Programme Specification for the 2019/0 academic year
BSc (Hons) Politics and International Relations with Study Abroad
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | BSc (Hons) Politics and International Relations with Study Abroad | Programme code | UFS4HPSHPS04 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time |
Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 6 (Honours) |
2. Description of the Programme
This exciting and distinctive programme includes study of the major areas of politics and international relations, as well as optional modules which closely reflect the research interests and expertise of staff.
BSc Politics and International Relations offers the chance to combine political studies with training in the methods and techniques of political research. Students will study how government is constituted and how politics takes place on a global scale. They will explore the foundations of the study of politics in terms of its objects of analysis, the nature of political knowledge and the design of political research. Students will examine the various forms of politics through history and in thought. They will interrogate the questions of the political including the various forms of government, the nature of public policy and administration, of war and peace, and of resource scarcity and distribution. They will address these questions via traditional lectures and tutorials as well as innovative group work, simulations and technical training. Students will take modules of study that introduce to them to these big questions under the guidance of leading scholars in their fields. From their second year they will undertake introductory modules in research design and quantitative methods. By their second and third years they will focus on the specific manifestations of these questions by taking optional modules on the global governance, forms of democracy, party politics, electoral political, political parties, security, development and conflict. In their third year students will undertake a compulsory research project. This is a work of guided research – as an individual or in a group – which draws on their training in research design and methods as well as their increased understanding of the important debates of politics. This programme offers the option of progressing to a fourth year of study in order to attain a Masters of Politics and International Relations. You will spend the 3rd year of your studies in a partner University on an Erasmus/Socrates exchange or other approved programme of study.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
BSc Politics and International Relations offers the chance to combine political studies with training in the methods and techniques of political research. Students will study how government is constituted and how politics takes place on a global scale. They will explore the foundations of the study of politics in terms of its objects of analysis, the nature of political knowledge and the design of political research. Students will examine the various forms of politics through history and in thought. They will interrogate the questions of the political including the various forms of government, the nature of public policy and administration, of war and peace, and of resource scarcity and distribution. They will address these questions via traditional lectures and tutorials as well as innovative group work, simulations and technical training. Students will take modules of study that introduce to them to these big questions under the guidance of leading scholars in their fields. From their second year they will undertake introductory modules in research design and quantitative methods. By their second and third years they will focus on the specific manifestations of these questions by taking optional modules on the global governance, forms of democracy, party politics, electoral political, political parties, security, development and conflict. In their third year students will undertake a compulsory research project. This is a work of guided research – as an individual or in a group – which draws on their training in research design and methods as well as their increased understanding of the important debates of politics. This programme offers the option of progressing to a fourth year of study in order to attain a Masters of Politics and International Relations.
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
The BSc Politics and International Relations with study abroad degree programme is made up of compulsory (core) and optional modules, which are worth 15 or 30 credits each. Full-time undergraduate students need to complete modules worth a total of 120 credits each year.
Depending on your programme you can also take up to 30 credits each year in another subject, for instance a language or business module, to develop career-related skills or just widen your intellectual horizons.
Please note that modules offered are subject to change, depending on staff availability, timetabling, and demand.
