Politics

Year 3, Term 2

/ Orla Duffey

Hey everyone,

I hope you all enjoyed the festive period and had lots of fun catching up with friends and family.

I can’t believe it’s term 2 already and that my undergraduate journey at Lancaster is getting closer and closer to the end. How time flashes by at university!!

Term 2 is presenting me with a brand new set of modules to tackle. These are

  • Public Economics (This focuses on the relationship between the economy and the government)
  • International Trade
  • Elections, Voters and Political Parties

I can’t wait to get working on these modules. I am particularly excited for Public Economics, as two modules I took in second year (Applied Economics and Economic Policy) are pretty similar to Public Economics, and those modules were two of my favourites. I am also super excited for my politics module on elections, as I find electoral voting behaviour a fascinating topic, and it is, of course, a crucial part of many political processes. Therefore, I find the need to have an understanding of the topic incredibly important.

I shall keep you updated over the term, as to how these modules are going along, in addition to some exciting events that are happening with the societies I am involved in. But for now, that is it from me. Speak to you soon..

Orla

TIME TO SHINE

/ Orla Duffey

Hi everyone,

I’m Orla, a third year Economics and Politics student here at Lancaster. I’m currently involved with the swimming and water polo club and I am the Co-President of the University Politics Society, so I have got lots to keep me busy. I am also one of the student mentors this year, so any questions about Lancaster life, don’t hesitate to ask. I hope these blog posts from myself and other mentors help you out and maybe we will see you here at Lancaster soon.

It’s around about now that everyone realises it’s go time! Not only are deadlines on the horizon for essays and coursework tests, but week 5 has posed the first big challenge for the swimming team. Week 5 plays host to the British University and College Sports Short Course Swimming Championships in Sheffield and it’s a fantastic meet. It is great to put the first five weeks of training to the test! It’s the first time I’ve done this meet since starting at Lancaster (way back in 2016, how time flies?!) and it went off to a flying start. First up was the 4x50m front crawl relay and I broke the 30 second barrier for 50m front crawl for the first time ever! I could not believe it! Day 2 brought the individual 50m breaststroke and the same event as part of the 4x50m medley relay and I was only 0.4 seconds away from my PB. The third and final day brought the 100m breaststroke and 50m fly. The 100m breaststroke was very tiring and my time was alright, but 50m fly gave me my second PB of the weekend – achieving a time of 33.97 seconds! Couldn’t be prouder to be a part of the university swimming team!

Aside from swimming, my role as Co-President of the university politics society has meant that we’ve been busy hosting the first events of our calendar. We started with a Question-Time style event, where we encourage student panellists from the on-campus political parties to talk about current events. Subjects discussed included Brett Kavanaugh’s appointment to the Supreme Court and the ominous Brexit. That was a fabulous event with lots of lively discussion between panellists and audience alike. We are also hosting a pub-quiz this term (21st November) and some lecture-style events on some super interesting topics including Korea!

On the academic front this term, I have been studying British Foreign Policy since 1945, Health Economics and International Business, in addition to working on my dissertation focusing on the influence of cabinet government in the United States. These modules are predominantly essay-based, with Health Economics having a couple of presentations involved. I actually don’t mind the essay format of assessment. It might take a lot of work, but it means I get to read around the subject a lot and get a good understanding of it. My essay topics this term have included parliament’s role in the making of foreign policy, the use of pay-for-performance to improve the quality of health care and the risks posed to firms who want to operate in different countries.

All in all, it’s been a pretty busy term so far and the halfway point is the opportunity to time to shine and show off what we have been working towards.  That’s all for now guys, I shall update you soon on what the next few weeks have brought me.

Orla

 

 

Starting essays already!?!?

