Programme Specifications

Programme summary

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
• School 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

Politics, History and 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

Compulsory Modules (total modular weight 120 Credits)

Part B – Degree Modules

EITHER

(a) Standard Route

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

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

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

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, including compulsory module PIB605 (which may count as either Politics or IR – see ‘subject’ column below) and the remaining credits made up of optional modules so that overall 20 Credits come from Politics, 20 Credits from History and 20 Credits from International Relations.  Students 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)

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

Students should choose modules in Politics, History and International Relations (some modules count as more than one subject). A minimum of 10 Credits and a maximum of 20 Credits should be chosen in each subject. Students should note that combinations of modules of the same titles but with different credit-weightings are mutually exclusive.

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

Students must take a minimum of 20 Credits of Optional Modules in Politics, 20 Credits of Optional Modules in History and 20 Credits of Optional Modules in International Relations. In choosing optional subjects, students must ensure that they study 60 Credits in each Semester. Credits from the Dissertation module will be split equally (20:20) across both Semesters.

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

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

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.