Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

BA (Hons) International Relations

Academic Year: 2016/17

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) + DPS/BA (Hons) + DIntS
Programme title International Relations
Programme code EUUB02
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 L250/L251
Admissions criteria

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

Date at which the programme specification was published Tue, 27 Sep 2016 10:19:54 BST

1. Programme Aims

  1. To introduce students to problems, concepts and debates in International Relations, informed by research at the forefront of contemporary debates.
  2. To provide a comprehensive grounding in International Relations and in the cognate disciplines of political science and area studies, supporting the analysis of the contemporary world arena.
  3. To develop competence in the research strategies and methods of International Relations, including international political theory, international political analysis, the study of international regimes, conflict and crisis management.
  4. To enable students to develop knowledge and understanding of topical issues in International Relations by applying theory to practice and by using practice to reflect on theory.
  5. To foster the acquisition of key transferable skills including critical analysis; appraisal of evidence and formulation of hypothesis based on available information; evaluation of debates in international affairs; appropriately use communication and information technology; and clear communication of ideas.
  6. To broaden perspectives on International Relations through multidisciplinary research, by providing a range of electives from the disciplines of the humanities and social sciences, by enabling students to extend, apply and/or reflect on their learning through training in the UK or abroad and/or through the study of a modern language.

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

  • QAA Benchmarking statements for Politics and International Relations
  • Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
  • University Learning and Teaching Strategy
  • Departmental Learning and Teaching policies
  • The research interests and specialisms of the teaching staff and their professional involvement in the discipline

 

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

K1. discuss the nature and characteristics of a variety of international actors and phenomena, including the international state system, non-governmental actors and the challenges of international governance;

K2. analyse the major trends and causal factors relevant to the contemporary International System;

K3. explain competing interpretations of international events and approaches to international governance;

K4. apply core concepts and methods used in IR scholarship and in the cognate disciplines of political science and area studies to analyse the international arena;

K5. evaluate principles, methods, ideas and problems drawn from the study of International Relations and cognate disciplines in the humanities and/or the social sciences.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1. choose appropriate research strategies and methods of International Relations to analyse key issues and events;

C2. evaluate leading concepts, ideas, principles and models of International Relations theory;

C3. apply principles and theoretical approaches of International Relations theory to analyse unfolding international events, and formulate coherent solutions to problems of international governance and diplomacy;

C4. use sophisticated argument and analysis to propose solutions to complex problems.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1. use information technology to retrieve and communicate information to a range of different audiences;

P2. evaluate sources of information and the ethical issues relating to research in International Relations;

P3. undertake independent research under supervision;

P4. organise personal learning and development self-critically.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1. appraise evidence and formulate hypothesis based on available information;

T2. manage time effectively and work to deadlines;

T3. apply research skills and practices to offer interpretations of complex and unfamiliar ideas, abstract concepts, political phenomena and events;

T4. summarise complex scholarly debates;

T5. evaluate alternative solutions to complex problems;

T6. co-operate with others for common benefit.

4. Programme structure

4.1

Modules with a total modular weight of 100 must be studied in each Academic Year (Parts A, B and C) from International Relations.  Candidates may take 20 credits of elective modules in each Part.  Candidates choose modules derived from a list provided by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations, depending on the candidates' previous qualifications.  Due to timetabling constraints, not all option combinations may be available. 

 

4.2          Content

(1)          Part A – Introductory Modules

Students must be registered for a minimum of 50 credits and a maximum of 70 credits in each Semester

(i)           COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight of 100)

Code

Title

Semester

Modular Weight

EUA001

Introduction to Academic Studies

1

10

EUA601

The Contemporary World Arena

1

20

EUA607

Introduction to Democratic Government

1

10

EUA702

Modern Europe: from the Enlightenment to the Present (10 Credit)

1

10

EUA610

Conceptions of Democracy

2

10

EUA613

Political Ideologies

2

20

EUA617

Approaches to International Relations

2

10

EUA619

Analysing Current Issues in Politics and International Relations

2

10

 

(ii)          OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 20)

Candidates must choose 20 credits from one optional subject group which must be followed through Part A from:

Code

Title

Semester(s)

Modular Weight

Economics

 

 

ECA001

Principles of Macroeconomics

1 & 2

20

English

 

 

EAA777

Narrative Forms and Fiction

1

20

French

 

 

Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications.

