Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

BA (Hons) History and International Relations

Academic Year: 2014/15

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different)
Owning school/department Department of Politics, History and International Relations - pre 2018
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body
Final award BA (Hons)/ BA (Hons)+DIntS/BA (Hons)+DPS
Programme title History and International Relations
Programme code EUUB06
Length of programme The duration of the programme is 6 Semesters (three-year programme), 8 Semesters (four-year programme) or 6 semesters plus one academic year (four-year thick sandwich programme). The three-year programme allows, at Part B (Semester Two) for a course of study to be taught in English at a foreign University.
UCAS code
Admissions criteria

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/departments/phir/historyandinternationalrelations/

Date at which the programme specification was published Tue, 09 Sep 2014 10:41:50 BST

1. Programme Aims

  • To provide students with an intellectually stimulating environment within which they can develop knowledge, understanding and skills in both History and International Relations.
  • To encourage a sense of enthusiasm for History and International Relations; to foster critical, creative and independent thinking; and to develop a sensitive and disciplined approach.
  • To stimulate productive reflection on the similarities and differences between modes of study in both subjects.
  • To develop competence and practical skills which are transferable to a wide range of professions and employment as well as life experiences.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

  • QAA Subject Benchmarking Statement - History
  • QAA Subject Benchmarking Statement – Politics and International Relations

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

  • the idea of academic disciplines as dynamic, plural and contested; developed within the broader framework of the social sciences and humanities;
  • the potential applications of concepts within a broader critical framework;
  • the main methodologies used in the analysis and interpretation of texts, other sources and data;

and within the History portion of the programme:

  • past societies and historical processes over a chronological and geographical range;
  • the use of primary evidence in historical argument;
  • History as an academic discipline, its schools of interpretations, and the variety of methodological approaches and theoretical foundations;

and within the International Relations portion of the programme:

  • how states, international organisations and other transnational actors interact (both cooperatively and conflictually) within regional and global arenas;
  • related questions of power, conflict, justice, order, legitimacy, decision-making and governance at the global and regional levels
  • approaches derived from international political theory and political analysis;
  • appropriate research methods and methodologies and how to apply these.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate a reflexive approach to learning;
  2. abstract and synthesise information;
  3. assess the merits of contrasting theories, explanations and arguments;
  4. critically evaluate and interpret a range of evidence, including texts, other sources and data;
  5. undertake problem-solving and decision-making;
  6. develop a reasoned argument;

and within the History portion of the programme:

  1. appreciate the complexities and diversity of past events and mentalities;
  2. show a critical awareness of the problems inherent in historical sources and in interpreting the past;
  3. solve problems with imagination and creativity;

and within the International Relations portion of the programme: 

  1. describe, evaluate and, where appropriate, critique political events, ideas and institutions operating at regional and global levels of analysis;
  2. relate theory and political analysis to questions of ethical, moral and public concern at regional and global levels of analysis. 
b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  1. locate and retrieve information using a variety of research methods;
  2. select, combine, and interpret different types of source material;
  3. recognise and critically debate moral and ethical issues underpinning particular debates or enquiries;
  4. deploy bibliographic skills including accuracy in the citation of sources and the use of proper conventions in the presentation of scholarly work;
  5. present cogent and persuasive arguments in oral, written and practical form;
  6. undertake independent learning and research
c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should have developed skills in the areas of communication, presentations, self-organisation, working with others and time-management, and gained experience of using information and communication technologies for the retrieval and presentation of information.

4. Programme structure

(1)       Candidates normally study a total modular weight of 60 credits in both History and International Relations in each academic year (Parts A, B and C).  However, candidates may take 20 credits of Language options in each Part, chosen from a list produced by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations, depending on their previous qualification.  These candidates must take at least 50 credits in both History and International Relations in Parts A and B, and at least 40 credits in both History and Politics in Part C.

(2)       Candidates must take at least 20 credits in History and 20 credits in International Relations in each Semester.

(3)       Candidates must take a total modular weight of 120 in each Part with a minimum module weight of 50 in each semester, taking into account both compulsory and optional modules.

 Part I  

 Candidates following the four-year programme are required to undertake an academic year abroad (Part I) which occurs between Part B and Part C at a French-, German- or Spanish-speaking university, following an approved course of study leading to the Diploma in International Studies in accordance with Senate Regulation X1. Candidates may also follow an approved course of study at a foreign university where teaching is in English leading to the Diploma in International Studies in accordance with Senate Regulation XI. 