/ Emily Siddall

Introducing me

I’m Emily, I’m 21 years old, and am currently a Masters student studying LLM International Law and International Relations. On this blog I’m going to give you a bit of an insight into what it is like to be a student in the PPR department, and what normal days/weeks look like as a student at Lancaster University. But first, I thought it would be wise to let you know a little bit about me. I studied my undergraduate degree in Politics and International Relations here at Lancaster, and have decided to stay here for my masters as I really enjoyed my time here and didn’t quite want to leave! I’ve played college netball for Bowland throughout at my time at uni, held numerous part time jobs, and also been lucky enough to have three internships during my time here at Lancaster so far. During my spare time, I enjoy going to the  pub with friends, often entailing a few pints and a game of pool, so, this year joining the college pool team was a must (mainly because it’s the perfect excuse for a pub trip).

But now onto the important stuff, a day in the life of a student…

This week I have to say is one of the quieter ones, focusing on starting planning for my essays. For my masters there are no exams, instead 3 x 5,000 word essays are the assignments for my first term. 5,000 sounds a lot right? Well, after a few years of studying your chosen subject, it becomes very easy to reach if not go over a word limit of 5,000, so don’t be put off by that. For my PPR modules, you get to choose my own questions to focus on, which is great as it gives you such flexibility to focus on areas that you have been interested in previously. I have always been interested in social media and its effects on politics, and the Iraq war and the motives behind it have long since been an intrigue of mine. So I have managed to worm these two subjects into each of my essays, the first essay being of the effects of social media on diplomatic practice, and the second being on whether realism can accurately explain the invasion of Iraq. Pretty cool eh? Well, the nerd in me sure thinks so.

Besides essay planning, of course there’s lectures and seminars I have to attend. My current timetable this term I must admit is very quiet, requiring lots of self-study, reading plenty of books and articles, and frequent study trips to the library or computer rooms on campus. Fun right?! Well, 7 hours of lectures/seminars a week isn’t actually all too bad, and I really like this method of study, as it allows me to work at my own pace and use the lectures to clarify my understanding of the weekly readings I have to do. What’s even better, is that I love my subject, so spending time studying for the most part is very rewarding.

Life at Lancaster however, isn’t all about studying, and luckily for Lancaster students there is plenty to do both on and off campus. This week, I have a netball match on Wednesday, a competitive pool game this evening, and plans to go on a night out at the weekend. In between this, I often find myself catching up with friends for coffee (or my preferred drink from costa, a hot chocolate) or watching an episode of two from a good TV show on Netflix to unwind after a long day of studying. Fitting in time to do the things you enjoy in between the time you spend studying is key for providing yourself with a break from your studies, as managing your time effectively is one of the biggest things you’ll learn at university, even though after three years I still haven’t yet mastered this skill!

I hope this provides you with some insight into my life at Lancaster, and please keep your eyes posted on this blog for more updates from myself and other students! If you have any comments or questions, feel free to comment on my post.

 

Greetings All!

/ Sowenna Ene

Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Sowenna Ene and I am a final year Philosophy, Politics and Economics student at Lancaster. During the course of this academic year, I will be writing posts every so often detailing my weekly activities and general undertakings from academic work to the more social aspects of university. Without further ado, I shall now get into my past week.

This year I decided to join the University Futsal Team. This essentially manifests itself in playing matches against other universities in the British Universities & Colleges Sports league (BUCS). On Sunday 5th November we played two games, a friendly match and also a BUCS league game. This took place at Leeds Beckett University and we won the friendly match 6-0 and the league game 10-2! This was a nice set up for the week ahead which predominantly centred on academic studies…

 

Monday began with a lecture in ‘Continental Philosophy’ in which, by the end of the term, we will have explored the ideas of thinkers Friedrich Nietzsche, Michel Foucault and Hannah Arendt. Monday’s lecture explored Michel Foucault’s ‘The History of Sexuality’ which explores the progression, manifestation and application of power within society. Fascinating stuff! Later in the day I had a lecture and seminar for my module titled ‘Contemporary Issues in the Middle East’. If it hasn’t become clear, one should pay attention to the sheer scope of modules and the great variety of choice a degree at Lancaster allows. The range of module choice available is something definitely commendable and really allows you to tailor your degree to you and where your particular interest may lay. Aside from lectures and seminars, this week was spent mainly planning for an essay in which I look to explore nation-state building in the Middle East; this is due in the final week of term, but its never bad to start early!

