- UCAS course code
- LT22
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course description
The BA Politics and Japanese course will enable you to explore world politics and gain an intercultural perspective that is at a premium in today's context of globalised studies and career paths.
Delivered jointly by the School of Social Sciences and the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, this course offers flexibility through a combination of core and optional politics course units and units in your chosen language and culture.
Language study offers more than just language fluency. You'll explore the culture, society, history, politics and literature of Japan, helping you develop intercultural awareness and communication skills, both highly valued by employers.
You'll benefit from excellent teaching, student support and cutting-edge study facilities, as well as the vibrancy and cultural diversity of Manchester itself, Western Europe's most multilingual city.
Studying abroad at partner universities in Japan gives you an unforgettable and invaluable experience.
Aims
- Develop strong analytical skills and understanding of key areas of global politics, including European/international politics, international relations, global security and international development.
- Develop the linguistic skills and cultural knowledge to access and engage fully with political, historical and cultural issues in your chosen language.
- Offer an intercultural perspective on your studies and future career, facilitated by the possibility of studying a second language - either as a beginner or at a more advanced level.
Special features
Residence abroad
You can study for up to a year in Japan to improve your language skills in a native-speaker environment.
Collaborations and partnerships
We have links with language and cultural institutions across the city including HOME - international and contemporary art, theatre and film.
Societies
There are over 30 international and language-related student societies offering cultural activities and experiences.
Teaching and learning
You'll learn through formal lectures, seminars and tutorials, spending 12 hours a week in formal study sessions.
For every hour of university study, you will need to complete a further 2 to 3 hours of independent study.
This could be spent reading, producing written work, revising for examinations or working in the University's Language Centre.
Coursework and assessment
You will be assessed through:
- written and oral examinations;
- presentations;
- coursework (including web-based and library research, linguistic fieldwork and data collection);
- a dissertation based on a research topic of your choice.
Course content for year 1
In Year 1 you will choose two from the following three courses as your core Politics units (40 credits):
- Introduction to Comparative Politics;
- Introduction to International Politics;
- Introduction to Political Theory.
Sample optional units include (20 credits):
Introduction to Political Theory;
- Politics of the Global Economy;
- Power and the State;
- Making Sense of Politics.
You will also study an additional 60-80 credits of language and culture course units in your modern language subject.
You will take only the language units relevant to your level of language in each year of study.
Course content for year 2
- Questions about International Politics;
- The Politics of Globalisation;
- The Politics of Development;
- Ideals of Social Justice;
- The Politics of (In)Security;
- Challenges for Democratic Politics;
- What is Europe?;
- Environment Politics;
- Chinese Politics Today;
- The Politics of Policy Making.
You will also study an additional 60-80 credits of language and culture course units in your modern language subject.
Course content for year 3
Year 3 is spent abroad under approved conditions at a partner university:
Chuo University, Dokkyo University, Fukuoka Women's University, Hiroshima University, Hitotsubashi University, Hokkaido University, Kanagawa University, Kansai Gaidai University, Keio University, Kobe University, Kyoto University, Kwansei Gakuin University, Meiji University, Meiji Gakuin University, Nanzan University, Ochanomizu University, Oita University, Osaka University, Rikkyo University, Ritsumeikan University, Saitama University, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Waseda University, and Yamagata University.
Course content for year 4
- Politics of the European Union;
- Africa and Global Politics;
- Terrorism and Political Violence;
- Comparative Protest Politics;
- War Memories and Reconciliation in East Asia;
- Borders, Identities and Citizenship;
- News Media and International Crisis;
- Peace Building;
- Gender, Sex and Politics;
- Children, Family and Social Justice.
You will also study an additional 60-80 credits of language and culture course units in your modern language subject.
Course units for year 4
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese Language 6 | JAPA51060 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Dissertation in Japanese Studies | JAPA30000 | 40 | Optional |
| Bodies, Sex and Gender in Japan | JAPA33071 | 20 | Optional |
| Buddhism in Japan | JAPA33082 | 20 | Optional |
| Japanese Language 5 | JAPA51050 | 20 | Optional |
| The Politics of the European Union | POLI30032 | 20 | Optional |
| The Politics and Philosophy of Nationalism | POLI30191 | 20 | Optional |
| Elections and Voters in Britain | POLI30242 | 20 | Optional |
| Political Morality and Dirty Hands | POLI30271 | 20 | Optional |
| Chinese Politics | POLI30281 | 20 | Optional |
| Displaying 10 of 30 course units for year 4 | |||
| Display all course units for year 4 | |||
Facilities
The University Language Centre is home to language resources, including a new interpreting suite and purpose-built recording rooms.
The Centre also offers multilingual word processing, language learning software, off-air recording and AV duplication, multilingual terrestrial and satellite TV, and extensive support and advice for learners.
Learn more on the Facilities page.