Stage 1
Core modules provide a foundation in political science and international relations. You’ll learn about key moments in the historical development of the international political system and learn about some of the most pressing issues in world politics. You’ll gain an understanding of the key concepts and theories used within the discipline and be able to choose from a wide variety of optional modules
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| POL1019 | Power and Democracy | 15 | No |
| POL1041 | Data Analysis in Social Science | 15 | No |
| POL1042 | Rational Choice and Environmental Problems | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
In addition, students take a minimum of 45 and a maximum of 75 credits from Level 1 of the Politics and International Relations programme. For details of the full range of options see the following link: http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/politics/undergraduate/modules/
Students are free to choose a maximum of 30 further credits outside their main degree subject.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| POL S1 BA Politics SH opt 2019-0 | |||
| POL1001B | State of Britain | 15 | No |
| POL1006 | State and Society | 15 | No |
| POL1017 | Globalisation of World Politics | 15 | No |
| POL1018 | The Challenges of World Politics in the Twenty-First Century | 15 | No |
| POL1019 | Power and Democracy | 15 | No |
| POL1020 | Politics in Europe | 15 | No |
| POL1025 | Classical Political Thought | 15 | No |
| POL1026 | Early Modern Political Thought | 15 | No |
| POL1028 | Introduction to Strategic Studies | 15 | No |
| POL1023 | Politics and Economy of the Contemporary Middle East | 15 | No |
| SSI1005 | Introduction to Social Data | 15 | No |
| SSI1006 | Data Analysis in Social Science 1 | 15 | No |
Stage 2
You’ll undertake introductory modules in research design and quantitative methods. You’ll be able to focus on the specific manifestations of these questions by taking optional modules on topics such as global governance, forms of democracy, party politics, electoral politics, political parties, security, development and conflict.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| POL2077 | Data Analysis in Social Science II | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
Students must take a further 15 credits from the following directed options (directed options may vary from year to year subject to availability of teaching staff):
SS12002 Data Analysis in the Work Place (15 credits)
Students to take a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 60 credits from modules at Level 2 of the Politics and International Relations programme. For details of options see the following link: http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/politics/undergraduate/modules/
Students are free to choose a maximum of 30 further credits outside their main degree subject.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| POL2046 | The Economics of Politics | 15 | No |
| SSI2002 | Data Analysis in the Workplace | 15 | No |
| POL S2 BA Politics SH opt 2019-0 | |||
| POL2020 | Contemporary Theories of World Politics | 15 | No |
| POL2047 | American Politics | 15 | No |
| POL2052 | Foreign Policy: Leadership, Power and Responsibility | 15 | No |
| POL2075 | Integration and Disintegration in the European Union | 15 | No |
| POL2079 | Contemporary Public Debate in an Age of 'Anti-Politics' | 15 | No |
| POL2097 | Behavioural Public Policy and the Nudge Agenda | 15 | No |
| POL2098 | What is Law? Jurisprudence from Stone Tablet to Brain Imaging | 15 | No |
| POL2099 | The Politics of Social Justice | 15 | No |
| POL2102 | Explaining Public Policies | 15 | No |
| POL2103 | The Logic of Democracies and Dictatorships | 15 | No |
| POL2104 | Party Politics and Democracy | 15 | No |
| POL2106 | America in the World | 15 | No |
| POL2107 | Gender and Comparative Public Policy | 15 | No |
| POL2025 | Health Policy in Comparative Perspective | 15 | No |
| POL2026 | Political Analysis: Behaviour, Institutions, Ideas | 15 | No |
| POL2027 | The Politics of the World Economy | 15 | No |
| POL2050 | Political Philosophy | 15 | No |
| POL2051 | War and Peace in the Middle East | 15 | No |
| POL2057 | Security Studies | 15 | No |
| POL2081 | Thinking about Race: Perspectives from the Biological and Social Sciences | 15 | No |
| POL2082 | Changing Character of Warfare | 15 | No |
| POL2086 | Strategy and Psychology in Foreign Policy | 15 | No |
| POL2100 | Political Conflicts in Europe | 15 | No |
| POL2105 | Total War, Total Peace | 15 | No |
| POL2108 | The Legal Regulation of Civil Society | 15 | No |
| SSI2005 | Data Analysis in Social Science 2 | 15 | No |
| SSI2006 | Immigration in Western Societies | 15 | No |
| SSI2007 | Data Analysis in Social Science 3 | 15 | No |
Stage 3
Students will spend the 3rd year of their studies in a partner University on an Erasmus/Socrates exchange or other approved programme of study. The year abroad comprises 120 credits and assessment is based on the credits gained at the partner institution abroad.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSI3999 | Year Abroad | 120 | No |
Stage 4
In the fourth year you will undertake a compulsory research project. This will entail guided research – as an individual or in a group – drawing on your training in research design and methods as well as your increased understanding of the important debates within politics. You’ll also be able to tailor your degree to your own interests by choosing from a long list of optional modules.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| POL3040 | Dissertation | 30 | No |
Optional Modules
Directed Options
Students much take at least 60 credits from the following directed options (directed options may vary from year to year subject to availability of teaching staff):
