Programme Specification
BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations
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 .
This specification should be read in conjunction with:
- Reg. XX (Undergraduate Awards) (see
- Module Specifications
- Summary
- Aims
- Learning outcomes
- Structure
- Progression & weighting
Programme summary
Awarding body/institution | 天堂视频 |
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/DIntS |
Programme title | Politics and International Relations |
Programme code | EUUB10 |
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 | 1L27/7L27 |
Admissions criteria | BA(Hons) - BA(Hons) + DPS/DIntS - |
Date at which the programme specification was published | Wed, 05 Sep 2018 11:34:12 BST |
1. Programme Aims
1) To introduce the concepts and principles that underpin politics and IR informed by research that fosters critical and independent thought, enabling students to engage in politics as citizens and actors in the global political arena.
2) To introduce students to debates about ‘who gets what, when, how and why’ in domestic and international realms and hone their analytic tools to determine the legitimacy of these distributions.
3) To engage students in debates about national and international events , institutions and ideas and the methodological and theoretical assumptions which underpin political arguments .
4) To familiarise students with key concepts in politics and international relations , including power, justice, accountability, order, conflict, cooperation, violence, sovereignty, governance and decision-making.
5) To combine the study of politics and IR with related disciplines in humanities and social sciences and 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 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 political 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 national and international political issues and events;
K4. apply concepts, theories and methods used in the study of politics and IR to analyse political ideas, institutions and practices.
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 methods to investigate key issues and events in politics and international relations;
C2. evaluate political opinions, ideas and events and defend personal preferences through reasoned argument;
C3. illustrate analyses of politics and international relations with appropriate evidence and examples;
C4. use 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 information from a variety of primary and secondary sources;
P2. use information technology to communicate ideas orally, visually and in writing;
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. use constructive criticism to improve and strengthen work;
T2. work independently, demonstrating initiative and the ability to manage time and resources effectively;
T3. comprehend unfamiliar ideas through individual research and effort;
T4. express abstract ideas, political phenomena and events, fluently and with sophistication, to lay and specialist audiences;
T5. evaluate alternative solutions to complex problems;
T6. collaborate with others for collective benefit and knowledge advancement.
4. Programme structure
4.1 Notes
4.1.1 Modules with a total modular weight of at least 50 must be studied in each academic year (Parts A, B and C) from both Politics and International Relations. Candidates may take 20 credits of Electives in each Part: candidates choose modules derived from a list produced by the School of Social Sciences, depending on the candidate’s previous qualifications.
4.1.2 Candidates must take a minimum module weight of 50 in each semester, taking into account both compulsory and optional modules. Due to timetabling constraints, not all option combinations may be available.
4.2 Content
Students must be registered for a minimum of 50 credits and a maximum of 70 credits in each Semester.
(1) Part A – Introductory Modules
(i) COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight of 100 credits)
Code |
Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
EUA001 |
Smart Scholarship |
1 |
10 |
EUA601 |
Contemporary World Arena |
1 |
20 |
EUA800 |
The Making and Unmaking of the World Order |
1 |
20 |
EUA607 |
Understanding Democratic Institutions |
2 |
10 |
EUA610 |
Conceptions of Democracy |
2 |
10 |
EUA617 |
International Political Theory |
2 |
10 |
EUA801 |
Power, Politics and Ideology in Modern Europe |
2 |
20 |
(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 20 Credits)
Candidates must choose 20 credits from one optional subject group which must be followed through Part A from:
Code |
Title |
Semester(s) |
Modular weight |
Business |
|
|
|
BSA505 |
Organisational Behaviour |
1 |
10 |
BSA506 |
Management of Human Resources |
2 |
10 |
Economics |
|
|
|
ECA001 |
Principles of Macroeconomics |
1 & 2 |
20 |
English |
|
|
|
EAA777 |
Narrative Forms and Fiction |
1 |
20 |
French |
|
|
|
Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications |
1 & 2 |
20 |
|
German |
|
|
|
Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications |
1 & 2 |
20 |
|
Geography |
|
|
|
GYA004 |
Geographies of Global Economic Change |
1 |
10 |
GYA104 |
Geographies of Identity |
2 |
10 |
History |
|
|
|
EUA705 |
Atlantic World: The Americas, Europe and Africa since the 15th Century |
1 |
20 |
Mandarin Chinese |
|
|
|
Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications |
1 & 2 |
20 |
|
Social Sciences |
|
|
|
SSA001 |
Introduction to Sociology: Identities and Inequalities |
1 |
10 |
SSA002 |
Introduction to Sociology: Global, Social and Cultural Change |
2 |
10 |
SSA201 |
Introduction to Criminology & Social Policy A |
1 |
10 |
SSA202 |
Introduction to Criminology & Social Policy B |
2 |
10 |
SSA301 |
Introduction to Communication and Media Studies: Contemporary Trends and Issues |
1 |
10 |
SSA302 |
Introduction to Communication and Media Studies: Historical Debates and Perspectives |
2 |
10 |
Spanish |
|
|
|
Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications |
1 & 2 |
20 |
(2) Part B – Degree Modules
Students must be registered for a minimum of 50 credits and a maximum of 70 credits in each Semester.