1 & 2

20

German

 

 

Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications.

1 & 2

20

Geography

 

 

GYA004

Geographies of Global Economic Change

1

10

GYA104

Geographies of Identity

2

10

History

 

 

EUA701

Modern Europe: from the Enlightenment to the Present (20 Credit)

N.B. Candidates choosing this elective subject take the 20-credit version of Modern Europe (EUA701) and do not take EUA702

1

20

EUA707

Modern World History: New Perspectives (10 Credit)

2

10

Business

 

 

BSA505

Organisational Behaviour

1

10

BSA506

Management of Human Resources

2

10

Mandarin Chinese

 

 

Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications.

1 & 2

20

Social Sciences

 

 

SSA001

Introduction to Sociology: Identities and Inequalities

1

10

SSA002

Introduction to Sociology: Global, Social and Cultural Change

2

10

SSA201

Introduction to Criminology & Social Policy A

1

10

SSA202

Introduction to Criminology & Social Policy B

2

10

SSA301

Introduction to Communication and Media Studies: Contemporary Trends and Issues

1

10

SSA302

Introduction to Communication and Media Studies: Historical Debates and Perspectives

2

10

Spanish

 

 

Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications.

1 & 2

20

 

(2)          Part B – Degree Modules

EITHER

(a)  Standard Route

 Students must be registered for a minimum of 50 credits and a maximum of 70 credits in each Semester

(i)  COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 20)

Code

Title

Semester

Modular Weight

EUB605

Theories and Methods in Political Research

1

10

EUB608

Research Design

2

10

 

(ii)  OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 100)

In addition to the compulsory modules EUB605 and EUB608, candidates must choose a minimum modular weight of 80 Group 1 modules over Semesters 1 and 2. The remaining 20 credits may be chosen from Groups 1 and 2. Candidates should note that combinations of modules of the same titles but with different credit weightings are mutually exclusive.

 

Group 1 – International Relations

Code

Title

Semester

Modular Weight

EUB601

The European Union (20 Credit)

1

20

EUB625

The European Union (10 Credit)

1

10

EUB632

Third World Politics

1

20

EUB619

Security Studies

1

20

EUB634

The American Century: US Politics and Society in the 20th Century

1

20

EUB702

Cold War Europe (20 Credit)

1

20

EUB703

Cold War Europe (10 Credit)

1

10

EUB612

Foreign Policy Analysis (20 Credit)

2

20

EUB621

Foreign Policy Analysis (10 Credit)

2

10

EUB615

Challenges to International Governance

2

20

EUB604

Comparative European Politics (20 Credit)

2

20

EUB620

Comparative European Politics (10 Credit)

2

10

EUB631

Protest and Resistance

2

20

EUB633

Enterprise, Employability and Personal Development

2

10

 

Group 2 – Electives

Choice of elective subject modules will be subject to satisfying any prerequisites set out in individual module specifications.

Code

Title

Semester

Modular Weight

Business

 

 

BSB530

Accounting for Business

1

10

BSB560

Principles of Marketing

1

10

BSB532

Accounting for Managers

2

10

BSB562

The Marketing Mix

2

10

Economics

 

 

ECB037

Microeconomics

1 & 2

20

English

 

 

EAB710

Renaissance Writings

1

20

EAB113

Introduction to Linguistics

1

20

EAB039

Nineteenth-Century American Writing

1

20

EAB008

Victorian Literature

1

20

EAB711

Eighteenth Century Literature

2

20

EAB012

African American Culture

2

20

EAB110

Introduction to Multimodality

2

20

EAB114

Elephants and Engines

2

20

French

 

 

Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications.

1 & 2

20

German

 

 

Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications.