POL3180 Latin American Parties, Politics and Elections (30 credits)
POL3077 Global Environmental Politics and Policy (30 credits)
POL3136 Political Psychology (30 credits)
Students then select a maximum of 30 credits from Level 3 of the Politics and International Relations programme. For details of the full range of options see the following link: http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/politics/undergraduate/modules/
Students are free to choose a maximum of 30 further credits outside their main degree subject.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| POL3077 | Global Environmental Politics and Policy | 30 | No |
| POL3136 | Political Psychology | 30 | No |
| POL3180 | Latin American Parties, Politics and Elections | 30 | No |
| SOC3094 | Data Analysis in Social Science III | 15 | No |
| POL SF BA Politics SH opt 2019-0 | |||
| POL3000 | Deadly Words: The Language of Political Violence | 15 | No |
| POL3051 | The Media in Europe | 30 | No |
| POL3069 | Globalisation and the Politics of Resistance | 30 | No |
| POL3074 | The Politics of Climate Change | 30 | No |
| POL3076 | Research Design for Dissertation | 30 | No |
| POL3077 | Global Environmental Politics and Policy | 30 | No |
| POL3080 | The International Politics of Religion | 30 | No |
| POL3088 | Forced Migration, Refugees and International Relations | 30 | No |
| POL3089 | Policy in Action | 30 | No |
| POL3120 | War and Public Opinion | 30 | No |
| POL3132 | Globalisation and Democratic Politics: the End of the Nation State? | 30 | No |
| POL3136 | Political Psychology | 30 | No |
| POL3172 | Political Participation | 15 | No |
| POL3174 | International Security and US Foreign Policy | 30 | No |
| POL3180 | Latin American Parties, Politics and Elections | 30 | No |
| POL3196 | Democracy in the European Union | 30 | No |
| POL3198 | Revolution and Modern Political Thought | 30 | No |
| POL3204 | Politics through the Life Course | 30 | No |
| POL3206 | The Political Economy of the State | 30 | No |
| POL3207 | Realism and International Security | 15 | No |
| POL3208 | Maritime Power and Security in Global Politics | 15 | No |
| POL3217 | Feminist Political Theory | 30 | No |
| POL3226 | Money, Lobbying, and Policymaking | 30 | No |
| POL3227 | Politics, Elections, and the State in Africa | 30 | No |
| POL3228 | From the Shadows into the Light: Political Advisers and Policy Making | 30 | No |
| POL3229 | Disrupting Western and Neo-Liberal Hegemony: Insurgency and Counterinsurgency Post-WWII | 30 | No |
| POL3230 | Trumping the Mainstream: Populism and Democratic Politics | 30 | No |
| POL3233 | Military Revolutions and Political Change | 15 | No |
| POL3234 | Religion, Politics and Policy in Europe | 30 | No |
| POL3237 | The Rise and Decline of New Political Parties | 15 | No |
| POL3040 | Dissertation | 30 | No |
| SSI3003 | Data Analysis in Social Science 3 | 15 | No |
| SSI3001 | Introduction to Social Network Analysis | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Employ quantitative analysis of political data | 1 and 4 are developed across all programme stages moving from broad areas of politics in stage 1 to progressively core specialised aspects at stages 3 and 4.
2 and 3 are present in some form in all Politics modules. Development of 2 is ensured through the requirement of the students to take two theory modules in stage 1 and at least one theory module in stages 1 and 2.
3 is also ensured through directed module choice embedded in programme pathways at stages 1 and 2. | These skills are summatively assessed through a combination of term-time essays, presentations and examinations. The combination of and length of essays, presentations and exams will vary from one module to the next according to credit value in conformity with College Assessment Norms. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
5. Gather, organise and deploy evidence and information from a variety of primary and secondary sources. | These skills are developed throughout the degree programme with progression in stages 1 and 2 as students move from stage to stage.
7 is developed through self assessment of assignments, staff feedback on formative assignments and student self appraisal. | 5 and 6 are assessed through term-time essays, oral presentations and examinations. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
8. Communicate effectively and fluently in speech and writing; | 8 is developed through presentations, class discussions and written assignments.
9 and 10 are developed through presentations and written assignments. | 8 and 10 are assessed through presentations, written assignments, and examinations.
9 is assessed through written assignments that require ICT for the retrieval and presentation of information. |
7. Programme Regulations
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students’ learning.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
(http://as.exeter.ac.uk/support/admin/staff/qualityassuranceandmonitoring/tqamanual/fullcontents/)
12. Indicators of Quality and Standards
The programme is not subject to accreditation and/ or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).
13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards
The University and its constituent Colleges review the quality and standard of teaching and learning in all taught programmes against a range of criteria through the procedures outlined in the Teaching Quality Assurance (TQA) Manual Quality Review Framework.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
BSc (Hons) Politics and International Relations with Study Abroad
19. UCAS Code
L293
20. NQF Level of Final Award
6 (Honours)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 480 |
ECTS credits | 240 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
[Honours] Politics and international relations
23. Dates
| Origin Date | Date of last revision |
|---|