Programme Specification for the 2019/0 academic year
MA Political Thought
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MA Political Thought | Programme code | PTA1HPSHPS67 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time |
Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
This Masters explores recent debates in social and political theory from an interdisciplinary perspective, combining political, philosophical, sociological, economic, and legal approaches. It combines Anglo-American and continental literatures and analytical and institutional approaches.
The structure allows you to specialise in specific areas of political theory through dedicated core modules, whilst retaining choice in half of the coursework. This enables further specialisation in the history of political thought or study in other areas of political theory available at Exeter.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
|
1 |
To provide students with a sophisticated understanding of the key debates and arguments in contemporary Political Thought on a range of issues that have implications for current social, political and institutional arrangements within and across nations. |
|
2 |
To provide students with a critical awareness of key questions and arguments about the relationship between identity, power, meaning and knowledge. |
|
3 |
To provide students with an insight into recent critiques of modern Western societies and their values which form crucial theoretical elements in debates across the social sciences. |
|
4 |
To produce graduates who are highly competent in subject-specific, core academic, and personal and key skills. |
|
5 |
To offer students a wide choice of option modules to enable them to construct a coherent programme of study that matches their interests and needs |
4. Programme Structure
The programme is University-based throughout the period. The programme comprises 180 credits in total: taught modules worth 120 credits in total, and a supervised dissertation worth 60 credits. Teaching takes place over two terms (October to May), followed by completion of the dissertation over the summer (June to September). Each taught module is normally taught through seminars, underpinned by reading and essay assignments. The taught element consists of 3 core modules (for a total of 60 credits), and a choice of recommended options (other 60 credits).
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.
http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/politics/postgraduate/taught/modules/
The programme is studied over 12 months (full time) or 24 months (part time) and is University-based throughout the period. The programme comprises 180 credits in total: taught modules worth 120 credits in total, and a supervised dissertation worth 60 credits. Teaching takes place in Term 2 (January to March), followed by completion of the dissertation over the summer (June to September). Each taught module is normally taught through seminars, underpinned by reading and essay assignments. The taught element consists of 2 core modules (for a total of 60 credits), and a choice of recommended options (other 60 credits).
Please note that the modules offered are subject to change depending on staff availability, timetabling and student demand.
Stage 1
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| POLM803 | Sources in Modernity and Post-Modernity | 30 | No |
| POLM057 | Understanding and Interpretation in Political Thought | 30 | No |
| POLM806 | Problems and Texts in Social and Political Thought | 15 | No |
| POLM877 | Dissertation | 45 | Yes |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Politics PGT modules 2019/20 | |||
| POLM002M | Management and Governance: Comparing Public Administration around the World | 20 | No |
| POLM003M | Policy and Politics: the theory and Strategy of Delivering Public Services | 20 | No |
| POLM004M | Public Sector Finance for Managers | 20 | No |
| POLM005M | The Politics, Policy and Practice of Sustainable Development | 20 | No |
| POLM007M | The New Public Management: Principles, Practice and Prospects | 20 | No |
| POLM008M | Policy Analysis and Evaluation | 20 | No |
| POLM009M | Regulation and Reform: Analysis and Policy | 20 | No |
| POLM057 | Understanding and Interpretation in Political Thought | 30 | No |
| POLM060 | Global Security | 30 | No |
| POLM063 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 15 | No |
| POLM073 | Political Economy of Food and Agriculture | 15 | No |
| POLM082 | International Relations of the Middle East | 30 | No |
| POLM084 | Conflict, Security and Development in World Politics | 30 | No |
| POLM085 | Work Placement in Conflict, Security and Development | 30 | No |
| POLM086 | Quantitative Data Analysis | 30 | No |
| POLM090 | East Asian Regional Order | 30 | No |
| POLM140 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 30 | No |
| POLM651 | State and Society in the Middle East | 30 | No |
| POLM803 | Sources in Modernity and Post-Modernity | 30 | No |
| POLM806 | Problems and Texts in Social and Political Thought | 15 | No |
| POLM809 | Applied Quantitative Data Analysis | 15 | No |
| POLM014M | MPA Applied Studies | 60 | No |
| POLM015M | Behavioural Public Policy and Administration | 20 | No |
| POLM147 | Political Psychology and Rational Choice Approaches to International Relations | 30 | No |
| POLM148 | Brexit: Causes, Interpretation and Implications | 30 | No |
| POLM150 | Text as Data | 15 | No |
| POLM502 | International Relations: Power and Institutions | 30 | No |
| POLM030 | Mathematics and Programming Skills for Policy Analytics | 15 | No |
| POLM095 | The Politics of Democracy in Latin America | 30 | No |
| POLM104 | US Foreign Policy | 30 | No |
| POLM151 | Great Power Relations between the United States and China | 30 | No |
| POLM152 | Post-Conflict Human Rights and Transitional Justice | 30 | No |
