A detailed understanding of Philosophy enhances the study and practice of Politics. Philosophy is open-ended, questioning and creative, and also involves the critical reading, analysis and understanding of great philosophical texts. Politics shares these features, but also adds more elements of factual knowledge, for instance about the workings of institutions.Year one concentrates on the development of core philosophical and political knowledge and skills through required modules, while year two consolidates this background and allows some level of choice. The final year allows you to opt to take modules from a wide range of areas and to become acquainted with recently developed or emerging areas of research in the disciplines.You will become confident in working with abstract concepts and analysing real political practices, and develop skills in analytical, critical and creative thinking. Your presentational and writing abilities will be developed to a level consistent with progression to postgraduate study and/or graduate-level employment. You will develop a number of core transferable skills such as the ability to reconstruct and critically assess arguments, the ability to build a case for a conclusion, and time-management skills.