I hope you have enjoyed reading about my week this week at Lancaster University and I look forward to communicating with you soon.

Take care!

Essays: Becky and Katie

/ Becky

Hello!

It has got to that time of year when essays are looming for us, so we thought we would write about how to deal with deadlines.

So..

In first year, each term you will have one essay per module that you take. Initially it is quite daunting as you have to really get to grips with time management as well as learning how to reference properly.

Once you have decided on your essay question (you are usually able to pick form a few) it is really good to meet with your tutor to go through your plan and to discuss how to write it in the best way. Tutors will always be happy to help you or to go through things with you, although they cannot read through your essay or tell you what exactly it is you should write – they will guide you in the right direction and you won’t feel completely in the dark.

When it comes to essays the first port of call tends to be the library. Your tutor will provide you with a reading list with useful books and they usually are really helpful so make sure you use them. The library initially seems a bit weird as it has a referencing system which, at first sight, doesn’t really make sense. However, after a while you really do get used to it and when you know what floor / section your modules books will be on you won’t have any trouble finding them.

Referencing is so important. Your tutors will go on and on about it but you have to make sure that you do it and do it properly, otherwise you will get penalised. It can’t be denied that it is tedious but as long as you make sure to reference as you go along, and not leave it until the last minute (a mistake we have both made) it will be much easier to do. Before starting university, you may hear  lot of talk about how difficult referencing is, particularly the Harvard style. However, referencing is actually fairly simple once you get used to it and if you do struggle with a particular style, there are others to choose from. Most tutors will agree that as long as you are consistent, you can choose whichever style suits you best.

Once you have written your essay and filled out the cover form (essays are handed in anonymously) you have to deposit your essay in a rather ominous looking postbox. It is really satisfying once you hand it in, and the fact that you can’t get it back once it’s gone means that you stop thinking about it. Just make sure you put it in the right box! You also have to upload the essay electronically onto the Department’s page. It is so important that you do this as well as handing in the hard copy because otherwise your essay won’t get marked!

Essays can be a drag and they make those last few weeks before the Christmas holidays extra slow, but you have to do them so you might as well try your best, put the time in and work really hard for the last few weeks and then your time off will feel even more deserved.

Saying this however, it is important to take breaks! Don’t stay up all night, every night, barely getting any sleep- trust us, it won’t be worth it. Essay writing is all about a good balance of work and rest. Your flatmates will likely be in the same position so you’ll all be able to help each other in maintaining this balance and then you can all celebrate well after.

They really are not as awful as they initially seem, just try your best and manage your time well and you will get the results you hope for / deserve.

Becky and Katie x

Not Quite Christmas Yet

/ Katy Tabero

This week Christmas has begun…apparently. Given that the only television I watch is replays on the internet and that I’ve been stuck in my room writing essays for the last few weeks, I’ve managed to miss the sneaky Christmas adverts taking over and decorations popping up in town, only for it to smack me in the face. Lancaster looks pretty in its new sparkly gear and everyone seems a little happier, although that may be something to do with the end of term fast approaching. Whilst week 10 of term see’s everyone at their most stressed it is also the point of most relief when that final essay is handed in and the holidays begin.

Having said that there is still a long way to go and my economics exam next week feels like a cruel reminder to that. With this in mind my blog this week will offer two bits of module picking advice which I wish I’d had known beginning second year.

