Critical Skills for Politics and International Relations
| Module title | Critical Skills for Politics and International Relations |
|---|---|
| Module code | POL1000 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Jack Tagney (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 200 |
|---|
Module description
This module provides you with an introduction to the study of politics and international relations with a focus on skills to support effective learning, critical thinking, and academic success. It enables you to develop skills crucial to a range of cross-cutting areas of academic practice (as well as professional life beyond university), including: finding and critically engaging with appropriate sources; effective reading and note-taking; academic integrity; analysis and argumentation; interpretation of information and appropriate use of evidence; planning and structuring academic writing; effective communication (written and spoken); teamwork; and time management. You will apply your skill-development in these areas through exploration of a range of contemporary socio-political issues, from conspiracy theories to ideological polarisation to international diplomacy.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to introduce you to the study of politics and international relations and provide foundations in a range of skills crucial for academic success across the related disciplines and approaches. It aims to provide consistent delivery of guidance around important matters of academic practice and lay the groundwork for further development of academic and personal skills throughout the your degree programme, as well as professional life beyond university.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate understanding of academic integrity and conventions and practices essential to good academic conduct;
- 2. Demonstrate ability to think critically and independently, to construct coherent argumentation and to assess logical validity;
- 3. Demonstrate ability to critically engage with sources and information and to identify appropriate evidence;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Demonstrate effective application of key study and analysis skills to political issues and debates;
- 5. Demonstrate understanding of a range of approaches and disciplines relevant to study of the political world;
- 6. Demonstrate ability to communicate clearly and effectively about complex political issues;
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Demonstrate ability to work independently and collaboratively;
- 8. Demonstrate skills in effective written and spoken communication;
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
Basics of various disciplines and approaches to the study of politics and international relations;
Finding and critically engaging with appropriate sources;
Effective reading and note-taking;
Academic integrity;
Analysis and argumentation;
Interpretation of information and appropriate use of evidence;
Planning and structuring academic writing;
Effective communication (written and spoken);
Teamwork;
Time management.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22.5 | 127.5 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 16.5 | 11 x 1.5 hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 6 | 6 x1 hour tutorials |
| Guided Independent Study | 67.5 | Preparation for tutorials & further study |
| Guided Independent Study | 10 | Preparation of Group Presentation |
| Guided Independent Study | 30 | Preparation for Quizzes |
| Guided Independent Study | 20 | Completion of Critical Commentary |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group presentation | 7-10 minutes | 4,6,7,8 | Verbal or Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz 1 | 30 | Approx 1 hour | 1-3, 5, 7 | Written |
| Quiz 2 | 30 | Approx 1 hour | 1-3, 5, 7 | Written |
| Critical Commentary | 40 | 1500 words | 1-8 | Written |
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz 1 | Quiz (1 hour) | 1-3, 5, 7 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Quiz 2 | Quiz (1 hour) | 1-3, 5, 7 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Critical Commentary | Critical Commentary (1500 words) | 1-8 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Ref/Def Quizzes will be different versions of the term-time Quizzes (i.e. with questions on the same content, but differently constructed).
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Cottrell, Stella. 2017. Critical Thinking Skills: Effective Analysis, Argument and Reflection – Macmillan Study Skills. Macmillan Education UK.
- Cottrell, Stella. 2019. The Study Skills Handbook – Macmillan Study Skills. Macmillan Education UK.
- Hopkins, Diana. and Reid, Tom. 2018. The Academic Skills Handbook: Your Guide to Success in Writing, Thinking and Communicating at University. SAGE Publications.
- Hughes, Gareth. 2020. Be Well, Learn Well: Improve Your Wellbeing and Academic Performance. Macmillan Study Skills. Macmillan Education UK.
- Moore et al (2010) The Ultimate Study Skills handbook (Open University Press)
- Wisker, G. (2009) The Undergraduate Research Handbook. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Moses, J and Knutsen, T. (2019) Competing Methodologies in Social and Political Research. 3rd
Edition (Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke - Pierce, R. (2008), Research Methods in Politics: a Practical Guide (Sage).
- Marsh, D and Stoker G (eds) (2017) Theory and Methods in Political Science., 4th Edition.
(Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke). - Matthews, B and Ross, L. (2010) Research Methods: A Practical Guide for the Social Sciences
(Pearson) - Bryman, A. (2016) Social Research Methods, 5th Edition (Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke)
- Burnham, P et al (2008) Research Methods in Politics, 2nd Edition (Palgrave Macmillan:
Basingstoke) - Grix, J. (2010) The Foundations of Research. Second Edition (Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke)
- Halperin, S and Heath, 0. (2016) Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills, 2nd edition (Oxford
University Press).
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 14/02/2023 |
| Last revision date | 25/03/2024 |
