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 Blackboard?
What is MySIS?
Are you on Facebook?
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 as they will only be used for pre-reading, use your library instead)

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

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

Ball, Terence, and Richard Dagger, Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal 6th
Edition (New York: Pearson & Longman, 2005) [a clear and introductory account of the development of the main modern ideologies which includes useful discussions of their contemporary forms]

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

Bara and Pennington 'Comparative Politics' (Sage, 2008)
Almond et al. 'Comparative Politics Today' 8th edition (Pearson, 2006).

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

McMahon, R. J. The Cold War: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003)
Best, A. et al International History of the Twentieth Century (London: Routledge, 2004)

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

The following books by Eric Hobsbawn are also recommended by our Admissions Tutor:
The Age of Revolution, the Age of Capital, the Age of Empire, the Age of Extremes

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?

Welcome Week begins Monday 19th September. 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 26th September

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 allocated 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, which you will be allocated to. 

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:  7th November - 11th November 2011
Semester B:  20th February - 24th February 2012

What is Blackboard?

Blackboard 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 Blackboard 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 to the Blackboard site.
You will be given an introductory Blackboard session during your induction.

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?

Yes, our School is active on Facebook.
A link to our page can be found here.

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.