EITHER
(a) Standard Route
(i) COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 20 Credits)
Code |
Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
EUB605 |
Theories and Methods in Political Research |
1 |
10 |
EUB800 |
Research Design |
2 |
10 |
(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 100 credits)
In addition to the compulsory modules EUB605 and EUB800, candidates must choose modules in Politics and International Relations, with a minimum modular weight of 40 credits each from groups 1 and 2. Modules in Group 3 count as either subject. Candidates also have the option of selecting 20 credits of elective modules from Group 4. Candidates should note that combinations of modules of the same titles but with different credit-weightings are mutually exclusive.
Group 1 – Politics
Code |
Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
EUB628 |
History of Political Thought (20 Credit) |
1 |
20 |
EUB629 |
History of Political Thought (10 Credit) |
1 |
10 |
EUB630 |
British Politics |
1 |
20 |
EUB604 |
Comparative European Politics (20 Credit) |
2 |
20 |
EUB620 |
Comparative European Politics (10 Credit) |
2 |
10 |
SSB352 |
Political Communication |
2 |
10 |
Group 2 – International Relations
Code |
Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
EUB619 |
Security Studies |
1 |
20 |
EUB802 |
Small Wars |
1 |
20 |
EUB612 |
Foreign Policy Analysis (20 Credit) |
2 |
20 |
EUB621 |
Foreign Policy Analysis (10 Credit) |
2 |
10 |
EUB702 |
Cold War Europe |
2 |
20 |
Group 3 – Politics and International Relations
Code |
Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
EUB601 |
The European Union (20 Credit) |
1 |
20 |
EUB625 |
The European Union (10 Credit) |
1 |
10 |
EUB633 |
Enterprise, Employability and Personal Development |
1 |
10 |
EUB632 |
Politics of Developing Countries |
2 |
20 |
EUB634 |
The American Century: US Politics and Society in the 20th Century |
2 |
20 |
Group 4 – Elective Modules (maximum modular weight 20 Credits)
Candidates may take up to 20 credits of electives from those subjects listed below. Choice of elective modules will be subject to satisfying any prerequisites set out in individual module specifications.
