths or a Maths A-level.

STUDENT VIEW

Natalie Preston, BA Politics The beginning of my undergraduate experience was one of the most nerve-wracking but exciting times of my life. Everybody, including fellow students and the department’s staff and lecturers, were friendly and approachable. The early weeks passed in blur of making new friends, getting to grips with lectures, learning how to find books in the library, attending countless societies’ meetings and adjusting to living away from my family.

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Department of Politics & International Relations

Degree options You’ll join a diverse and friendly community of over 400 undergraduates in the department, most of whom are on the BA Politics, BA International Relations or BA Politics & International Relations programmes. The remainder are enrolled on one of our various joint degrees.

L200

BA Politics

LF50

BA International Relations

L290

BA Politics & International Relations

Politics as a Major subject L2V5

BA Politics with Philosophy

Joint Honours L0V0

BA/BSc Politics, Philosophy & Economics

LV25

BA Politics & International Relations and Philosophy

LL12

BSc Economics, Politics & International Relations

FL82

BSc Geography, Politics & International Relations

VL12

BA History & International Relations

BA European Studies and Major/Minor degrees The Department of Politics & International Relations is home to the various BA European Studies programmes (R100, R200, R300, R401 & R900). For further details, please see the European Studies brochure.

We are also involved with a number of Major/Minor degrees where either Political Studies or International Relations is the Minor component. You should refer to the Major subject department’s brochure and website for more information.

With the exception of European Studies, all our programmes ordinarily last three years. Each degree consists of a core of compulsory courses (which must be passed if a student is to proceed to the next year of study) and additional courses that may be chosen from the range on offer. You’ll take four full-year units, or the equivalent, in each of your three years. Most of our courses are full-year units though we offer a number of half units in the third year.

All first-year students complete a package of foundation courses to qualify them for entry to the second year. We offer four courses in the first year: Classic and Contemporary Readings in Politics and International Relations; Introduction to International Relations; Introduction to Politics and Government; and Introduction to Research Methods in Politics and International Relations.

Students enrolled on our Politics, International Relations and Politics & International Relations programmes take all four units.

Students on other programmes take different combinations of these units, as well as courses in other departments.

The second year consists of the main core and optional courses in each field of study and is designed to provide the main body of knowledge on a given topic. The final year features more advanced courses reflecting the research specialisms of the academic staff.

With the exception of those enrolled on our joint degree with Economics (LL12), students in their final year take three specialist courses and also write – as the fourth unit – a 9,000 word dissertation based on a piece of original research. This is one of the most demanding, but also rewarding, parts of the degree.

STUDENT VIEW

Alex Pegler, BA Politics The fondest memory of my time at Royal Holloway was conducting dissertation research in Rwanda.

After learning about the horrors of the country’s 1994 genocide in my second year, I developed an instant fascination with the East African nation. I secured a bursary from the College’s Helen Shackleton Fund and travelled there in summer 2013 to gather data for my final-year thesis. The trip provided a fascinating insight into a people’s struggle to recover from the trauma of one of humanity’s darkest periods.

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Degree structures This table sets out the basic structures of our various degrees. Each year students take a different combination of four full-year units, or the equivalent. Please see page 10 for an explanation of ‘Politics’ and ‘International Relations’ units.

Year 1 BA Politics Introduction to Politics and Government

BA International Relations

Introduction to International Relations Classic and Contemporary Readings in Politics and International Relations Introduction to Research Methods in Politics and International Relations

BA Politics & International Relations Introduction to Politics and Government

BA Politics with Philosophy

Classic and Contemporary Readings in Politics and International Relations Introduction to Research Methods in Politics and International Relations Fundamental Questions in Philosophy Introduction to Politics and Government

BA/BSc Politics, Philosophy & Economics

Fundamental Questions in Philosophy Principles of Economics Quantitative Methods in Economics Introduction to Politics and Government

BSc Economics, Politics International Relations

Introduction to International Relations Principles of Economics Quantitative Methods in Economics Introduction to Politics and Government Introduction to International Relations

BSc Geography, Politics & International Relations

Human Geography I: Cultures, Economies, History (½ unit) Human Geography II: Politics, Society, Development & Environment (½ unit) Geographical Techniques (½ unit) Geographical Research & Field Training I (½ unit) Introduction to International Relations History and Meanings Part 1 (½ unit)

BA History & International Relations

British Social and Economic History 1945-97 (½ unit) 1 x International Relations unit 1 x History unit

