Teaching
I hold three postgraduate professional qualifications relating to teaching practices in higher education. These are an MA in Academic Practice (2024), a Diploma in Academic Practice (2021) and a Certificate in Higher Education Practice (2013). These examined framework implementation; leadership; professional development, amongst other concepts. I am also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE).
My undergraduate teaching covers each year of the curriculum. In the first year I convene and teach on the team-taught module POLI101 British Politics I, which introduces students to party system in the UK, voting behaviour, language, amongst other concepts. In the second year I convene and teach on two modules.
POLI252 Political Communication and Public Speaking examines the practical skills, methods, and applications of rhetorical theories and how these can affect political change.
In addition, I also convene and teach POLI263 British Foreign Policy which examines how history continues to impact on Britain's role in the modern world.
In the third year I convene and teach my signature module, POLI323 Theory and Practice of Rhetoric in British Politics. The module, which is based on my original research, teaches students how to use the ancient rhetorical theories of effective oratory to analyse contemporary British political actors. In turn, students are able to improve their own communication styles both within the module and beyond.
Finally, from September 2025 I will also be the convenor of a new MA dissertation module, POLI550 Politics Public Administration for a newly launched 'Public Administration and Policy MA' programme.
Details about POLI101 British Politics I.
This large, team-taught first year module provides an introductory overview British political life, devolution, voting patterns, political communication, gender, foreign policy, amongst other related concepts. As a stand-alone or foundational module, the teaching and learning demonstrates the political and intellectual significance of British political controversies in the post-Brexit, post-COVID period of the mid-2020s. Finally, leading scholars in their respective fields contribute to the module by delivering lectures based on their research specialisms. They include Professor Stuart Wilks-Heeg (elections); Professor Andrew Russell (Liberal Democrats); Dr Sean Haughey (devolution and Northern Ireland) Dr Neil Pye (Labour).
Assessments: The module is assessed via a 1,500 word essay (50%); a 1,000 word seminar workbook (20%); and a 1,200 word online unseen examination (30%).
Details about POLI252 Political Communication and Public Speaking
This is a second year module that looks at the techniques of communication and the structure of speechmaking as a technical skill. The module revolves around students using these skills through practical activities (such as a 'mock Parliamentary debate') whereby students are able to enhance their confidence as convincing individual speakers. This module was commended for the Centre for Innovation in Education and used as a case study for communication skills development..
Assessments: The module is assessed via a 1,800 word reflective logbook of seminar activities (40%) and the delivery of a ten minute speech (approx. 1,200 words) to an audience of student peers/video podcast (60%).
Details about POLI263 British Foreign Policy
This new second year module starts in January 2025. It places British Foreign Policy into its deep historical contexts (1600s onwards), covering topics such as the first and second British Empires; the impact of the World Wars on Britain; the role of the UK in the Middle East (covering the Palestinian Mandate, Suez, the Iraq Wars, amongst other issues); and the process of imperial decline and decolonisation. The module places Imperialism into its political and historical contexts as a response to shifting attitudes in the post-war world. The module also examines various theories of foreign policy, including liberal conservatism, interventionism, and pragmatism.
Assessments: The module is assessed via a 1,500 word literature review (50%) and a 1,500 word Foreign Office essay (50%).
Details about POLI323 Theory and Practice of Rhetoric in British Politics
This is a third year module that examines the ancient theories of rhetoric and oratory and applies them to contemporary British political themes and actors. The module discusses the contemporary significance of the ancient skills and how they enable us to see how political ideologies are communicated to audiences in the 2020s. Topics included are Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA); narrative; persona construction; Labour & Conservative Party thematic rhetorical drivers/orators; religion, and crisis leadership.
Assessments: The module is assessed via a 2,500 word undelivered written conference speech for a party leader in British Politics (60%) and a 1,500 word essay which requires students to conduct a rhetorical political analysis of two leading figures in British Politics (40%).
STUDENT COMMENTS
Comment on POLI252 Political Communication and Public Speaking
“Andrew's seminars and lectures were some of the most enjoyable experiences of my second year. He is both informative and engaging. The seminars especially were enjoyable, with the group tasks and development of oracle skills.”
“Andrew is one of the greatest lectures... This module is one of the best I have chosen, and I look forward to choosing Andrew's module for my third year.”
“The seminars were the most enjoyable out of all my modules.”
“Andrew was extremely helpful in providing support where needed. He was especially useful in organising exterior events that were linked to the module of sorts.”
“The options of being able to do a podcast was great. As sometimes my anxiety gets the better of me, and I wouldn't want this to effect my speech the day. So, having the option of podcast relaxed me. The reflection piece I feel got me more involved with the seminar activities to as we needed to be able to write about them.”
“Andrew is very very very fast in responding to emails and provides constructive feedback which has being instrumental in my success of the module.”
“The module was taught very well. I liked the fact that the seminar groups were larger as there were more ideas to bounce around which I feel was crucial for the topics we looked at. I think having organised readings, such as one or two a week would be beneficial, as I found myself a bit lost with the long list or readings, so more organisations there would be appreciated I think.”
Comment on POLI323 Theory and Practice of Rhetoric in British Politics
“I thoroughly enjoyed this module. The content was really interesting and Andrew delivered the lectures/seminars with passion and enthusiasm. The assessment methods were appropriate for the module and I was really happy that the 60% component came first, thus placing less stress towards the end of the academic year. I would highly recommend this module for a student wanting to try something new.”
“This is possibly one of my favourite modules I’ve done over my degree and would definitely recommend to second year students.”
“Teaching delivery and quality of lectures and seminars excellent”.
“Andrew is very engaged and enthusiastic with the delivery of the module. i felt very supported when it came to assessments, receiving very quick email replies and feedback on draft assessments as allowed through my support plan. he also checked my support plan to make sure that the module provided for me properly as suggested in my plan which was very much appreciated”.
“Teaching delivery was excellent, when I had questions, I had useful and clear answers. The module is organised well, with resources in clear order”
“Andrew Roe-Crines is one of the better lecturers at this university, a unique and interesting module and it is clear a lot of hard work and dedication has gone into this module.”
“I really enjoyed writing the speech as a method of assessment, it was creative and required me to think outside the box to our usual essays. It was really enjoyable.”
“The teaching was great and helpful.”
DOCTORAL SUPERVISION
In terms of doctoral supervision, I am enthusiastic to supervise promising candidates researching British Politics, Parliamentary behaviour, political communication, or British Foreign Policy. I am also happy to co-supervise doctoral research within classical and ancient theories of rhetoric and oratory. Should you be interested in me supervising a project please email me to discuss your ideas. I am also happy to act as either an Internal or External Examiner for doctoral candidates in these areas.
Current Doctoral Candidate: Josef Nicholson, secondary supervisor with Zosia Archibald and Matthew Fitzjohn (Classics).
Doctoral Graduate Dr Steven Daniels (Alumni, 2020), secondary supervisor (50%) with Prof Stuart Wilks-Heeg (50%).
Modules for 2024-25
BRITISH FOREIGN POLICY
Module code: POLI263
Role: Module Co-ordinator
BRITISH POLITICS 1
Module code: POLI101
Role: Module Co-ordinator
BRITISH POLITICS II
Module code: POLI102
Role: Teaching
POLITICAL COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC SPEAKING
Module code: POLI252
Role: Module Co-ordinator
THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF RHETORIC IN BRITISH POLITICS
Module code: POLI323
Role: Module Co-ordinator