Mid-term exams are definitely something I would advise looking out for when picking your modules. Whilst it seems counterintuitive to choose to have deadlines in the middle of term, instead of giving yourself more time to revise for one at the end, it works out much less stressful. Firstly they can only give you so many weeks worth of material as you haven’t learnt it all yet, so there will be less to remember. Secondly it means you spread out the intense work load that you would otherwise have grouped all at the end; whilst you are focussing on your exams your essays are sat non-urgently, humming along in the background. If you are doing Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) then make use of the flexibility that allows you to shift your workload in any way you want. For example this year several of my friends have taken on modules which allow you to write a 5000 word essay instead of an essay and an exam so as to cut down on their amount of final summer exams.

The second piece of advice is to have a flick through the material before hand to make sure it is something you are interested in and think you can handle. A lot of people end up picking modules based on their titles, or because their friends are taking them, but then get stressed when it turns out they can’t stand how the text they need to study is written or that it involves something completely different to what was expected. My mistake, having not taken A-Level maths, was to enter onto economics courses without checking what sort of maths I would need; I then found myself giving a 40 minute presentation on a linear regression model, a memory I’m still trying to repress. This year a little careful planning meant that any new maths I needed to know I could learn during the holidays or in my spare time in advance so that I didn’t find myself trying to catch up in the middle of term. I realise this sounds daunting, especially if you’re in the same maths-less boots as me, but genuinely the thing I have been most proud of in my entire University experience is that now I feel comfortable taking on maths that would have previously made me want to cry just looking at it. You get taught a lot in university but there is also a lot you teach yourself.

Blog: Week 6

/ Yasmin Burton

As this is my first blog post, it seems fitting to provide a short overview of who I am and the intention of my blogs, which will be published on a weekly basis. My name is Yasmin and I am in my third and final year, studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at Lancaster University. Over the coming weeks, I am hopeful that, via this blog, I shall be able to provide an insight into aspects of both social and academic life at Lancaster University. The focus will be, in particular, on the Philosophy component of my course and sharing any amusing or interesting anecdotes that demonstrate what it is like to study, live and socialise in Lancaster.

As is always the case at Lancaster, Michaelmas term passes by in a veritable flash; week six already and I can barely believe it! Already this term I have covered a diverse range of academic material. From Health Economics to Logic and Language and Game Theory modules; if there is one thing I love about my course, it is the diversity and variety it offers. Learning economic models, exploring philosophical theories and engaging in political enquiry is a fascinating mix- albeit a challenging one! Already, coursework deadlines and end of term tests are fast approaching and the pressure is on. As week ten nears, a period of frenzied revision, essay writing and time cloistered in the library ensues. Life at Lancaster University is not, however, without its social entertainments.

The fast paced nature of academic work is (thankfully!) offset by the large range of social events on offer, which often provide a much needed break. Just last week, I went to the University firework display, held in Lancaster square. Despite the drizzly cold and windy conditions, there was an impressive turnout and it was absolutely packed. Clearly, a small thing like the weather was not enough to dent our excitement! Refreshments, such as warming mulled wine and burgers were readily available for purchase, and many clutched paper cups of steaming tea amid a sea of umbrellas and raincoats. There was also a range of live music acts, including University pop and brass bands which proceeded the fireworks.

After the display, me and my housemates went to one of the college bars, where a charity auction was being held. There we bid for a chef to cook our house dinner the following night and all the proceeds went to charity. All in all, it was a very enjoyable night and the three course meal of the following evening definitely lived up to expectations!

The First of Many

/ Katy Tabero

So here is my first blog post and I guess introductions are in order; my name is Katy and I’m a third year PPE student at Lancaster University. I am also the treasurer for Lancaster University Rock and Metal Music Society (RocSoc) and Lancaster University Philosophy Society (PhilSoc). My intentions for this blog are to reflect on a few key thoughts or events throughout the week which I believe will give you a little insight into life as a student here, so without further ado on with the show!

