POL1049 : Power and Inequality: How to Study Global Politics ... and Change the World
POL1049 : Power and Inequality: How to Study Global Politics ... and Change the World
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Professor Derek Bell
- Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
• to introduce different approaches to studying power and inequalities in Politics and International Relations
• to examine the relationships between power and inequality
• to support the transition to university by developing discipline-specific study skills
• to present lecturers as researchers and promote the value of research-led teaching
• to examine the relationship between research and practice, and encourage reflection on volunteering opportunities and careers
Outline Of Syllabus
The module is organised around four ‘big’ questions:
• What are inequalities? (conceptual, descriptive)
• Why are there inequalities? (explanatory)
• What should we do about inequalities? (normative)
• How can we do something about inequalities? (practical)
We will distinguish different types of inequalities, such as economic, political, and social inequalities, as well as inequalities related to gender, race, disability, social class, nationality, religion, and sexuality (among others). We will examine different theories of power, which help us to explain why inequalities exist. We will consider moral and political arguments for and against reducing inequalities. We will learn about some of the things that people (including researchers, politicians, activists, and many others) are doing to tackle inequalities … and change the world!
We will introduce students to different approaches to studying and addressing inequalities through a series of encounters with researchers and practitioners, who will discuss their work.
We will also support the transition to university through weekly pre-, post- and in-class activities that develop and practice key study skills, such as practical search, reading and note-making strategies, critical analysis, argumentation, planning, drafting and editing written work, referencing and avoiding plagiarism, and assessment and feedback literacy.
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
The module will provide students with:
• an understanding of different types of inequalities, alternative accounts of power, and the relations among them
• an ability to recognise different approaches to the study of power and inequalities in Politics and International Relations
• an ability to critically analyse proposals for addressing inequalities
• an understanding of the value of research-led teaching
• an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between research and practice, as well as knowledge of inequality-related volunteering and career opportunities
Intended Skill Outcomes
The module will provide students with:
• an ability to recognise and use effective search, reading and note-making strategies
• an ability to present and critically analyse arguments
• an understanding of how to plan, draft and edit written work
• an ability to reference correctly and avoid plagiarism
• an understanding of how to interpret assessment criteria and make effective use of feedback
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | In person lecture. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | In person lecture. |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 10 | 5:00 | 50:00 | Weekly pre- and post-class exercises and activities, including guided reading and audio/video material. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Assessment surgeries |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 117:00 | 117:00 | Further reading, independent research, assessment preparation and completion. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The interactive lectures will introduce students to key approaches to the study of power and inequality, provide encounters with researchers and practitioners, and develop discipline-specific study skills. The structured research and reading activities will help students to develop their understanding of key approaches to the study of power and inequality as well as practicing key academic skills.
Independent study will enable students to further develop their knowledge and skills, as well as improving their portfolio of weekly exercises and preparing for the exam. Assessment surgeries will be provided to support students to complete their weekly exercises and prepare for the exam.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 50 | MCQ and short answer exam. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | 50 | Set of weekly exercises to be completed pre-, post- and in-class. There will be a combination of short answer and MCQ questions, which will be submitted and marked using Canvas quizzes. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The weekly problem solving exercises assess student learning against knowledge and skills outcomes as the module progresses. The exam assesses overall learning, especially understanding of the relationships among approaches studied throughout the module and the ability to combine key discipline-specific skills.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- POL1049's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- POL1049's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2025 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, staffing changes, and student feedback. Module information for the 2026/27 entry will be published here in early-April 2026. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.