Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
LE11 3TU
+44 (0)1509 222222
Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

BA (Hons) Politics, History and International Relations

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/DPS
Programme title Politics, History and International Relations
Programme code EUUB12
Length of programme
UCAS code LV21/LV22
Admissions criteria

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/departments/phir/politics-history-international-relations/

Date at which the programme specification was published Mon, 18 Dec 2017 16:17:50 GMT

1. Programme Aims

  1. To provide students with an intellectually stimulating environment within which they can develop knowledge, understanding and skills in Politics, History and International Relations.
  2. To encourage a sense of enthusiasm for Politics, History and International Relations; to foster critical, creative and independent thinking; and to develop a sensitive and disciplined approach.
  3. To stimulate productive reflection on the similarities and differences between modes of study in each subject.
  4. 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 Benchmarking statement for Politics and International Relations
  • QAA Benchmarking statement for History
  • 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 subject

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

K1. discuss the nature and characteristics of a variety of political, historical and international issues, ideas and phenomena;

K2. analyse the social, economic and historical context in which political systems evolve and operate;

K3. explain competing interpretations of political, historical and international issues and events;

K4. apply concepts, theories and methods used in the study of politics, history and international relations to analyse ideas, institutions and practices;

K5. use primary evidence in historical argument.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1. choose appropriate methods to investigate key issues and events in politics, history and international relations;

C2. evaluate political opinions, ideas and events and defend personal preferences through reasoned argument;

C3. use supporting evidence and illustrative examples to discuss and/or explain complex political, historical and international phenomena and events;

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

C5. recognise the complexities and diversity of past events and mentalities;

C6. discuss the problems inherent in historical sources and in interpreting the past.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1. use information technology to retrieve information from a variety of primary and secondary sources and to communicate ideas orally, visually and in writing;

P2. evaluate sources and the ethical issues relating to research in politics, history and 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 will be able to:

T1. use constructive criticism to improve and strengthen work;

T2. work independently, demonstrating initiative and the ability to manage time and resources effectively;

T3. apply research skills and practices to offer interpretations of complex and unfamiliar ideas, abstract concepts, phenomena and events in politics, history and international relations;

T4. summarise academic debates drawn from a range of introductory and specialist research literatures, fluently and with sophistication, to a range of specialist and non-specialist audiences;

T5. evaluate alternative solutions to complex problems;

T6. work with others for collective benefit and knowledge advancement.

4. Programme structure

4.1 Notes

4.1.1 In both Parts A and B, candidates must take 40 credits of Politics, 40 credits of History and 40 credits of International Relations. In Part C, candidates must take 20 credits of each, and may choose modules from any subject for the further 60 credits required.

4.1.2 Candidates must take a minimum module weight of 50 in each semester, taking into account both compulsory and optional modules.

4.1.3 Due to timetabling constraints, not all option combinations may be available.

4.1.4 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.

4.1.5 Candidates following the four-year 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.

 

4.2 Content

(1)          Part A – Introductory Modules

(i)           COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 120 Credits)

Code

Title

Semester

Modular Weight

EUA001

Introduction to Academic Studies

1

10

EUA601

Contemporary World Arena (20 Credit)

1

20

EUA607

Introduction to Democratic Government

1

10

EUA701

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

1

20

EUA613

Political Ideologies (20 Credit)

2

20

EUA617

International Political Theory

2

10

EUA621

International Organisations

2

10

EUA704

What is History?

2

10

EUA707

Modern World History (10 Credit)

2

10

 

(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 Credits)

Code

Title

Subject

Semester

Modular Weight

EUB605

Theories and Methods in Political Research

Politics or IR

1

10

One module from:

 

 

 

EUB608

Research Design

Politics or IR

2

10

EUB708

Crafting a Dissertation

History

2

10

 

 (ii)  Optional Modules (total modular weight 100 Credits)

Candidates should choose modules in Politics, History and International Relations (some modules count as more than one subject), totalling 40 credits in each subject (including compulsory modules).  Candidates should note that combinations of modules of the same titles but with different credit-weightings are mutually exclusive.

 

Code

Title

Subject

Semester

Modular Weight

EUB601

The European Union (20 Credit)

Politics or IR

1

20

EUB619

Security Studies

IR

1

20

EUB625

The European Union (10 Credit)

Politics or IR

1

10

EUB628

History of Political Thought (20 Credit)

Politics

1

20

EUB629

History of Political Thought (10 Credit)

Politics

1

10

EUB630

British Politics

Politics

1

20

EUB632

Third World Politics

Politics or IR

1

20

EUB634

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

Politics or History or IR

1

20

EUB706

Twentieth Century Britain: United Kingdom? (20 Credit)

History

1

20

EUB707

Twentieth Century Britain: United Kingdom? (10 Credit)

History

1

10

EUB714

Modern China in a Global Perspective (20 Credit)

History

1

20

EUB715

Modern China in a Global Perspective (10 Credit)

History

1

10

EUB724

Slavery in Global History (20 Credit)

History

1

20

EUB728

Victorian Values: Sex, Race, Religion and Deviance in Late Nineteenth Century Britain (20 Credits)

