Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

1. To introduce students to problems, concepts and debates in International Relations, informed by research at the forefront of contemporary debates.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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
• 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 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

International Relations

This is a three-year long full-time degree programme.  In each of the three parts (years) of the degree (A, B and C), students take modules amounting to 120 credits with a minimum modular weight of 50 credits in each Semester, taking into account compulsory, optional and elective modules.

In addition, students have the opportunity to undertake a Placement Year (Part I) after Part B.

Important Note: No module may be taken and passed more than once.  Optional module availability is subject to timetabling constraints and optional modules may be subject to change.

Part A – Introductory Modules

(i) Compulsory Modules (total modular weight 100 Credits)

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

Students must choose 20 credits of optional modules from:

Part B – Degree Modules

EITHER

(a) Standard Route

(i) Compulsory Modules (total modular weight 20 Credits)

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

In addition to the compulsory modules PIB605 and PIB800, students must choose a minimum modular weight of 80 Credits of Group 1 modules over Semesters 1 and 2.  The remaining 20 Credits may be taken from Groups 1 and 2. Combinations of modules of the same titles but with different credit weightings are mutually exclusive.

Group 1 – International Relations Optional Modules

Group 2 – Other Optional Modules

Choice of elective subject modules will be subject to satisfying any prerequisites set out in individual module specifications.

OR

(b) International Semester Route

Students may replace the modules required for Part B Semester 2 with an approved course of study taught in English at a foreign University.  In Semester 2, students will undertake assessed work equivalent to 50 credits, as required by Politics and International Studies, along with a Distance Learning Research Design module. Students who opt for this route must ensure that they have selected a total of 60 Credits in Semester 1.

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

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

In addition to the compulsory modules PIB605, PIB001 and PIB801, candidates must choose a minimum modular weight of 40 Credits and a maximum modular weight of 50 Credits from Group 1 modules in Semester 1.  If a weight of 40 Credits is chosen from Group 1, candidates should choose a 10 Credit module from Group 2.  Candidates should note that combinations of modules of the same titles but with different credit weightings are mutually exclusive.

Group 1 – International Relations Optional Modules

Group 2 – Other Optional Modules

Choice of elective subject modules will be subject to satisfying any prerequisites set out in individual module specifications.

Part I

Students 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.

Part C – Degree Modules

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

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

In addition to the compulsory module PIC800, students must choose a minimum modular weight of 60 Credits from Group 1 modules over Semesters 1 and 2.  The remaining 20 Credits may be chosen from Groups 1 or 2. Choices of modules from Group 2 will be subject to satisfying any pre-requisites set out in individual module specifications.

Group 1 – International Relations Optional Modules

Group 2 – Other Optional Modules

Choice 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, 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.