1 & 2

20

Geography

 

 

GYB210

Globalization

1 & 2

20

GYB220

Geographies of Social Difference

1 & 2

20

GYB211

Globalization

1

10

GYB222

Geographies of Social Difference

1

10

GYB113

Geographies of Culture, Media and Representation

2

10

GYB110

Sustainable Urban Geographies

2

10

GYB320

Global Migration

2

10

History

 

 

EUB702

Cold War Europe (20 Credit)

1

20

EUB703

Cold War Europe (10 Credit)

1

10

EUB724

Slavery in Global History (20 Credit)

1

20

EUB725

Slavery in Global History (10 Credit)

1

10

EUB712

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

2

20

EUB713

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

2

10

EUB714

Modern China in a Global Perspective (20 Credit)

2

20

EUB715

Modern China in a Global Perspective (10 Credit)

2

10

EUB726

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

2

20

EUB727

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

2

10

Mandarin Chinese

 

 

Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications.

1 & 2

20

Social Sciences

 

 

SSB020

Race and Racism

1

10

SSB216

Women and Crime: Victims, Offenders and Survivors

1

10

SSB360

The Media in Global Context

1

10

SSB023

Religion and Society

2

10

SSB234

Media, Culture and Crime

2

10

SSB239

Drugs: Society, Politics and Policy

2

10

Spanish

 

 

Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications.

1 & 2

20

 

OR

(b)  INTERNATIONAL SEMESTER ROUTE

Candidates may replace the modules required for Part B Semester 2 with an approved course of study taught in English at a foreign University.  In Semester 2, candidates will undertake assessed work equivalent to 50 credits, as required by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations, along with a Distance Learning Research Design module.  Candidates who opt for this route must ensure that they have selected a total of 60 credits in Semester 1.

 

(i)           COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 70)

Code

Title

Semester

Modular Weight

EUB605

Theories and Methods in Political Research

1

10

EUB001

International Semester

2

50

EUB614

Research Design (Distance learning)

2

10

 

(ii)          OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 50)

In addition to the compulsory modules EUB605, EUB001 and EUB614, candidates must choose a minimum modular weight of 40 and a maximum modular weight of 50 from Group 1 modules in Semester 1. If a weight of 40 is chosen from Group 1, candidates should choose a 10 Credit Module from Group 2. Candidates should note that combinations of modules of the same titles but with different credit weightings are mutually exclusive.

 

Group 1

Code

Title

Semester

Modular Weight

EUB601

The European Union (20 Credit)

1

20

EUB625

The European Union (10 Credit)

1

10

EUB632

Third World Politics

1

20

EUB619

Security Studies

1

20

EUB702

Cold War Europe (20 Credit)

1

20

EUB703

Cold War Europe (10 Credit)

1

10

 

Group 2 – Choices of elective subject modules will be subject to satisfying any prerequisites set out in individual module specifications.

Code

Title

Semester

Modular Weight

Business

 

 

BSB530

Accounting for Business

1

10

BSB560

Principles of Marketing

1

10

French

 

 

One 10 credit module from Semester 1 from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications.

1

10

German

 

 

One 10 credit module from Semester 1 from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications.

1

10

Geography

 

 

GYB211

Globalization

1

10

GYB222

Geographies of Social Difference

1

10

History

 

 

EUB703

Cold War Europe (10 Credit)

1

10

EUB725

Slavery in Global History (10 Credit)

1

10

Mandarin Chinese

 

 

One 10 credit module from Semester 1 from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications.

1

10

Social Sciences

 

 

SSB020

Race and Racism

1

10

SSB216

Women and Crime: Victims, Offenders and Survivors

1

10

SSB360

The Media in Global Context

1

10

Spanish

 

 

One 10 credit module from Semester 1 from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications.

1

10

               

(3)          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 XI.  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 XI, OR undertaking an approved placement in the UK or abroad leading to the Diploma in Professional Studies in accordance with Senate Regulation XI.  Participation in study abroad or a placement is subject to Departmental approval and satisfactory academic performance during parts A and B.