Code |
Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
Business |
|
|
|
BSB530 |
Accounting for Business |
1 |
10 |
BSB555 |
Organisation Studies |
1 |
10 |
BSB580 |
Operations Management |
1 |
10 |
BSB532 |
Accounting for managers |
2 |
10 |
BSB590 |
The Contemporary Business Environment |
2 |
10 |
Economics |
|
|
|
ECB037 |
Microeconomics |
1 & 2 |
20 |
English |
|
|
|
EAB008 |
Victorian Literature |
1 |
20 |
EAB039 |
Nineteenth-Century American Literature |
1 |
20 |
EAB012 |
African American Culture |
2 |
20 |
EAB114 |
An Introduction to Creative Writing |
2 |
20 |
French |
|
|
|
Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications |
1 & 2 |
20 |
|
German |
|
|
|
Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications |
1 & 2 |
20 |
|
Geography |
|
|
|
GYB211 |
Globalization |
1 |
10 |
GYB222 |
Geographies of Social Difference |
1 |
10 |
GYB110 |
Sustainable Urban Geographies |
2 |
10 |
GYB320 |
Global Migration |
2 |
10 |
History |
|
|
|
EUB712 |
Modern Germany: Recovery from Ruin, 1945-present |
1 |
20 |
EUB722 |
Modern France: A History of Conflict? |
1 |
20 |
EUB702 |
Cold War Europe |
2 |
20 |
EUB714 |
Modern China in a Global Perspective |
2 |
20 |
EUB724 |
Slavery in Global History |
2 |
20 |
Mandarin Chinese |
|
|
|
Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications |
1 & 2 |
20 |
|
Social Sciences |
|
|
|
SSB023 |
Religion and Society |
1 |
10 |
SSB216 |
Women and Crime: Victims, offenders and Survivors |
1 |
10 |
SSB360 |
The media in Global Context |
1 |
10 |
SSB036 |
Digital Lives & Society |
2 |
10 |
SSB234 |
Media, Culture and Crime |
2 |
10 |
SSB239 |
Drugs: Society, Politics and Policy |
2 |
10 |
Spanish |
|
|
|
Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications |
1 & 2 |
20 |
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. In Semester 2, candidates will undertake assessed work equivalent to 50 credits, as required by the School of Social Sciences, along with a Distance Learning Research Design module. Candidates who opt for this route must ensure that they have selected a total of 60 credits in Semester 1, including 20 credits in Politics and 20 credits in International Relations.
(i) COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 70 credits)
Code |
Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
EUB605 |
Theories and Methods in Political Research |
1 |
10 |
EUB001 |
International Semester |
2 |
50 |
EUB801 |
Research Design (Distance Learning) |
2 |
10 |
(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 40 or 50 credits)
In addition to the compulsory module EUB605, candidates must choose a minimum modular weight of 20 credits each from Groups 1 and 2. Modules in Group 3 count as either subject. Candidates should note that combinations of modules of the same titles but with different credit weightings are mutually exclusive.
Group 1 - Politics
Code |
Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
EUB628 |
History of Political Thought (20 Credits) |
1 |
20 |
EUB629 |
History of Political Thought (10 Credits) |
1 |
10 |
EUB630 |
British Politics |
1 |
20 |
Group 2 – International Relations
Code |
Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
EUB619 |
Security Studies |
1 |
20 |
EUB802 |
Small Wars |
1 |
20 |
Group 3 – Politics and International Relations
Code |
Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
EUB601 |
The European Union (20 Credits) |
1 |
20 |
EUB625 |
The European Union (10 Credits) |
1 |
10 |
(iii) ELECTIVE MODULES (maximum modular weight 10)
Candidates may take 10 credits of electives from the following subjects. Choices of elective subject modules will be subject to satisfying any prerequisites set out in individual module specifications.
Code |
Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
Business |
|
|
|
BSB530 |
Accounting for Business |
1 |
10 |
BSB555 |
Organisation Studies |
1 |
10 |
BSB580 |
Operations Management |
1 |
10 |
French |
|
|
|
One 10 credit module from Semester 1 from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications |
1 |
10 |
|
German |
|
|
|
One 10 credit module from Semester 1 from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications |
1 |
10 |
|
Geography |
|
|
|
GYB211 |
Globalization |
1 |
10 |
GYB222 |
Geographies of Social Difference |
1 |
10 |
Mandarin Chinese |
|
|
|
One 10 credit module from Semester 1 from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications |
1 |
10 |
|
Social Sciences |
|
|
|
SSB025 |
Religion and Society |
1 |
10 |
SSB216 |
Women and Crime: Victims, Offenders and Survivors |
1 |
10 |
SSB360 |
The Media in Global Context |
1 |
10 |
Spanish |
|
|
|
One 10 credit module from Semester 1 from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications |
1 |
10 |
(3) 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.
(4) Part C – Degree Modules
(i) COMPULSORY MODULE (total modular weight 40 Credits)
Code |
Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
EUC800 |
Dissertation |
1 & 2 |
40 |
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 the Dissertation module must be split equally (20:20) across both semesters.
