Politics

The Course

In their first year, students take one paper which is a broad introduction to the politics and government of Britain since 1945; France in the fourth and fifth Republics; the USA since the New Deal; introductory Political Theory, and a study of European fascism.

After the first year, there are no compulsory papers, but students have to study two out of Comparative Government; British Politics and Government; Theory of Politics; International Politics since 1900; Political Sociology. (Many students choose to study more than two of those papers, but the decision is entirely their own.)

There is then a wide set of options, including: Political Theory papers, either ancient or modern; Marxism; recent political developments in Britain or the USA or Japan or China; problems of government in the ex-Communist countries; and politics of developing countries. There are three options in International Relations, and three in Sociology.

Teaching in Politics is mainly conducted in tutorials in which two students discuss the previous week’s essays with the tutor. Later in the course, usually in the third year, there are also classes and seminars involving larger numbers, in which students and tutors both present work for discussion.

Very few PPE students have studied Politics before they enter the College, but almost all read the subject for all three years.

Careers

After university, the most common careers pursued are finance, the media, law, and research degrees. At least one Exeter student each year has been awarded a major scholarship to study in the USA, and several more have successfully pursued doctoral degrees in Oxford.

Teaching and Research Staff