History

1

20

EUB729

Victorian Values: Sex, Race, Religion and Deviance in Late Nineteenth Century Britain (10 credits)

History

1

10

EUB604

Comparative European Politics (20 Credit)

Politics

2

20

EUB612

Foreign Policy Analysis (20 Credit)

IR

2

20

EUB620

Comparative European Politics (10 Credit)

Politics

2

10

EUB621

Foreign Policy Analysis (10 Credit)

IR

2

10

EUB631

Protest and Resistance

Politics or IR

2

20

EUB633

Enterprise, Employability and Personal Development

Politics or History or IR

2

10

EUB702

Cold War Europe (20 credit)

Politics or History or IR

2

20

EUB703

Cold War Europe (10 credit)

Politics or History or IR

2

10

EUB712

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

History

2

20

EUB713

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

History

2

10

EUB732

Modern Russia from Emancipation to Revolution (20 Credit)

History

2

20

EUB733

Modern Russia from Emancipation to Revolution (10 Credit)

History

2

10

  

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 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 or Crafting a Dissertation module. Candidates who opt for this route must ensure that they have taken a total of 60 credits in Semester One, including compulsory module EUB605 (which may count as either Politics or IR - see 'Subject' column below) and the remaining credits made up of optional modules so that oveall 20 credits come from Politics, 20 credits from History and 20 credits from International Relations.  Candidates should note that combinations of modules of the same titles but with different credit-weightings are mutually exclusive.

(i)  Compulsory Modules (total modular weight 70 Credits)

Code

Title

Subject

Semester

Modular Weight

EUB605

Theories and Methods in Political Research

Politics or IR

1

10

EUB001

International Semester

 

2

50

One module from:

 

 

 

EUB614

Research Design (Distance Learning)

Politics or IR

2

10

EUB709

Crafting a Dissertation (Distance Learning)

History

2

10

 

(ii)  Optional Modules (total modular weight 50 Credits)

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

Code

Title

Subject

Semester

Modular Weight

EUB601

The European Union (20 Credit)

Politics or IR

1

20

EUB619

Security Studies

IR

1

20

EUB625

The European Union (10 Credit)

Politics or IR

1

10

EUB628

History of Political Thought (20 Credit)

Politics

1

20

EUB629

History of Political Thought (10 Credit)

Politics

1

10

EUB630

British Politics

Politics

1

20

EUB632

Third World Politics

Politics or IR

1

20

EUB634

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

Politics or History or IR

1

20

EUB706

Twentieth Century Britain: United Kingdom? (20 Credit)

History

1

20

EUB707

Twentieth Century Britain: United Kingdom? (10 Credit)

History

1

10

EUB714

Modern China in a Global Perspective (20 Credit)

History

1

20

EUB715

Modern China in a Global Perspective (10 Credit)

History

1

10

EUB724

Slavery in Global History (20 Credit)

History

1

20

EUB728

Victorian Values: Sex, Race, Religion and Deviance in Late Nineteenth Century Britain (20 Credits)

History

1

20

EUB729

Victorian Values: Sex, Race, Religion and Deviance in Late Nineteenth Century Britain (10 credits)

History

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

Candidates must take a minimum of 20 credits of Politics, 20 credits of History and 20 credits of International Relations.  In choosing optional subjects, candidates must ensure that they study a minimum of 50 credits and a maximum of 70 credits in each Semester.  Credit from either Dissertation module must be split equally (20:20) across both Semesters.

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

Code

Title

Subject

Semester

Modular Weight

One module from:

 

 

 

EUC643

Dissertation in Politics and International Relations

Politics or IR

1 & 2

40

EUC701

Dissertation in History

History

1 & 2

40

  

(ii)  Optional Modules (total modular weight 80 Credits)

Code

Title

Subject

Semester

Modular Weight

EUC602

Nationalism: blood, soil and citizens

Politics or IR

1

20

EUC604

State Violence and Terrorism

Politics or IR

1

20

EUC628

The Asia Pacific in Global Politics

IR

1

20

EUC660

Contemporary Political Philosophy

Politics

1

20

EUC666

Gender and Politics

Politics or IR

1

20

EUC715

Fear of East Asia and the Global Order

History

1

20

EUC716

Empire, War and Popular Culture in Britain c.1880-1930

History or Politics or IR

1

20

EUC718

Soviet Visual Culture

History

1

20

EUC658

Art, Politics and Society

Politics

2

20

EUC665

Post-War British Politics: The Start of the Decline

Politics or History

2

20

EUC677

Britain and the European Union

Politics or IR

2

20

EUC678

No Gods! No Masters! Anarchism Past and Present

Politics

2

20

EUC680

The Populist Challenge to Western Democracies

Politics

2

20

EUC681

Small Wars

Politics or History or IR

2

20

EUC703

Revolution in the Head: The Beatles and Sixties Britain

History

2

20

EUC705

The Rise of the Nazis

History

2

20

EUC713

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

History

2

20

  

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 percentage mark.

Related links

Prospective students

Image of a University homepage screengrab

Information on studying at Loughborough University, including course information, facilities, and student experience.

Find out more »

How to print a programme specification:

1. Select programme specification
2. Save specification as a PDF
3. Print PDF