Programme Specifications

Programme summary

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 Credits)

(ii)          OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 20 Credits)

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

(2)          Part B – Degree Modules

EITHER

(a)  Standard Route

(i)  COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 20 Credits)

(ii)  OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 100 Credits)

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 modules are likely to cover:

• European Politics

• Security and Governance

• Foreign Policy Analysis

• US Politics

• Third World Politics

Group 2 Elective Subject modules can be chosen from a range offered by:

• Business

• Economics

• English

• Languages (French, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese)

• History

• Geography

• Social Sciences

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 Credits)

(ii)          OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 50 Credits)

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 International Relations modules are likely to cover:

• European Politics

• Security and Governance

• US Politics

• Third World Politics

Group 2 Elective Subject modules can be chosen from a range offered by:

• Business

• Languages (French, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese)

• History

• Geography

• Social Sciences

(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 Credits)

(ii)  OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 80 Credits)

In addition to the compulsory module EUC643, candidates must choose a minimum modular weight of 60 Credits 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 International Relations modules are likely to cover:

• British Politics

• Security and Governance

• Global Politics

• Western Democracies

Group 2 Elective Subject modules can be chosen from a range offered by:

• Business

• Economics

• English

• Languages (French, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese)

• History

• Geography

• Social Sciences

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 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.