Fundamental Questions in Philosophy Introduction to Modern Philosophy (½ unit)

BA Politics & International Relations and Philosophy

Introduction to Ancient Philosophy (½ unit) Classic and Contemporary Readings in Politics and International Relations 1 x Politics or International Relations unit

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Department of Politics & International Relations

Year 2

Year 3

3 x Politics units

3 x Politics units, including a dissertation

1 other unit in PIR or from another department

1 other unit in PIR or from another department

International Relations Theory 2 x International Relations units 1 other unit in PIR or from another department

3 x International Relations units, including a dissertation 1 other unit in PIR or from another department

International Relations Theory

2 x Politics units

2 x Politics units

2 x International Relations units

1 x International Relations unit

The dissertation will count as either a Politics or an International Relations unit

3 x Politics units

3 x Politics units, including a dissertation

1 x Philosophy unit

1 x Philosophy unit

1 x Politics unit 1 x Philosophy unit

Advanced Seminar and Dissertation in PPE

Macroeconomics

3 units covering at least 2 subject areas

Microeconomics Microeconomics Macroeconomics 2 x Politics or International Relations units

Geographical Techniques II (½ unit) Geographical Field Training (½ unit) 3 units with at least 1 but no more than 2 units in either subject area

International Relations Theory Independent Essay (½ unit) International Economic Relations (½ unit) 1 x History unit 1 x International Relations unit

2 x Economics units 2 x Politics or International Relations units

A dissertation in either subject area 3 units with at least 1 but no more than 2 units in either subject area

Either: 2 x International Relations units, including a dissertation 2 x History units

Or: 2 x International Relations units 1 x Group 3 History unit, comprising a taught course and a dissertation

Introduction to European Philosophy 1: From Kant to Hegel (½ unit) Mind and World (½ unit) 1 x Philosophy unit 2 x Politics or International Relations units, at least one of which must be from: International Relations Theory

2 x Philosophy units 2 x Politics or International Relations units

Contemporary Political Theory Modern Political Thought

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Course options in Politics and International Relations You will be able to choose from a wide range of subjects taught by the department in your second and third years. Depending on their focus, some of our courses are designated as ‘Politics’ units, others as ‘International Relations’ units, and others can be designated as either ‘Politics’ or ‘International Relations’ units.

Focus of unit

Year 2

Year 3 Advanced Seminar in British Politics Comparative Democracy and Elections

Contemporary Political Theory Democracy In Britain Introduction to Political Communication

Politics

Modern Political Thought Political Behaviour The Politics of Human Rights

Issues in Democratic Theory Political Sociology (½ unit) The Politics of the Internet and the Information Society (½ unit) The Politics of Toleration (½ unit) Radical Political Theory Social Justice: From Theory to Practice (½ unit) Visual Politics (½ unit) Young People’s Politics (½ unit) Dissertation [compulsory] Contemporary Middle East Politics

European Integration Since 1945

Politics/International Relations

The Politics of Migration

Issues in Contemporary Europe The Making of Modern South Asia The Politics of Africa Politics in Action [placement experience] The Politics of Modern Germany Advanced Readings in Global Studies (½ unit) The British in India: A Social and Political History

International Relations

Empire and Decolonization

Comparative Foreign Policy (½ unit)

International Organisations

Defence in the post-Cold War World

International Political Economy International Relations Theory

Gendered Communities: Women and Nationalism in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia

Introduction to Global Studies

Global Crime

War and Security in World Politics

Statecraft and Diplomacy (½ unit) Terrorism and Counterterrorism (½ unit) US Foreign Policy: History, Ideas and Cases War and its Aftermath (½ unit)

Please note: not all courses are available every year.

STUDENT VIEW

Georgina Lee, BA Politics & International Relations The great thing about studying Politics and International Relations at Royal Holloway is that it gives you the chance to try a bit of everything – from global crime to political philosophy, from nuclear war to Socrates. It’s this variety that has introduced me to new topics I never expected to study.

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Department of Politics & International Relations

Teaching and assessment Our teaching varies across courses but is carried out principally by means of one lecture and one parallel seminar per course per week. Most third-year courses consist of a single two-hour seminar per week.

Seminars are compulsory and there are usually 15–20 students per group. The seminar may consist of a presentation on a prepared topic by a student followed by a general discussion guided by the seminar teacher, but a variety of other teaching styles are used.

marks. The final mark for a full-year course unit is usually based on three or four pieces of work, including an end-of-year exam.

