Introduction to Politics Course - The University of Kent

Prepare for further study of politics at degree level, with an introduction to political philosophy, democracy and ideology.

This course will facilitate your understanding of the contested nature of politics

This ExpertTrack gives you a broad introduction to the study of politics. You will be equipped with a basic understanding of political science, political philosophy, and the machinery of government.

You will consider how political systems are formed, examine political ideologies and look at the role of the state and the nation.

Gain an understanding of how politics works

This first course will equip you with the knowledge and skills for further study. You’ll be introduced to political science, political philosophy and critical theory. You’ll then study the key concepts of political ideology, including liberalism, conservatism and socialism, as well as feminism.

Understanding politics from the individual to an international scale

You’ll take an in-depth look at democracy, the machinery of government, and the political economy and globalisation. You’ll then investigate identity politics, looking at economic individualism from the context of class-based politics. Key texts will introduce you to important theories and arguments from the history of political studies, as well as key figures in the discipline.

Over the course, you’ll gain insight and understanding of how politics works on a global scale, as well as look at different models of how countries are governed, for example by comparing political systems with presidents and prime ministers at the helm.

By the end of the ExpertTrack, you will not only have a deeper understanding of the complex world of politics, but will also be equipped for further study, and have some insight into what a degree in politics entails.

Key skills you will learn

• Critical awareness, critical thinking, and critical analysis
• Academic reading, writing, and listening skills
• Independent study skills
• An understanding of the norms and demands of subject-specific seminars and lectures in a UK context

ExpertTrack course overview

• Understanding Politics
  Equip yourself for further study with this introduction to politics.
• How Politics Works: From the Individual to an International Scale
  Prepare yourself for a degree in politics.

How ExpertTracks work

Join an ExpertTrack to master new skills in your chosen specialist area. Work through a series of topic-focused courses at your own pace, and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate award that proves your expertise.

Who will you learn with?

Chris Henry

Chris teaches Philosophy, Politics and Sociology on the International Foundation Programme at the University of Kent. His research is in the ethics of political resistance and the idea of truth.

World-class learning with

The University of Kent

The University of Kent, the UK’s European University, is one of the country’s most dynamic universities. Established in 1965, it now has 19,850 students studying at its various campuses.

Start learning today - free 7-day trial

After your free trial you can:

• Pay $39 per month to keep learning online
• Have complete control over your subscription; you can cancel any time
• Work at your own pace and set your own deadlines at every stage
• Only pay while you’re learning; the subscription will cancel automatically when you finish
• Complete online assessments to test your knowledge and prove your skills
• Earn digital course certificates and a final award that you can share online, with potential employers, and your professional network
• Keep access to the content of courses you complete even after your subscription ends

Learning outcomes

By the end of the ExpertTrack, you’ll be able to:

• Describe the overall elements of the ExpertTrack.
• Identify the different modes of the study of politics.
• Identify the importance of models and theoretical frameworks.
• Investigate Heywood's typology of political models.
• Assess a number of ways in which power operates in politics.
• Understand the logic of comparative politics.
• Assess a range of approaches to forming and classifying political systems.
• Explain several descriptions of the state.
• Evaluate the merits of different ideologies.