One of the more interesting tasks of being on the exec for a society is persuading the fresh-faced and party hungry undergrads to replace you. You have to convince them that what they really want is to take on more work for free and be one of the few sober members at big socials. Despite this we had three people run for our bi-election to take the role of second DJ for RocSoc. Given the position, each candidate creates a DJ set-list lasting 15 minutes and then makes a short speech (we try to keep the speeches as early as possible otherwise they tend to be a little slurred…). Somehow all three of them managed to have picked the same bands, and even songs, for two out of four songs in their set-list so it was down to a popularity contest. The speeches were entertaining at least; we looked on disapprovingly as they made promises we know they couldn’t keep but said it in such an enthusiastic way that the crowd lapped it up and jeered on. As Treasurer I had the job, along with the President, of counting the votes which meant they floated around me nervously trying to pry information. Finally it was time to announce the winner, silence filled the room and then cheers as the winner took the stage only to be made to make another speech, poor guy. As it turns out the runner up was a single vote behind and had voted for the other candidate meaning that if they had voted for themselves it would have been a tie, luckily he didn’t seem too bothered.

Given the looming essay deadlines this has been rather an uneventful week aside from the bi-election. Most of it has been spent squirreling away on whatever sofa in the University I can find with a radiator and a plug socket trying to break through a bit of Nietzsche. I will admit I maybe snuck off for a coffee once or twice because after so long, words seem to stop meaning anything but otherwise I’ve been pretty disciplined for once. The main highlight of my week was the firework display on Saturday. A lot of people worry that given the size of Lancaster they will miss out on events that some of the bigger cities may hold, this is not the case and I would argue it can be even better as you do not have to compete with millions of people to get exclusive tickets or good seats. Lancaster laid on a fantastic firework show emanating from the castle which could be seen for free from all around. It made for the perfect evening with a few pints in a quaint little pub beforehand and stuffing ourselves too much in an expensive restaurant afterwards. Student life isn’t all work, no play.

An Introduction…

/ Katie Work

Hello!

Before we start writing about our experiences, let us introduce ourselves.

We are Becky and Katie, both third year students in the PPR department. I, Katie, am doing a BA hons in Religious Studies and I, Becky, am doing a joint BA hons in Religious Studies and Politics. We have taken many modules together over the past three years and now have a close friendship within university, as well as outside.

We are writing this blog with the aim of informing you about what the ‘real’ university experience is like. We will cover topics both academic and social, including things such as life within the PPR department as well as life in Lancaster as a city.

Each week we will write about a specific topic, covering various aspects of our time at Lancaster University. We will cover most things, from our first day of moving to uni, to essay deadlines, picking our modules and friendship gains and losses.

A big part of life at uni is all the opportunities Lancaster and the PPR department have to offer. This summer, through taking the ‘PPR in India’ module, we were able to spend two months together studying in, and travelling through, India. This experience was literally life-changing and we will be sharing many of our stories (both good and bad) which will show that anything is possible when you’re thrown in at the deep-end!

University has definitely expanded our horizons, both socially and in terms of our plans for the future. We both feel we have made a friend for life in one another, as well in others from our colleges and from our courses.

We will be writing this blog together with the aim of giving an informative and well-rounded view of student life in Lancaster.

Each week we will share one small piece of advice that we wish someone would have told us when we were new to student life. This week’s little piece of encouragement is – simply do not worry. You may feel out of your depth and like you’re not ready to live away from home or to start student life, but firstly, you’re not alone. We guarantee everyone else is in the same boat as you. And secondly, as long as you keep an open-mind and always be yourself, you’ll soon find you fit in very well and will wonder why you ever even worried! Basically, don’t worry – everything is always fine in the end.

Next week’s blog will be about our experiences within the first few weeks of university when we started in first year and how we dealt with all the new things which we had to adapt to and understand.

We hope our posts will be helpful and informative, and that you find some of our stories as funny as we do…

Catch you soon,

Becky and Katie x