First-year results qualify students for entry to the second year but do not contribute to the final degree award. The second- and final-year results do contribute to the overall degree result, with the final year counting double that of the second year.

Facilities

We always encourage our students to discuss their work with members of staff. All course tutors have office hours when they are available to meet with students on a regular basis.

Royal Holloway’s two extensive libraries are an essential part of the College’s support for students. Most books on politics and international relations are housed in the Bedford Library, located at the heart of campus. It provides all the facilities expected of a modern university library in an excellent environment: comfortable reader spaces, easy access to books and journals, and the very latest technology. You can also use the libraries in central London, and will have borrowing privileges and full remote access to all the electronic resources available from the University of London’s Senate House Libraries, which houses some 14million items.

Most course units are formally assessed by some combination of coursework and unseen examination. In some cases coursework does not formally count towards the final mark awarded, but submission is nevertheless required. Coursework can consist of essays, presentations and/or assessed seminar participation

As well as the libraries, we encourage students to utilise IT facilities in support of their learning and research. The Computer Centre has a wide range of computing facilities, and is open 24-hours. There are numerous computer rooms across the campus and a wireless network that includes lecture theatres.

Students take the equivalent of four full-year course units each year, with courses running across 20 teaching weeks and half-unit courses running across ten weeks. This means a commitment of about eight hours of formal engagement with the academic staff and other students every week, leaving a minimum of 30 hours each week for the important private study and research in preparation for seminars and coursework.

STUDENT VIEW

Chan Ching, BA Politics & International Relations Studying revolved around four lectures and four seminars each week. Keeping on top of the reading was hard work, but it was essential in order to get most out of the programme. When it came to coursework, I always talked to my lecturers and seminar tutors before starting my essays. They were so helpful and friendly, and gave me invaluable advice on how to structure my work and develop my arguments. They made me realise I could actually do more than I thought I could!

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Studying abroad The Junior Year Abroad (JYA) programme

Non-EU Exchange Partners

The department welcomes students who wish to spend a semester or an academic year studying Politics and International Relations in Britain.

Australia

The Study Abroad (student exchange) programme All students in the Department of Politics & International Relations have the chance to study abroad as part of their degree or as an additional year.

Royal Holloway currently has full exchange agreements with the institutions listed right. If you are a student at one of these institutions, you may be able to apply to come to us on an exchange programme. However, you will need to direct your application through the Student Exchange Co-ordinator at your own university. The College also has Study Abroad agreements with a number of other institutions in the USA, Brazil, Japan and Korea, and students from universities other than these may also apply to come to Royal Holloway as a visiting student by applying through our International Office. Find out more at: royalholloway.ac.uk/international The European Studies year abroad For European Studies students, the third year of their four-year degree is spent in a relevant European country, and if they have chosen to study a second language it may be possible to split the year abroad between two countries. The School of Modern Languages, Literatures & Cultures and the European Studies programme have links with prestigious institutions throughout Europe. This year abroad greatly enhances language skills and cultural understanding. There are several options open to students: spend a year at a European university or business school; work as an intern at EU institutions such as the European Parliament or Commission; apply for assistantships at educational establishments; or obtain professional work experience abroad.

Further information is available in the European Studies brochure.

Flinders University University of Melbourne University of Queensland University of Sydney University of Western Australia Canada Concordia University, Montreal University of Alberta, Edmonton University of Ottawa University of Toronto China & Hong Kong Shanghai International Studies University University of Hong Kong Japan Keio University Ritsumeikan University Waseda University Korea Korea University Mexico Universidad de las AmĂŠricas Puebla, Mexico New Zealand Victoria University of Wellington Singapore National University of Singapore USA Arizona State University (ASU) Boston College George Washington University Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts Tulane University, New Orleans University of California University of Florida University of Massachusetts, Amherst Washington College, Maryland

STUDENT VIEW

Giulia Scarani, BA Politics & International Relations I spent the second year of my degree at the University of Queensland, Australia. The approach to the subject was very different, and I was able learn about the region’s politics from a completely new perspective. While there, I also took part in a number of community and extra-curricular activities, including a student-led project providing microfinance to businesses in Kenya. Going on exchange was a real life-changing experience!

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Department of Politics & International Relations

Your future career The study of Politics and International Relations provides you with a wide range of important transferable skills, enabling you to approach problems in a rigorous, analytical and critical way, and to communicate clearly and concisely in both speech and writing. Our graduates leave us with skills and knowledge that not only makes them attractive to employers in a broad spectrum of careers, but prepares them for further advanced study and research.