 Candidates following the four-year thick sandwich programme are required to spend the third academic year (Part I) EITHER undertaking an approved Assistantship at a school or other approved placement in a French-, German- or Spanish-speaking country, leading to the Diploma in International Studies in accordance with Senate Regulation X1, OR undertaking an approved placement in the UK or abroad leading to the Diploma in Professional Studies in accordance with Senate Regulation X1. Participation in study abroad or a placement is subject to Departmental approval and satisfactory academic performance during Parts A and B.

 

(A)       Part A - Introductory Modules

History Component

Semester 1

(i) COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 30)

Module Code

Module Title

Module Weight

EUA001

Introduction to Academic Studies 

 10

Either

EUA701

Modern Europe: From the Enlightenment to the Present

 20

 
 
Or, for candidates choosing a Language Option
 

EUA702

Modern Europe: From the Enlightenment to the Present

 10

 

Language Option

10


 

Semester 2

(i) COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 30)                                                  

Module Code

 Module Title       

Module Weight

EUA704

What is History?

10

EUA703

Modern World History: New Perspectives     

20

(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES

None

 

International Relations Component

Semester 1

(i) COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 20)

Module Code

Module Title

Module Weight

EUA601

Contemporary World Arena

20

 

(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES

None

Semester 2

(i) COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 30 or 40)

Either

Module Code

Module Title

Module Weight

EUA613

Political Ideologies

20

EUA617

Approaches to International Relations

10

EUA619

Analysing Issues in Political and International Relations

10


Or, for candidates taking a Language Option

Module Code

Module Title

Module Weight

EUA614

Political Ideologies

 

10

EUA617

Approaches to International Relations

 

10

EUA619

Analysing Current Issues in Politics and International Relations

10

 

Language Option

 

10

 

 

(B)       Part B - Degree Modules

EITHER – Standard Route

Candidates must choose either EUB608 Research Design or EUB708 Crafting a Dissertation in Semester Two.

 

History Component

Semester 1

(i) COMPULSORY MODULES

None.

 

(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 30)

 

Module Code

Module Title

Module Weight

EUB702

Cold War Europe (20 credit)

 

20

EUB703

Cold War Europe (10 credit)

 

10

EUB704

Modern South Asia: Politics, Society & Culture (20 credit)

20

EUB705

Modern South Asia: Politics, Society & Culture (10 credit)

10

EUB706

Twentieth-Century Britain (20 credit)

 

20

EUB707

Twentieth-Century Britain (10 credit)

 

10

EUB722

Modern France: A History of Conflict? (20 credit)

20

EUB723

Modern France: A History of Conflict? (10 credit)

10

EUB724

Slavery In Global History (20 credit)

 

20

EUB725

Slavery in Global History (10 credit)

 

10

Semester 2

(i) COMPULSORY MODULES

None

(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 30)

Module Code

 

Module Title

Module Weight

EUB708

Crafting a Dissertation

 

10

EUB712

Modern Germany: From Racial Dictatorship to Recivilization (20 credit)

20

EUB713

Modern Germany: From Racial Dictatorship to Recivilization (10 credit)

10

EUB714

Modern China in a Global Perspective (20 credit)

20

EUB715

Modern China in a Global Perspective (20 credit)

10

EUB720

The Soviet Union in World Politics 1917-1991 (20 credit)

20

EUB721

The Soviet Union in World Politics 1917-1991 (10 credit)

10

EUB726

British Social History 1918-1979: Other Worlds of Labour (20 credits)

20

EUB727

British Social History 1918-1979: Other Worlds of Labour (10 credits)

10

EUB633

Enterprise, Employability and Personal Development

10

 

Language Option

 

10

 

International Relations Component

Semester 1

 

(i)        COMPULSORY MODULE (total modular weight 10)

Module Code

Module Title

Module Weight

EUB626

Debates and Developments in Contemporary IR Theory

                  10

  

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 20)

Module Code

Module Title

Module Weight 

EUB612

Foreign Policy Analysis

20

EUB621

Foreign Policy Analysis (10 credit)

10

EUB632

Third World Politics

20

EUB619

Security Studies

20

 

Language Option

10

  

Semester 2

(i) COMPULSORY MODULES:

None

 

(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 30)

Module Code

 

Module Title

Module Weight

EUB608

Research Design

10

 

EUB601

The European Union

 

20

EUB625

The European Union (10 credit)

 

10

EUB631

Protest and Resistance

 

20

EUB615

Challenges to International Governance

 

