Programme Specification
BA (Hons) 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:
- Reg. XX (Undergraduate Awards) (see University Regulations)
- Module Specifications
- 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 |
Admissions criteria | http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/departments/phir/internationalrelations/ |
Date at which the programme specification was published | Tue, 09 Sep 2014 09:42:32 BST |
1. Programme Aims
- To introduce students to problems, concepts and debates in International Relations, informed by research at the forefront of contemporary debates.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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.
4 Content
(1) Part A - Introductory Modules
Semester 1
(i) COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 50)
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
EUA001 |
Introduction to Academic Studies |
10 |
EUA601 |
Contemporary World Arena |
20 |
EUA701 |
Modern Europe: from the Enlightenment to the Present (20 credit) |
20 |
(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 10)
Candidates choose one elective subject group, which must be followed throughout Part A from:
Communications and Media Studies: SSA301
Economics: ECA001
English: EAA101
French: 10 credit module from a list produced by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations, depending on candidates’ previous qualifications
German: 10 credit module from a list produced by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations, depending on candidates’ previous qualifications
Geography: GYA004
Business: BSA505
Mandarin Chinese: EUL401
Criminology and Social Policy: SSA201
Social Psychology: SSA102
Sociology: SSA001
Spanish: 10 credit module from a list produced by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations, depending on candidates’ previous qualifications
Semester 2
(i) COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 50)
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
EUA617 |
Approaches to International Relations |
10 |
EUA619 |
Analysing Current Issues in Politics and International Relations |
10 |
EUA613 |
Political Ideologies |
20 |
EUA607 |
Introduction to Democratic Government |
10 |
(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 10)
Communication and Media Studies: SSA302
Economics: ECA001
English: EAA201
French: 10 credit module from a list produced by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations, depending on candidates’ previous qualifications
Geography: GYA104
German: 10 credit module from a list produced by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations, depending on candidates’ previous qualifications
Business: BSA506
Mandarin Chinese: EUL422
Criminology and Social Policy: SSA202
Social Psychology: SSA101
Sociology: SSA002
Spanish: 10 credit module from a list produced by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations, depending on students’ previous qualifications and experience.
(2) Part B - Degree Modules
(A) EITHER – Standard Route
(i) COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 20)
Semester 1
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
EUB626 |
Debates and Developments in Contemporary International Relations Theory |
10 |
Semester 2
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
EUB608 |
Research Design |
10 |
Semesters 1&2
(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 100)
Candidates choose a total of 100 credits from the following:
(a) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - modules to a minimum value of 80 and a maximum value of 100 credits from the following list:
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
Semester |
EUB612 |
Foreign Policy Analysis |
20 |
1 |
EUB621 |
Foreign Policy Analysis (10 credit) |
10 |
1 |
EUB632 |
Third World Politics |
20 |
1 |
EUB619 |
Security Studies |
20 |
1 |
EUB702 |
Cold War Europe (20 credit) |
20 |
1 |
EUB703 |
Cold War Europe (10 credit) |
10 |
1 |
EUB601 |
The European Union |
20 |
2 |
EUB625 |
The European Union (10 credit) |
10 |
2 |
EUB631 |
Protest and Resistance |
20 |
2 |
EUB615 |
Challenges to International Governance |
20 |
2 |
EUB634 |
Foreign Policy in Perspective (20 credit) |
20 |
2 |
EUB635 |
Foreign Policy in Perspective (10 credit) |
10 |
2 |
EUB633 |
Enterprise, Employability and Personal Development |
10 |
2 |
(b) ELECTIVES - if fewer than 100 credits are chosen under (a), candidates choose modules up to a value of 20 credits from one of the elective subject groups listed in Section 4 (1) (ii) of these Regulations. A list of the elective subject modules will be published by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations. Choices of elective subject modules will be subject to satisfying any prerequisites set out in individual module specifications.
(B) 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 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 taken a total of 60 credits in Semester One.
Semester 1
(i) COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 10)
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
EUB626 |
Debates and Developments in Contemporary International Relations Theory |
10 |
(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES - (total modular weight 50)
Candidates choose a total of 50 credits from the following:
(a) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - modules to a minimum value of 40 and a maximum value of 50 credits from the following list:
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
EUB612 |
Foreign Policy Analysis |
20 |
EUB621 |
Foreign Policy Analysis (10 credit) |
10 |
EUB632 |
Third World Politics |
20 |
EUB619 |
Security Studies |
20 |
EUB702 |
Cold War Europe (20 credit) |
20 |
EUB703 |
Cold War Europe (10 credit) |
10 |
ELECTIVES - if fewer than 50 credits are chosen under (a), candidates choose modules up to a value of 10 credits from one of the elective subject groups listed in Section 4 (1) (ii) of these Regulations. A list of the elective subject modules will be published by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations. Choices of elective subject modules will be subject to satisfying any prerequisites set out in individual module specifications.
Semester 2
COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 60)
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
EUB001 |
International Semester |
50 |
EUB614 |
Research Design (Distance Learning) |
10 |
(3) 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.
(4) Part C - Degree Modules
Semesters 1 & 2
(i) COMPULSORY MODULE (total modular weight 40)
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
EUC643 |
Dissertation in Politics and International Relations |
40 |
(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES
As a result of option choices, students may not be registered for more than 70 or fewer than 50 credits in any one Semester.
Candidates choose a total of 80 credits from the following:
(a) modules to a minimum value of 40 and a maximum value of 80 credits from the following list:
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
Semester |
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 |
(b) if fewer than 80 credits are chosen under (a), candidates choose modules up to a value of 40 credits from one of the elective subject groups listed in Section 4 (1) (ii) of these Regulations. A list of the elective subject modules will be published by the Department of Politics, History and International Relations. Choices of elective subject modules will be subject to satisfying any prerequisites set out in individual module specifications.
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.