Programme Specification
BA Politics, Philosophy and Economics
Academic Year: 2020/21
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 | School of Social Sciences and Humanities |
| Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body | |
| Final award | BA, BA + DPS, BA + DIntS |
| Programme title | Politics, Philosophy and Economics |
| Programme code | |
| Length of programme | Typically 3 years (full-time)/ 4 years including DPS or DIntS |
| UCAS code | |
| Admissions criteria | |
| Date at which the programme specification was published | Wed, 15 Jul 2020 16:01:07 BST |
1. Programme Aims
The BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) offers students the opportunity to engage with and analyse contemporary and historical issues from three key disciplinary perspectives. Drawing on the insights of key fields of study—Politics, Philosophy and Economics—this course provides students with the skills necessary to understand complex problems, evaluate available solutions, and advance their ideas persuasively through robust argument.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
UK quality code for Higher Education, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
QAA Subject Benchmark Statements for Politics (2015), Philosophy (2015), and Economics (2015)
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:
K1. the core principles and ideas comprising each of the disciplines of Political Science, Philosophy and Economics respectively;
K2. competing interpretations of the political and economic contexts through which society has evolved and currently operates;
K3. philosophical frameworks with a particular emphasis on ethics and policy;
K4. theories and methods used in the study of Politics, Philosophy and Economics respectively;
K5. how the disciplines of Politics, Philosophy and Economics can be appropriately combined for the analysis of real-world problems.
3.2 Skills and other attributes
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to
C1. identify and apply appropriate research methods for the study of political, philosophical and/or economic phenomena;
C2. critically evaluate political, philosophical and/or economic arguments, ideas and events and defend personal standpoint through reasoned argument;
C3. use appropriate supporting evidence and illustrative examples to discuss and/or explain complex political, philosophical and/or economic ideas and events;
C4. use analysis and argument to propose solutions to complex political, philosophical and/or economic problems
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to
P1. use appropriate information technologies to retrieve information from a variety of primary and secondary sources;
P2. evaluate sources and the ethical issues relating to research in Politics, Philosophy and Economics;
P3. undertake independent research in an area of Politics, Philosophy and/or Economics under supervision;
P4. summarise and synthesise relevant academic and policy debates from an interdisciplinary perspective.
c. Key transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to
T1. manage personal learning and development efficiently and effectively;
T2. evaluate alternative solutions to complex problems;
T3. work with others for collective benefit and knowledge advancement;
T4. communicate clearly and effectively in written and oral form to a range of diverse audiences.
4. Programme structure
Politics, Philosophy & Economics
In all Parts, compulsory and optional modules must be taken such that the total modular weight for the year is 120 credits, with a minimum modular weight of 50 credits in either semester. Credit distribution in any given academic year should be 60/60, 70/50 or 50/70. All module choice is subject to availability, timetabling, student number restrictions and students having taken appropriate pre-requisite modules.
INTRODUCTORY MODULES
Part A
Semester 1 and 2
Compulsory modules
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PIA901 |
Introduction to Philosophy (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
|
ECA501 |
Introduction to Macroeconomics (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
|
ECA502 |
Introduction to Microeconomics (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
Semester 1
Compulsory modules
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PIA001 |
Smart Scholarship |
10 |
|
PIA801 |
Power, Politics & Ideology in Modern Europe |
20 |
Semester 2
Compulsory modules
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PIA610 |
Conceptions of Democracy |
10 |
|
PIA617 |
International Political Theory |
10 |
|
PIA805 |
British Politics and Government |
10 |
DEGREE MODULES
Part B
Semester 1 and 2
Compulsory modules
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PIB902 |
Philosophy, Epistemology & Metaphysics (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
|
ECB016 |
History of Economic Thought (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
|
ECB015 |
Economics of the Financial System (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
Semester 1
Compulsory modules ( 20 credits)
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PIB628 |
History of Political Thought |
20 |
Semester 2
Compulsory modules (20 credits)
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PIB800 |
Research Design |
10 |
|
PIB637 |
Political Simulation |
10 |
Optional modules - Students should select one 20-credit module from either Semester 1 or Semester 2
Semester One – optional modules
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PIB601 |
The European Union |
20 |
|
PIB619 |
Critical Security Studies |
20 |
|
PIB620 |
Comparative European Politics |
20 |
Semester Two – optional modules
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PIB632 |
Politics of Developing Countries |
20 |
|
PIB634 |
The American Century: US Politics and Society in the 20th Century |
20 |
Part I
Candidates will undertake one of the following approved study and/or work placements leading to the Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) or Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) in accordance with Regulation XI.
|
Code |
Title |
|
PII003 |
Diploma in Professional Studies |
|
PII004 |
Diploma in International Studies |
|
LAN900 |
Diploma in International Studies (overseas work placement in a foreign language) |
|
GYI100 |
Year in Enterprise (DPS) |
|
GYI200 |
Professional Training Placement & Overseas Study (6+6) (DIntS) |
Part C
80 credits are compulsory at Part C. Students should select 40 credits of optional modules. A maximum of 20 credits of Economics modules may be chosen. The number of credits studied must not exceed 70 in any one semester. Credit distribution should be 60/60, 70/50 or 50/70.
Semester 1 and 2
Compulsory modules (40 credits)
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PICXXX |
PPE Dissertation (Sem 1: 20 credits; Sem 2: 20 credits) |
40 |
Optional modules - Students should choose either ECC012 OR ECC013
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
ECC012 |
Financial Economics (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
|
ECC013 |
International Economic Relations (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
Semester 1
Compulsory modules (20 credits)
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PIC660 |
Contemporary Political Philosophy |
20 |
Semester 1 - optional modules
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PIC682 |
International Politics of the Middle East |
20 |
|
PIC680 |
Populist Challenges to Western Democracies |
20 |
|
PIC604 |
State, Violence and Terrorism |
20 |
|
PIC688 |
Critical Security Studies |
20 |
Semester 2
Compulsory modules (20 credits)
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
ECC017 |
The Economics of Social Issues |
20 |
Semester 2 – optional modules
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PIC685 |
Power, Politics and Participation in the Digital Age |
20 |
|
PIC677 |
Britain and the EU |
20 |
|
PIC684 |
War in the 21st Century |
20 |
|
PIC720 |
After Empire: South Asia since 1945 |
20 |
5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award
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 satisfy the requirements set out in Regulation XX.
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.
