Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

BA (Hons) Politics with Economics

Academic Year: 2018/19

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 School of Social Sciences - pre 2019
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body
Final award BA (Hons)/BA (Hons) + DPS/BA (Hons) + DIntS
Programme title Politics with Economics
Programme code EUUB16
Length of programme The duration of the programme is either 6 semesters (three-year programme), or 8 semesters (four-year programme, including a placement year). 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 L2L1, L2LA
Admissions criteria

BA (Hons) - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/l2l1

BA (Hons) + DPS/DIntS - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/l2la

Date at which the programme specification was published Wed, 05 Sep 2018 11:29:28 BST

1. Programme Aims

  1. To introduce the concepts and principles that underpin politics, informed by research that fosters critical and independent thought.
  2. To introduce students to debates about power and distribution which lie at the heart of politics (‘who gets what, when, how and why’) and hone the analytic skills required to determine the legitimacy of distributions.
  3. To engage students in debates about political events, institutions and ideas as a route to their engagement in politics as citizens and actors in the global political arena.
  4. To familiarise students with the methodological and theoretical assumptions which underpin political arguments.
  5. To familiarise students with key concepts in critical political analysis, including power, justice, accountability, order, dissent, violence, sovereignty, governance and decision-making.
  6. To familiarise students with a selection of concepts and examples in economics.
  7. To enable 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 statement for Politics and International Relations
  • Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
  • University Learning and Teaching Strategy
  • School 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 will be able to:

K1. discuss the nature and characteristics of a variety of political 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 issues and events;

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

K5. explain and evaluate concepts of political change such as revolution, war, crisis, protest, agency, and modernity;

K6. discuss key concepts and examples from economics.

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 in explanatory and normative political theory and political science to investigate key issues and events in politics;

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 phenomena and events in politics and economics;

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

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 and economics;

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, political phenomena and events;

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

Part A – Introductory Modules

Students must be registered for a minimum of 50 credits and a maximum of 70 credits in any one Semester.

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

Code

Title

Modular Weight

Semester

EUA001

Smart Scholarship

10

1

EUA803

The Making and Unmaking of the World Order

10

1

EUA601

Contemporary World Arena (20 credit)

20

1

EUA610

Conceptions of Democracy

10

2

EUA607

Understanding Democratic Institutions

10

2

EUA801

Power, Politics & Ideology in Modern Europe

20

2

ECA001

Principles of Macroeconomics

20

1 & 2

ECA002

Principles of Microeconomics

20

1 & 2

 

Part B – Degree 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 40 Credits)

Code

Title

Modular Weight

Semester

EUB605

Theories and Methods in Political Research

10

1

EUB628

History of Political Thought

20

1

EUB800

Research Design

10

2

(ii)          OPTIONAL MODULES – POLITICS AND LANGUAGES (TOTAL MODULAR WEIGHT 40 Credits)

Candidates not studying a Foreign Language must take 40 credits of Politics modules from those listed below.  Candidates studying a Foreign Language take 20 credits of Politics modules.

As a result of option choices, candidates may not be registered for more than 70 credits or fewer than 50 credits in any one Semester.

Code

Title

Modular Weight

Semester

Politics

 

   

EUB601

The European Union (20 credits)

20

1

EUB625

The European Union (10 Credits)

10

1

EUB630

British Politics

20

1

EUB633

Enterprise, Employability and Personal Development

10

1

EUB604

Comparative European Politics (20 Credits)

20

2

EUB620

Comparative European Politics (10 Credits)

10

2

EUB632

Politics of Developing Countries

20

2

EUB634

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

20

2

SSB352

Political Communications

10

2

Foreign Language

 

   

French, German, Spanish or Mandarin Chinese

One 10-credit module in each Semester from a list produced by the Language Centre, depending on candidates’ previous qualifications

10 + 10

1 & 2

 

(iii)         OPTIONAL MODULES – ECONOMICS (total modular weight 40 Credits)

Candidates must choose 40 credits from their minor subject listed below.

Code

Title

Modular Weight

Semester

Economics

 

   

ECB001

Intermediate Macroeconomics

20

1 & 2

ECB002

Intermediate Microeconomics

20

1 & 2

ECB004

Introduction to Financial Economics

20

1 & 2

ECB005

International Economic Relations

20

1 & 2

ECB015

Economics of the Financial System

20

1 & 2

ECB136

Transport Economics

20

1

ECB035

The Economics of Social Issues

20

2

 

PART I

Candidates following the four-year programme are required to undertake a Part I placement, which occurs between Parts B and C and may be EITHER (i) an academic year abroad 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; OR (ii) an academic year abroad on 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; OR (iii) an approved Teaching 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 (iv) an approved placement in the UK or abroad leading to the Diploma in Professional Studies in accordance with Senate Regulation XI.  Participation in a Part I study abroad or placement is subject to School approval and satisfactory academic performance during Parts A and B.

Students choosing to study on the Semester Abroad at Part B will only be allowed to take the Part I study abroad year in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the School of Social Sciences.

 

PART C – Degree Modules

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

(i)           COMPULSORY MODULE (TOTAL MODULAR WEIGHT 40 Credits)

Code

Title

Modular Weight

Semester

EUC800

Dissertation

40

1 & 2

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

Candidates choose a total of 80 credits from the following:

As a result of option choices, candidates may not be registered for more than 70 credits or fewer than 50 credits in any one Semester.

(a)  modules to a minimum value of 20 credits and a maximum value of 40 credits from the following list:

Code

Title

Modular Weight

Semester

Politics

 

   

EUC604

State Violence and Terrorism

20

1

EUC628

The Asia Pacific in Global Politics

20

1

EUC660

Contemporary Political Philosophy

20

1

EUC679

1968 - World Revolution?

20

1

EUC680

The Populist Challenge to Western Democracies

20

1

EUC682

International Politics of the Middle East

20

1

EUC716

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

20

1

EUC665

Postwar Britain: The Start of the Decline

20

2

EUC666

Gender & Politics

20

2

EUC677

Britain and the European Union

20

2

EUC684

War in the 21st Century

20

2

EUC685

Power, Politics & Participation in the Digital Age

20

2

EUC686

International Conflict Management

20

2

EUC687

The Politics of Militarism

20

2

EUC720

After Empire: South Asia since 1945

20

2

Foreign Language

 

   

French, German, Spanish or Mandarin Chinese

One 10-credit module in each Semester from a list produced by the Language Centre, depending on candidates’ previous qualifications

10 + 10

1 & 2

 

(b)  modules to a minimum value of 20 credits and a maximum value of 40 credits from the following list:

Code

Title

Modular Weight

Semester

Economics

 

 

 

ECC012

Introduction to Financial Economics

20

1 & 2

ECC013

International Economic Relations

20

1 & 2

ECC014

Economics of the Financial System

20

1 & 2

ECC019

Transport Economics

20

1

ECC017

The Economics of Social Issues

20

2

 

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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