A taste of politics
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
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Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 09 Apr 2025End Date: 09 Apr 2025Wed (Evening): 19:00 - 20:30OnlineFull fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Touching upon a broad range of topics, the session is intended to both ‘build your appetite’ on exploring the world of politics more broadly and serve as a taster of our politics courses, from ‘Global Issues’ and ‘Ways into Advanced Political Studies over ‘Current Affairs’ to 'American Politics for beginners'.
What will we cover?
Overall, we will discuss the many manifestations and implications of the ongoing global ‘tectonic’ shift from a global political and economic system dominated by the West to what looks to be increasingly pluralistic if dominated by Asia, particularly China. Concretely, we will discuss the many ways in which we see this shift challenging not only political and economic ideas, but also international and national norms and practices as they evolved since the early 19th century. There is plenty to discuss!
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- understand better how global and local politics are both connected and reflects one another
- connect global history and politics in a broad way.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory course and is aimed at beginners, so no previous skills or experience are required. A willingness to engage in debate, however, will help our discussions.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be taught online using a mixture of presentation via powerpoint and topical discussions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no extra costs, all you need to bring is a note pad and pen if you want to take notes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please see the politics and current affairs section other politics courses, dates and further details. Your tutor will also share with you a pamphlet.
Martin Ottovay Jorgensen is a historian by education (BA, MA and PhD in Denmark and Belgium). As a teacher in higher ediucation and further education, he has taught courses on world and global history; African history, Asian history, imperial and colonial history; the history of international organisations; peace and conflict; global issues and international relations as well as how memory is an active dimension in community-building, society, politics, international relations, conflict as well as corporate branding. At City Lit, Martin heads the Department of History, Politics, Philosophy and Sience and teaches across history and politics. He strives to promote history as a socially relevant way of thinking and to give each class and course a horizon beyond itself. Perhaps more importantly, Martin sees the active promotion of robust historical thinking as a democratic practice of vital importance to both the workings of our democracy and the embracing and valuing our multi-cultural and diverse society.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.