| POLM157 | Global Issues in European Politics | 30 | No |
| POLM158 | Digital Politics and Policy | 30 | No |
| POLM160 | Yes Special Adviser. Political Advisers and Policy Making in a Global Perspective | 30 | No |
| POLM161 | Forced Migration in International Relations | 30 | No |
| POLM168 | From Oppression to Resistance: Exploring the Intersections of Race, Class and Gender | 30 | No |
| SSIM912 | Introduction to Social Network Analysis | 15 | No |
| POLM088 | State-building after Civil War | 30 | No |
| Philosophy PGT modules 2019/20 | |||
| PHLM008 | Mind, Body and World | 30 | No |
| PHLM010 | Introduction to Philosophical Methods | 30 | No |
| PHLM006 | Contemporary Ethics | 30 | 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. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key issues in contemporary political philosophy. | All subject specific skills are developed through seminar discussion and assignments in the core modules, and applied in the dissertation | All subject specific skills are assessed through coursework assignments, and in particular through the dissertation. |
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. Synthesize and comment critically on a body of academic writing. | 5 and 6 are developed through seminar work and assignments in all modules.
7 and 8 are developed through written assignments.
9 is developed through the dissertation preparation module and the dissertation. | All core skills are assessed through assessed assignments and the dissertation. |
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: | |
10. Think independently at an advanced level. | 10 and 12 are requirements of all modules, and especially the dissertation preparation module and the dissertation.
| 10 and 12 are assessed in all modules by essay work, and by the dissertation.
|
7. Programme Regulations
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
Personal and Academic tutoring: It is University policy that all Colleges should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.
As an undergraduate or postgraduate taught student in the College of Social Sciences and International Studies you will be allocated a Personal Tutor at the commencement of your studies. In normal circumstances your Personal Tutor will remain your tutor throughout your study programme. Your Personal Tutor is normally available through scheduled office hours, but should also see you as a matter of course three or four times a year (depending on your year of study); these meetings may typically commence soon after registration. These meetings will take place once or twice mid-year to discuss your progress and to perhaps consider Personal Development Planning (ePDP) and once to discuss your overall performance. The ePDP is a particularly useful developmental tool which you are encouraged to utilise and which is accessible though the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE).
You should feel that you are able to approach your personal tutor for advice, pastoral support or academic support in a wider sense.
Library, ELE and other resources provided to support this programme:
The Library offers you core services for learning and research. Whilst the various locations house a large collection of materials and services, many of our resources are available online through this website http://as.exeter.ac.uk/library/ for you to use at home, work or wherever you are located for your study. Each discipline has a subject librarian on hand to help you to find resources and we also work with tutors to digitise reading lists for inclusion in the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE).
Exeter Learning Environment (ELE) is used throughout the University to make course materials available online. You will be able to access module information, presentations, handouts, reading materials as well as interacting with other students and your tutors. Many tutors use ELE to run assessments and set coursework assignments. In addition to the materials provided by your tutors, there are various other resources available on ELE to help you in your studies, for example, you will be able to access your ePDP, the University’s online PDP system, which has been developed to help you keep an ongoing record of your academic, work and extra-curricular experiences, and help you develop action plans and personal statements.
The University provides a range of IT services, including open and training clusters of PCs (available on a 24/7 basis). In the Social Sciences and International Studies College this includes a 24/7 suite in Amory and a second one in the St Luke’s Campus Library. These suites are accessible by swiping your university card. The majority of the College also has access to the university’s wireless network. Network access is available from the majority of rooms in University halls of residence through the ResNet system.
All of these suites have the standard ‘palms’ printing systems in them (printing from credit held on your university card). At the St Luke’s Campus there is also a cash-based printing service at the GSE Print Unit based in South Cloisters.
Please see link below for further information on the IT Services facilities on the Exeter Campuses: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/media/universityofexeter/forum/public/Study_map_A4_2pp_Term3.pdf
Helpdesks are maintained on the Streatham and Cornwall campuses.
Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.
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
College of Social Sciences and International Studies (CSSIS)
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
MA Political Thought
19. UCAS Code
Not applicable to this programme.
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | ECTS credits |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | Date of last revision |
|---|