90% of our most recent graduates* are, six months after graduation, in employment or enhancing their skills with further study. Some of the careers that our recent graduates have gone into are shown right.

The Department of Politics & International Relations works in partnership with the College’s dedicated Careers Service to enhance our students’ employability and prepare them for the choices ahead. Our students are offered tailored opportunities across the year such as a part-time jobs fair, a wide variety of skills workshops, online sector-specific resources and a new series of relevant themed careers weeks, including ‘Finance Week’ and ‘Charities and Public Sector Week’. More details are available at: royalholloway.ac.uk/careers When our graduates move into the world of work, we like to keep in touch wherever possible, and we are always delighted to hear how their chosen careers are progressing: royalholloway.ac.uk/alumni *KIS, 2014

law

further study or research

journalism

teaching conference co-ordinators

marketing/public relations

MA

MPs’ assistants

business analysis

accountancy charities

fundraising and campaigns

Staff vieW

Dr Tom Dyson, Politics in Action Co-ordinator Politics in Action: Experiencing real-life politics Our ‘Politics in Action’ placement scheme is an assessed, full-year optional course that our undergraduate students can take in their third year of study. It provides a fantastic extra dimension to the study of politics by combining experience in a workplace environment with scholarly reflection on the placement’s organisational, professional and policy contexts.

We organise placements in settings such as Parliament, local government, NGOs, campaigning and activist organisations, political parties, media organisations, and the policy or communications divisions of local companies. The department has a number of placements it can offer students; however, we also encourage students to arrange their own placement

GRADUATE VIEW

Oleg Giberstein, BA Politics & International Relations Studying Politics and International Relations at Royal Holloway was not only a stimulating and fantastic personal and intellectual experience but also opened up many doors for me. I had the chance to spend a year studying in California, later went on to graduate study at the University of Oxford and am now working as an analyst for Citigroup London.

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Other information Languages for All

College Open Days and Applicant Visit Days

Students in the Department of Politics & International Relations also have access to ‘Languages for All’, a programme of language courses run by the School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures, offering a range of optional (extracurricular) courses in a number of modern foreign languages. Further information is available at: royalholloway.ac.uk/languagesforall

Royal Holloway’s Open Days and Applicant Visit Days offer a unique opportunity for prospective students to come and see the College. You will have the chance to meet our students and teaching staff, attend talks on the study of politics and international relations and get a taste of what university life is really like. Our student ambassadors will also be on hand take you on tours of the campus, tell you about life at Royal Holloway and answer any questions from a student’s viewpoint. Dates of Open Days are available from our website at: royalholloway. ac.uk/opendays. If you apply to study with us and are offered a place, we will invite you to one of our Applicant Visit Days.

Peer-guidance scheme Small groups of new students are allocated a current student volunteer Peer Guide. Peer Guides are available by email a couple of weeks before you join Royal Holloway and meet with you during Welcome Week. You can keep in contact with your Peer Guide throughout the year and most students find it a reassuring network to have.

Student societies Every student in the department is invited to become a member of the Politics and International Relations Society (PIRSoc), one of the most active student societies on campus. PIRSoc organises a variety of social events, pizza nights, debates, international trips and visiting-speaker talks. The society also organises one of the most successful National Model UN (NMUN) teams in the world, each year recruiting students from all departments to compete in the NMUN conference in New York. Royal Holloway’s students won the Outstanding Delegation Award in 2012, 2013 and 2014, placing them among the top ten teams at these events.

We recognise that students from overseas may not always be able to visit on one of our Open Days or Applicant Visit Days. If you cannot attend on one of these days, then please let us know and we will arrange for you to visit us on another occasion.

You can also always take a virtual campus tour here: royalholloway.ac.uk/virtualtour

Students in the department also spearheaded the creation of a Diplomatic Society (DipSoc). It organises debates, visiting speaker events, and trips to London embassies and other institutions such as NATO headquarters in Brussels. It has also sent teams to Model UN competitions in both the UK and Europe.

Staff-Student Committee We actively encourage our students to get involved in shaping the department’s provision of courses. To this end we have a Staff-Student Committee, whose aims are to maintain and foster communications within the department, to receive and to discuss matters of concern to both students and staff, and to provide a formal means of communication between students and the Departmental Board. The Committee has regular meetings throughout the year and students are encouraged to volunteer as representatives on the Committee or to pass on their views and concerns to representatives prior to meetings. A minimum of two undergraduates from each year group sit on the Committee along with members of the academic staff.

