I want to do some pre-reading before my course begins, are there any books you can recommend?
Books – How much and where to buy?
When does the course begin?
When do I get my course pack and what is in it?
When do I get my Teaching Timetable?
How am I assessed?
What and when is reading week?
What is QMPlus?
What is MySIS?
Are you on Facebook & Twitter?
What if I can’t find the answer to my question here? 

I want to do some pre-reading before my course begins, are there any books you can recommend?

The following books have been recommended by each of our first year module conveners:
(It is NOT recommended that you purchase these books, unless otherwise stated, as they may only be used for pre-reading, use your library instead)

POL100 Introduction to Politics (Compulsory for all our degree programmes)

Andrew Vincent Modern Political Ideologies 3rd Edition (Wiley Blackwell, 2010); 

an alternative that will also be helpful is:

Goodwin, Barbara, Using Political Ideas 5th edition (Chichester: Wiley, 2007).

Both of these will be used on the course so would be helpful to purchase one of the them in the summer

POL103 Comparative Government and Politics (Compulsory for L202 Politics students)

Bara and Pennington 'Comparative Politics' (Sage, 2009)
G. Bingham Powell Jr., Dalton and Strom 'Comparative Politics Today: World View', 10th Edition. (Pearson 2011)

POL106 Introduction to International Relations
(Compulsory for L250 International Relations Students)

Eric Hobsbawm, The AGE OF EXTREMES: THE SHORT TWENTIETH CENTURY, 1914-1991 (London: Michael Joseph, 1994).
Bartlett, C. J. The Global Conflict: The International Rivalry of the Great Powers, 1880-1990 (London: Longman, 1994).

POL105 Political Analysis (Only Single Honours students take this module)

Colin Hay, Political Analysis: A Critical Introduction (2002), esp. ch. 1, 2, 5
Colin Hay et al (eds.), The State: Theories and Issues (2006), esp. introduction, ch. 1, 3, 8-12

Books – How much and where to buy?

Our Campus Library stocks a wide range of books that you can borrow for free. However, it may be worth investing in Key Texts used for a module. Information on these key readings will be available in your Module Handbook when you attend your first Lecture.

Book prices will vary and will be available from numerous retailers, such as Amazon and John Smith’s Bookshop located on our Mile End campus.

When does the course begin?

Induction Week begins the week commencing Monday 17th September 2012. You will receive an email from the College with the full schedule of events held by both our School and others such as the Students’ Union, so you will be aware of which days and times to attend.

Teaching begins the following week – Monday 24th September 2012.

When do I get my course pack and what is in it?

During Induction Week you will be given your ‘Student Handbook’ which includes essential information you will need throughout your first year including College and Campus information, School procedures, useful dates, Programme and module information etc.

You will not receive individual Module Handbooks until the first lecture of each Module.

When do I get my Teaching Timetable?

Teaching timetables will be sent to you via email, when you have confirmed your module registration during the Induction Week. For each module you study you will attend the lecture and one seminar group.

Provisional 1st Year Timetable: 

How am I assessed?

Our Modules are assessed by both Coursework (written assignments) and end of year examination.  The weightings of each may vary between modules, for example coursework could constitute 25% of the total assessment and the Examination the remaining 75%
These and others details will be provided in your Module Handbook, which you will receive on the first Lecture of each module.

What and when is reading week?

Reading week occurs once each semester. It is a week in which all teaching is suspended to allow students to focus on their independent studies and get caught up.

Reading weeks are scheduled:

Semester A:  5th November 2012
Semester B:  18th February 2013

What is QMPlus?

QMPlus is the University’s online learning environment, which you will have access to when you are fully enrolled and registered for modules. Each module you study will have its own individual area on QMPlus giving you access to various information including the module handbook, lecture handouts, extra readings, announcements etc.
You will also need to submit electronic copies of your assignments via the QMPlus site.
You will be given an introductory QMPlus session during the Welcome Week.

What is MySIS?

MySIS is the University’s student information system, which will hold your student record. You will use it when registering for your modules, accessing your result transcripts and various other things throughout your studies. It is important to keep your contact details on MySIS constantly up to date, so that we are able to relay important information to you.

Are you on Facebook & Twitter?

Yes, our School is active on both sites
links to our pages can be found here:
Facebook
Twitter

What if I can’t find the answer to my question here?

If you have a question that isn’t listed here, please email Jason Salucideen – j.v.salucideen@qmul.ac.uk who will be happy to help answer your query.