Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

BA (Hons) History and International Relations (2017 entry)

Academic Year: 2017/18

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 VL12/VL1G
Admissions criteria

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

Date at which the programme specification was published Tue, 01 Aug 2017 15:28:41 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

4.1

(1)      Candidates normally study a total modular weight of 60 credits in both History and Politics 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 qualifications.  These candidates must take at least 50 credits in both History and Politics 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 Politics 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.

(4)       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

History Component

(i) Compulsory Modules (total modular weight 40 Credits)

Code

Title

Semester

Modular Weight

EUA001

Introduction to Academic Studies

1

10

EUA703

Modern World History: New Perspectives

2

20

EUA704

What is History?

2

10

(ii)  Optional Modules (total modular weight 20 Credits)

Students can either take a 20 credit module in each semester, or a 10 credit module with a language option.

Code

Title

Modular Weight

Semester 1

 

Either:

 

EUA701

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

20

Or, for candidates taking a Language Option:

 

EUA702

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

10

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

10

Semester 2

 

None

 

 

International Relations Component

(i) Compulsory Modules (total modular weight 40 Credits)

Code

Title

Semester

Modular Weight

EUA601

Contemporary World Arena

1

20

EUA607

Introduction to Democratic Government

1

10

EUA617

International Political Theory

2

10

(ii)  Optional Modules (total modular weight 30 Credits)

Code

Title

Modular Weight

Semester 2

 

Either:

 

EUA614

Political ideologies (10 Credit)

10

EUA621

International Organisations

10

Or, for candidates taking a Language Option:

 

EUA621

International Organisations

10

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

10

 

(2)  Part B – Degree Modules

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

EITHER  -

(a)  Standard Route

Candidates must choose either EUB608 Research Design (International Relations) or EUB708 Crafting a Dissertation (History) in Semester Two.

History Component

(i) COMPULSORY MODULES

None

(ii)  OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 60 Credits, 30 in each semester)

 Candidates should note that combinations of modules of the same titles but with different credit-weightings are mutually exclusive.

History optional modules are likely to cover:

  • European History

  • 19th Century History

  • Global History

  • British History

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

  

International Relations Component

(i)           COMPULSORY MODULE (total modular weight 10 Credits)

Code

Title

Semester

Modular Weight

EUB605

Theories and methods in Political Research

1

10

 

(ii)          OPTIONAL MODULES (total weight 20 Credits in Semester 1 and 30 Credits in Semester 2)

Candidates should note that combinations of modules of the same titles but with different credit-weightings are mutually exclusive.

International Relations optional modules are likely to cover:

  • European Politics

  • Security and Governance

  • International Political History

  • 20th Century Politics

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

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. Candidates must register for a total of 60 credits in History and International Relations in Semester 1 with a minimum of 20 credits in History and a minimum of 20 credits in International Relations.  Candidates should note that combinations of modules of the same titles but with different credit-weightings are mutually exclusive.

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.

 History optional modules are likely to cover:

  • 19th Century History

  • Global History

  • British History

International Relations optional modules are likely to cover:

  • European Politics

  • Security and Governance

  • 20th Century International Politics

Semester 2

Compulsory Module (total modular weight 50 Credits)

Code

Title

Semester

Modular Weight

EUB001

International Semester

2

50

 

Optional Module (total modular weight 10 Credits)

Code

Title

Semester

Modular Weight

EUB614

Research Design (Distance Learning) (International Relations)

2

10

EUB709

Creating a Dissertation (Distance Learning) (History)

2

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 either Dissertation must be split equally (20:20) across both Semesters.

 

(i)           COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 40 Credits)

Code

Title

Semester

Modular Weight

One module from:

 

 

EUC701

Dissertation in History

1 & 2

40

EUC643

Dissertation in Politics and International Relations

1 & 2

40

 

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

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

Candidates must choose History modules to the value of 60 credits from a supplied list.  Candidates who have chosen to take EUC701 Dissertation in History should take a further 20 credits of History optional modules to total 60 credits for this component.

 History optional modules are likely to cover:

  • British Political History

  • Global History

  • 20th Century History

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

International Relations Component

Candidates must choose International Relations modules to the value of 60 credits from a supplied list.  Candidates who have chosen to take EUC643 Dissertation in International Relations should  take a further 20 credits of International Relations optional modules to total 60 credits for this component.

 International Relations optional modules are likely to cover:

  • Security and Governance

  • Western Democracies

  • Global Politics

  • British Politics

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.

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