(ii) OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 60 or 80 Credits)
In addition to the compulsory module EUC800, candidates must choose a minimum modular weight of 60 from Group 1 modules over Semesters 1 and 2. The remaining 20 credits may be chosen from Groups 1 or 2. Choices of subject modules from Group 2 will be subject to satisfying any prerequisites set out in individual module specifications.
Group 1
Code |
Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
EUC604 |
State, Violence and Terrorism |
1 |
20 |
EUC628 |
The Asia Pacific in Global Politics |
1 |
20 |
EUC660 |
Contemporary Political Philosophy |
1 |
20 |
EUC679 |
1968 - World Revolution? |
1 |
20 |
EUC680 |
The Populist Challenge to Western Democracies |
1 |
20 |
EUC682 |
International Politics of the Middle East |
1 |
20 |
EUC716 |
Empire, War and Popular Culture in Britain c. 1880-1930 |
1 |
20 |
EUC665 |
Postwar Britain: The Start of the Decline |
2 |
20 |
EUC666 |
Gender and Politics |
2 |
20 |
EUC677 |
Britain and the European Union |
2 |
20 |
EUC684 |
War in the 21st Century |
2 |
20 |
EUC685 |
Power, Politics and Participation in the Digital Age |
2 |
20 |
EUC686 |
International Conflict Management |
2 |
20 |
EUC687 |
The Politics of Militarism |
2 |
20 |
EUC720 |
After Empire: South Asia since 1945 |
2 |
20 |
Group 2
Code |
Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
Business |
|
|
|
BSC520 |
Business Systems |
1 |
10 |
BSC522 |
Entrepreneurship and Innovation |
1 |
10 |
BSC524 |
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Planning |
2 |
10 |
BSC575 |
Leadership and Interpersonal Skills |
2 |
10 |
Economics |
|
|
|
ECC012 |
Introduction to Financial Economics |
1 & 2 |
20 |
ECC013 |
International Economic Relations |
1 & 2 |
20 |
ECC014 |
Economics of the Financial System |
1 & 2 |
20 |
ECC017 |
The Economics of Social Issues |
2 |
20 |
English |
|
|
|
EAC002 |
The Return of the King, Literature 1660-1714 |
1 |
20 |
EAC016 |
Cruel ad Unusual |
1 |
20 |
EAC440 |
The Modern Poet |
1 |
20 |
EAC001 |
Radicals and Reactionaries: Writing Women in the 1890s |
2 |
20 |
EAC701 |
Global America |
2 |
20 |
French |
|
|
|
Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. |
1 & 2 |
20 |
|
Geography |
|
|
|
GYC212 |
Globalised Urbanisation |
1 |
20 |
GYC309 |
Feminist Geographies of Home |
1 |
10 |
GYC107 |
Regional Worlds |
2 |
20 |
GYC214 |
Geographies of Children and Youth |
2 |
10 |
German |
|
|
|
Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. |
1 & 2 |
20 |
|
History |
|
|
|
EUC703 |
Revolution in the Head: The Beatles and Sixties Britain |
1 |
20 |
EUC713 |
Jim Crow, Bootleggers and Okies: American Cultural History 1890-1930 |
1 |
20 |
EUC705 |
From Weimar to Hitler: Politics, Economics and Society in Germany, 1918-1934 |
2 |
20 |
EUC720 |
After Empire: South Asia since 1945 |
2 |
20 |
EUC719 |
Convicts and Kangaroos: Australia 1788-1868 |
2 |
20 |
Mandarin Chinese |
|
|
|
Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. |
1 & 2 |
20 |
|
Social Sciences |
|
|
|
SSC024 |
Gender, Sex and Society |
1 |
20 |
SSC130 |
The Social Psychology of Everyday Life |
1 |
20 |
SSC238 |
Youth Justice |
1 |
20 |
SSC316 |
Media, Memory and History |
1 |
20 |
SSC237 |
Sex Work and Sex Industries |
2 |
20 |
Spanish |
|
|
|
Two x 10 credit modules, one from each Semester from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. |
1 & 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 programme percentage mark.