20

EUB634

Foreign Policy in Perspective (20 credit)

 

20

EUB635

Foreign Policy in Perspective (10 credit)

 

10

EUB633

Enterprise, Employability and Personal Development

10

 

 

 OR - International Semester Route

Candidates may replace the modules required for Part B Semester Two with an approved course of study taught in English at a foreign university. Candidates must register for a total of 60 credits in History and International Relations in Semester 1.  In Semester 2 candidates will undertake assessed work equivalent to 60 credits, as follows:

(i) COMPULSORY MODULE (total modular weight 50)

Module Code

Module Title

Module Weight

EUB001

International Semester

50

 

(ii) OPTIONAL MODULE (total modular weight 10)

Module Code

Module Title

Module Weight

EUB614

Research Design (Distance Learning)

10

EUB709 

Crafting a Dissertation (Distance Learning)

10

 

(C)  Part I

i) Four Year Programme – candidates will undertake assessed work leading to the Diploma of International Studies (DINTS)

ii) Four Year Thick Sandwich Programme (DINTS route) – candidates will undertake an approved Assistantship in a French-, German- or Spanish-speaking school or other approved placement leading to the Diploma of International Studies (DINTS) 

iii) Four Year Thick Sandwich Programme (DPS route) – candidates will undertake an approved placement leading to the Diploma of Professional Studies (DPS) 

Participation in study abroad or a placement is subject to Departmental approval and satisfactory academic performance during Parts A and B.  Students choosing to study on the Semester Abroad will only be allowed to take the Year Abroad in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Department of Politics, History and International Relations.

 

(D) Part C - Degree Modules

Semesters 1 and 2

DISSERTATION MODULES (total modular weight 40 credits)

Candidates must take EITHER EUC701 Dissertation in History OR EUC641 Dissertation in International Relations. 

 

LANGUAGES MODULES 

Candidates taking Languages modules (10 credits in each Semester) must choose optional modules to the value of 20 credits in the Subject in which they are taking a Dissertation and optional modules to the value of 40 credits from the other Subject.

 

History Component 

(i) COMPULSORY MODULES:

None

 

(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES

Candidates must choose History modules to the value of 60 credits from the following list.  Candidates who have chosen to take EUC701 Dissertation in History must take a further 20 credits of History optional modules.

 

Module Code

 

Module Title

Module Weight

Semester

EUC701

Dissertation in History

 

40

1&2

EUC702

Muslim Lives: Autobiography, History and Identity

20

1

EUC703

The Beatles and the 1960

 

20

1

EUC711

The Boxer War in China, 1898-1900: A Clash of Civilizations?

20

1

EUC705

The Rise of the Nazis

20

 

2

EUC713

 

From Prohibition to the ‘Swinging Sixties’: The United States 1918-1969

20

2

EUC714

 

The Soviet Security State

20

2

 

Language Option

Language Option

10

10

1

2

 

International Relations Component

(i) COMPULSORY MODULES

None

(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES

Candidates must choose International Relations modules to the value of 60 credits from the following list.  Candidates who have chosen EUC643 Dissertation in Politics and International Relations must choose a further 20 credits of International Relations modules

Code

 

Title

Modular Weight

Semester

EUC643

Dissertation in Politics and International Relations

40

1

EUC602

 

Nationalism: blood, soil and war

20

1

EUC604

 

State Violence and Terrorism

20

1

EUC607

The European Union and the United States

20

1

EUC627

 

Intelligence and National Security

20

1

EUC628

 

The Asia Pacific in Global Politics

20

1

EUC631

 

Yugoslavia: Its 20th Century

20

1

EUC672

The European Union and the Global Political Economy

20

1

EUC675

 

Global Environmental Politics

20

1

EUC677

 

Britain and the European Union

20

1

EUC609

 

Spanish-Latin American Relations

20

2

EUC658

 

Art, Politics and Society

20

2

EUC660

 

Contemporary Political Philosophy

20

2

EUC664

 

Politics and Religion

20

2

EUC665

Post-War British Politics: The Start of the Decline

20

2

EUC670

 

Varieties of Capitalism

20

2

EUC674

 

Power, Violence and Human Suffering

20

2

 

Language Option

Language Option

10

10

1

2

 

 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX but must also achieve a module mark of at least 30% in all modules in each Part.

5.2 Provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates who have the right of reassessment in any Part of the programme to undergo re-assessment in the University's special assessment period.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40%, Part C 60% to determine the final programme percentage mark.

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