- UCAS course code
- LT26
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course description
The BA Politics and Arabic 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 the countries in which Arabic is spoken, 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 several Arabic-speaking countries gives you an unforgettable and invaluable experience.
The course unit details listed below are those you may choose to study as part of this programme and are referred to as optional units. These are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this programme. Although language units may show here as optional, they are a mandatory part of your modern languages degree and you will take the units relevant to your level of language in each year of study. It Is compulsory to study language at all levels of your modern languages degree.
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 and/or work for up to a year in a country or countries relevant to your chosen language(s) to improve your communicative language skills in a native-speaker environment.
Collaborations and partnerships
The University has links with language and cultural institutions across the city, including:
- Instituto Cervantes - a centre for Spanish culture;
- HOME - international and contemporary art, theatre and film;
- Manchester China Institute - promoting mutual understanding in UK-China relations through research, teaching, and activities;
- Alliance Française - home of French language and culture.
Societies
The University is home to over 30 international and language-related student societies offering a breadth of cultural activities and experiences.
Engage in cultural activities
Manchester is a multicultural city that provides excellent opportunities for contact with speakers of Arabic and the pursuit of Arabic and Islamic interests outside of the University (including public lectures, societies, cultural events and more).
Teaching and learning
You'll learn through a mixture of formal lectures, seminars and tutorials, spending approximately 12 hours a week in formal study sessions.
For every hour of university study, you will be expected to complete a further 2-3 hours of independent study.
You will also need to study during the holiday periods.
The individual study component 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 in various ways, including:
- written and oral examinations;
- presentations;
- coursework (which may include library research, linguistic fieldwork and data collection, or web-based research);
- in your final year, a dissertation based on a research topic of your choice.
Assessment methods vary from course unit to course unit - see individual course unit listings for more information.
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.
You may additionally choose one optional unit in Politics include (20 credits). Sample optional units include:
- Introduction to Political Theory;
- Politics of the Global Economy;
- Power and the State;
- Making Sense of Politics.
You will also study an additional 60-60 credits of language and culture course units in your modern language subject.
Course units for year 1
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 |
---|---|---|---|
History and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa | MEST10711 | 20 | Mandatory |
Arabic Language 1 | MEST51011 | 20 | Mandatory |
Arabic Language 2 | MEST51022 | 20 | Mandatory |
The History and Sociopolitics of Palestine/Israel (1882-1967) | MEST10042 | 20 | Optional |
Introduction to Islam | MEST10061 | 20 | Optional |
Cultural Anthropology of the Middle East and North Africa | MEST10092 | 20 | Optional |
Introduction to Comparative Politics | POLI10202 | 20 | Optional |
Making Sense of Politics | POLI10302 | 20 | Optional |
British Politics: Power and the State | POLI10401 | 20 | Optional |
Politics of the Global Economy | POLI10502 | 20 | Optional |
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Course content for year 2
In Year 2 you will choose from a selection of Politics units (40-60 credits), including:
- 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 units for year 2
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 |
---|---|---|---|
Arabic Language 3 | MEST51031 | 20 | Mandatory |
Arabic Language 4 | MEST51042 | 20 | Mandatory |
Introduction to Post Colonial Arabic Literature | MEST20001 | 20 | Optional |
Themes in the Histories of Arab and Jewish Nationalisms | MEST20272 | 20 | Optional |
The Politics of Women and Gender in the Middle East and North Africa | MEST20352 | 20 | Optional |
History of Modern Islamic Thought | MEST20501 | 20 | Optional |
Politics by Numbers | POLI20311 | 20 | Optional |
Security Studies | POLI20332 | 20 | Optional |
Questions About International Politics | POLI20521 | 20 | Optional |
Politics & Society in Britain Since 1940: From Blitz to Brexit | POLI20531 | 20 | Optional |
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Course content for year 3
Year 3 is spent abroad under approved conditions.
Course content for year 4
In Year 4 you will choose from a selection of Politics units (40-60 credits) including:
- 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 |
---|---|---|---|
Media and Business Arabic | MEST30182 | 20 | Mandatory |
Arabic Language 5 | MEST51050 | 20 | Mandatory |
Dissertation in Modern Languages and Cultures | LALC30000 | 40 | Optional |
Contemporary Debates in Islam | MEST30032 | 20 | Optional |
Nature, the Environment and Politics in Modern Arabic Literature | MEST30121 | 20 | Optional |
Community, Memory, Identity: Reading Contemporary Arabic Literature in English Translation | MEST31111 | 20 | Optional |
The Politics of the European Union | POLI30032 | 20 | Optional |
Morality and Markets | POLI30112 | 20 | Optional |
The Politics and Philosophy of Nationalism | POLI30191 | 20 | Optional |
Gender, Sex and Politics | POLI30231 | 20 | Optional |
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Facilities
The University Language Centre is home to language resources, including a new interpreting suite, purpose-built recording rooms, and resources for more than 70 languages.
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 at facilities