 

(4) Part C – Degree Modules

Students must be registered for a minimum of 50 credits and a maximum of 70 credits in each Semester. Credits from the Dissertation in Politics and International Relations module must be split equally (20:20) across both Semesters.

 

(i)           COMPULSORY MODULE (total modular weight 40)

Code

Title

Semester

Modular Weight

EUC643

Dissertation in Politics and International Relations

1 & 2

40

 

(ii)  OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 80)

In addition to the compulsory module EUC643, candidates must choose a minimum modular weight of 60 from Group 1 modules over semesters 1 and 2. The remaining 20 credits may be chosen from Groups 1 or 2. Choices of modules from Part 2 will be subject to satisfying any prerequisites set out in individual module specifications.

 

Group 1

Code

Title

Semester

Modular Weight

EUC602

Nationalism: blood, soil and citizens

1

20

EUC604

State Violence and Terrorism

1

20

EUC628

The Asia Pacific in Global Politics

1

20

EUC660

Contemporary Political Philosophy

1

20

EUC657

The Civil Rights Movement in the US

1

20

EUC677

Britain and the European Union

1

20

EUC664

Politics & Religion

2

20

EUC665

Post-War British Politics: The Start of the Decline

2

20

EUC666

Gender and Politics

2

20

EUC674

Power, Violence and Human Suffering

2

20

EUC679

1968 – World Revolution?

2

20

EUC714

The Soviet Security State

2

20

 

Group 2

Code

Title

Semester

Module Weight

Business

 

 

BSB035

Sales Management

1

10

BSB555

Organisational Studies

1

10

BSB580

Operations Management

1

10

BSC105

International Human Resource Management

1

10

BSC520

Business Systems

1

10

BSC522

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

1

10

BSB590

Contemporary Business Environment

2

10

BSC124

Marketing Communications

2

10

BSC144

Project Management

2

10

BSC524

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Planning

2

10

BSC575

Leadership and Interpersonal Skills

2

10

Economics

 

 

ECC012

Introduction to Finance

1 & 2

20

ECC013

International Economic Relations

1 & 2

20

ECC014

Economics of the Financial System

1 & 2

20

ECC017

Economics of the Welfare State

2

20

English

 

 

EAC034

Narratives of American Sport

1

20

EAC042

Dimensions of Texts

1

20

EAC227

Myth and History: Milton’s Paradise Lost

1

20

EAC016

Cruel and Unusual

1

20

EAC014

Aphra Behn

1

20

EAC022

Ulysses

2

20

EAC103

Modernisms

2

20

EAC300

Rare Shakespeare

2

20

EAC109

Romantic Writings

2

20

EAC701

Global America

2

20

French

 

 

Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications.

1 & 2

20

History

 

 

EUC703

Revolution in the Head: The Beatles and Sixties Britain

1

20

EUC713

Jim Crow, Bootleggers and Okies: American Cultural History 1890-1930

1

20

EUC715

Fear of East Asia and the Global Order

1

20

EUC705

The Rise of the Nazis

2

20

EUC714

The Soviet Security State, 1917 – present

2

20

Geography

 

 

GYC107

Regional Worlds

1

20

GYC212

Globalised Urbanisation

1

20

GYC205

Central America: Dependency and Development

2

10

GYC214

Geographies of Children and Youth

2

10

GYC325

Geographies of Transnational Mobility and Diaspora

2

20

German

 

 

Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications.

1 & 2

20

Mandarin Chinese

 

 

Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications.

1 & 2

20

Social Sciences

 

 

SSC024

Gender, Sex and Society

1

20

SSC030

Debating Society

1

20

SSC128

Political Psychology

1

20

SSC138

Forensic Psychology

1

20

SSC238

Youth Justice

1

20

SSC316

Media, Memory and History

1

20

SSC022

The Body, Health and the Digital

2

20

SSC233

Crime and Deviance in Sport

2

20

SSC237

Sex Work and Sex Industries

2

20

SSC357

Producing the News

2

20

Spanish

 

 

Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications.

1 & 2

20

 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1  In order to progress from Part A to Part B and from Part B to Part 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 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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