[Deep Thought]

I still haven't decided what i want to do yet, im currently doing a bridging course at Murdoch university, and trying to figure out what is best for me, someone I know has suggested that I'd probably be best in either social science, politics or finance.

So I am just wondering if any freshmens, or anyone studying politics for that matter can tell me what to expect from a politics degree, what its like, and what uni you are studying at, and whether you have enjoyed your expereince at that university or not.

regards,
DT

[Awara_Jawaan]

Politics courses vary from university to university. Look at the modules and see the reading lists, go out and pick up a book and see if it interests you - this is the best strategy.

Secondly, a lot of politics courses look at political thought - old authors such as Hobbes, Tocqueville and so on to provide a framework for the development of political thought, theories of governance, how to govern, the role of civil society etc. But in tying these older ideals and political philosophies to the modern age, you are also going to be offered many papers on international politics today, in a globalized world where states are not the only actors. You are likely to study many concepts such as realism/liberalism which may tie into historical developments (such as the Cold War). You'll quickly realise that nothing is a given. And perceptions of conflicts and positions on the international stage often portrayed in black and white - you will realize are only touching the surface, and sometimes not even that!

Politics will help you uncover power interplays, it'll make you question assumptions we take for granted too. You'll acquire an analytical approach and realize the many different ways of looking at things. Be prepared to write lots of essays though... sometimes structuring them is the hardest thing and getting your thoughts in an order and developing an argument. I love politics as the scope of analysis is so vast (political economy, feminism, state actors, international institutions, study of democracy, identity politics, security/terrorism, development).

[IanDangerously]

I'm doing BSc Business and Politics at Aston, and the politics modules are pretty good tbh ... first year just looks at a lot of general concepts, a lot of economics, and some debates and controversies in British politics.

[liamb]

Think what sort of politics you want to study. Do you want to focus on domestic or global (then look into International Relations) or do you want to combine it with Economics. Probably best to think what you want to do with it after. All three options have real world value.