Members of Royal Holloway’s 2013 student delegation to the NMUN celebrate their Outstanding Delegation Award

STUDENT VIEW

Emily Westwell, BA Politics & International Relations Participating in the New York National Model United Nations Conference with the Politics and International Relations Society (PIRSoc) was a truly extraordinary experience. It sparked my interest in the society, and I continued to be involved with it throughout my time at Royal Holloway. Being part of PIRSoc brought my degree to life, providing a forum for political discussion as well as the opportunity to get actively involved in global issues, from the United Nations to poverty reduction.

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Department of Politics & International Relations

Academic staff and their research interests Nicholas Allen, BA (Warwick), MA, PhD (Essex)

Alister Miskimmon, BA (Stirling), PhD (Birmingham)

British politics, in particular ethics regulation, party politics and the political executive

German politics, European integration and security studies, strategic narratives in international politics

Michael Bacon, BSc (Econ.), MSc, PhD (LSE)

Lara J. Nettelfield, AB (UC-Berkeley), MA, MPhil, PhD (Columbia)

Contemporary political theory, in particular political liberalism, pragmatism and theories of democracy Giacomo Benedetto, BA (Sussex), MSc, PhD (LSE) Legislative politics, EU budgetary policy, political parties, European elections, Euroscepticism

Human rights, transitional justice, international law, social movements, technology and development Ben O’Loughlin, BA (Northumbria), MSc (Warwick), PhD (Oxford)

Michelle Bentley, BSc, MSc, PhD (Southampton)

International political communication, particularly the relationship between media, war, security and conflict

The politics of extreme threats, weapons of mass destruction, US foreign policy, international terrorism

Rebecca Roache, BA, MA (Leeds), MPhil, PhD (Cambridge)

Andrew Bowie, MA (Cambridge), PhD (UEA)

Metaphysics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of psychiatry, applied ethics

Modern German philosophy, the relationship of European to analytical philosophy, literature, music

Chris Rumford, BSc (Middlesex), MSc (Birkbeck), PhD (City)

Andrew Chadwick, BA (Birmingham), MSc, PhD (LSE)

Globalization, cosmopolitanism, borders and spaces, Turkey-EU relations

Comparative political communication, Internet politics, e-governance, Internet governance and regulation

Jonathan Seglow, BA (Oxford), MSc (LSE), PhD (Manchester)

Tom Dyson, BA (KCL), MSc, PhD (LSE)

Contemporary political theory, in particular liberalism, multiculturalism, religious accommodation, special duties

International relations theory, European defence and security, military alliances

Anne Sheppard, MA, DPhil (Oxford)

Julia Gallagher, BSc (Manchester), MSc, PhD (SOAS) African politics, critical international relations theory Neil Gascoigne, BEng (Leeds), MPhil, PhD (Cambridge) Philosophy, in particular pragmatism, metaphilosophy, autobiography, epistemology Sandra Halperin, MA, PhD (UCLA) The sociology of international relations, global and comparative political development, Middle East politics Oliver Heath, BA (Sussex), MA, PhD (Essex) Comparative politics, voting behaviour, political participation, research methods in the social sciences

Ancient Greek philosophy, especially Neoplatonism, and ancient literary criticism James Sloam, BA (Sussex), PhD (Birmingham) German politics, political parties, European social democracy, youth participation, civic education Kaat Smets, MA (VU, Amsterdam), MRes PhD (EUI, Florence) Political behaviour, elections, political socialisation, generational politics, comparative politics, research methods Henry-Somers Hall, BA, MA, PhD (Warwick) German and French philosophy, in particular Kant, Hegel, Deleuze, Merleau-Ponty and Sartre Cristian Vaccari, BA, MA (Bologna), PhD (Milan)

Anja P. Jakobi, MA (FU Berlin), PhD (Bielefeld), Habil (Darmstadt)

Digital media and political communication in comparative perspective, social media, political engagement

World Society research, international organizations, global crime, global governance, global public policy

Nathan Widder, BA (Johns Hopkins), MSc (LSE), PhD (Essex)

John Mattausch, BA (Warwick), PhD (Edinburgh)

Western political thought and philosophy, contemporary Continental philosophy

British-Gujarati history, ethnicity and migration, chance and societal change

Department of Politics & International Relations

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Royal Holloway, University of London Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX T: +44 (0)1784 434455 royalholloway.ac.uk

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Department of Politics & International Relations