Programme Specification for the 2024/5 academic year

BA (Hons) Politics and Sociology

1. Programme Details

Programme name	BA (Hons) Politics and Sociology	Programme code	UFA3HPSHPS03
Study mode(s)	Full Time	Academic year	2024/5
Campus(es)	Streatham (Exeter)	NQF Level of the Final Award	6 (Honours)

2. Description of the Programme

This programme enables you to study the social organisation, economy and cosmology of a range of societies together with their political ideas, institutions and practices.

Your work is divided evenly between the two subjects, with the politics and international relations modules appropriate to the combined degree. The programmes are designed so that there are no differences in the workload in comparison to the Single Honours degrees. In the final year, you’ll take a dissertation in either sociology or politics, depending on your own area of interest.

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

1. To produce graduates from the programme that are useful, productive and questioning members of society
2. To produce graduates who are grounded in the main themes of Politics through a combination of modules which develop a deep understanding of some pervasive and problematic features of the discipline
3. To produce graduates who are grounded in the main themes of Sociology through a combination of modules which develop a deep understanding of how societies, institutions and practices of all kinds came into being, how they are currently organised, and how they might change in the future
4. To develop your competence in the specific skills required in Sociology and in Politics, and in core academic and personal and key skills
5. To offer a wide range of choice within the programme of study, insofar as this choice is consistent with the coherence and intellectual rigour of the degree

4. Programme Structure

The programme is divided into units of study called modules which are assigned a number of 'credits'. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.

Thiscombined honours programme is studied over three years and is university-based throughout that time. It is comprised of three stages, of 120 credits per stage, each of which normally occupies an academic year so that it requires three years to accumulate the 360 credits required for a final award. Part-time study over a longer period is possible.

Modules are not all available every year; options are offered each year at the discretion of Departments. A module may be taken only if the necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, if the timetable allows, and if the module or an equivalent module has not been taken previously.

Assessment at Stage 1 does not contribute towards the overall mark for the degree programme, although an overall pass is necessary for progression to Stage 2.

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.

Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the following website:

https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=politics

https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=sociology

The BA Politics and Sociology 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. The degree programme contains compulsory and optional modules and as part of the degree programme students may take up to 30 credits a year outside their main degree subjects. Given the demands of this joint honours programme, students will not be able to choose 30 credits outside their programme at Stage 1. However, they will be able to do so at both Stages 2 and 3. You must graduate with a minimum of 150 credits from each side of your programme (meaning that you may take a maximum of 60 elective modules in total). Please note that modules offered are subject to change, depending on staff availability, timetabling, and demand.

Stage 1

90 credits of compulsory modules and 30 credits of options.

You will do 60 credits of compulsory modules in sociology, choose 30 credits of politics modules from a list of 4 compulsory modules and choose 30 credits of politics optional modules.

Compulsory Modules

a - please pick 2 of these 4 POL modules

Code	Module	Credits	Non-condonable?
SOC1000	Contemporary Society: Themes, Perspectives and Case Studies	30	No
SPA1000	Imagining Social Worlds	30	No
POL1047	Global Sustainability Governance and Policy [See note a above]	15	No
POL1029	Introduction to Comparative Politics [See note a above]	15	No
POL1025	Classical Political Thought [See note a above]	15	No
POL1019	Power and Democracy [See note a above]	15	No

Optional Modules

Politics (30 optional credits)

View option modules here

Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability

Stage 2

60 credits of core modules and 60 credits of optional modules.

You will do 30 credits compulsory modules from Level 2 of the Sociology Programme

AND

30 credits of compulsory modules from the Level 2 Politics Programme

Compulsory Modules

b - please pick 2 of these 3 POL modules

Code	Module	Credits	Non-condonable?
SPA2000	Knowing the Social World	30	No
POL2046	The Economics of Politics [see note b above]	15	No
POL2059	Political Thought of Modernity [see note b above]	15	No
POL2102	Explaining Public Policies [see note b above]	15	No

Optional Modules

Students to choose 30 credits of modules from Level 2 of the Sociology Programme

View option modules here.

AND

Students to choose 30 credits of modules from the Level 2 Politics Programme

View option modules here.

Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability

Stage 3

120 credits of optional modules.

Optional Modules

Students to choose 60 credits from Level 3 of the Sociology Programme

View option modules here.

AND

Students to choose 60 credits from the Level 3 Politics programme

View option modules here.

Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability

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. Understand the nature and significance of politics as a human activity 2. Apply concepts and theories used in the study of politics to the analysis of political ideas, institutions and practices 3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of different political system operating at the national, European and international level 4. Evaluate different interpretations of political issues and events 5. Show at least a basic knowledge of EITHER international relations theory OR political theory OR theories of comparative government, according to the elective modules taken at stage 1 6. Achieve level of knowledge and competence commensurate with national Politics benchmarks 7. Demonstrate an analytical understanding of Sociology, taking into account different sociological perspectives, modes of social analysis and their concomitant theoretical and conceptual frameworks 8. Show awareness of the social, political, historical, and economic origins of Sociology 9. Show knowledge of a variety of methods of social investigation, including ethnographic and survey methods, questionnaire and interview design 10. Ability to conceptualise social, psychological and personal issues in a specifically sociological manner 11. Demonstrate knowledge of the social organisation, economy and cosmology of a range of societies 12. Show knowledge of some of the main challenges in obtaining and conveying information about a range of societies 13. Demonstrate understanding (at increasing depth, according to level) of issues (increasingly complex, according to level) arising from the subject matter of the elective modules taken	1 and 4 are developed across all programme stages, moving from broad areas of politics in stage 1 to progressively more specialised aspects at stages 2 to 3. 2 and 3 are present in some form in all Politics modules. Development of 2 is ensured through the requirement that students 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. 5 is developed initially at Stage 1 according to which elective modules are taken, and at least one will be developed further thereafter according to the elective modules taken. 6 all modules contribute. 7 is developed on all sociology modules, and is a core aim of the whole programme. 8-10 are developed initially through lectures, seminars and essay work for SPA1000, and SSOC1001 and are developed on subsequent modules; 9 is developed through practical and teamwork on SPA2000. 11-12 are developed through similar methods on SPA1000 and SOC1000, and further developed on subsequent modules. 13 is developed through the optional modules taken. The level of competence expected of students intensifies at each stage of the programme.	The assessment of these skills is through a combination of term-time essays 1-13, oral presentations1-13, and examinations 1-13 (and, where applicable, Research Methods Project, Sociology or Politics Dissertation work 1-13). The criteria of assessment pay full recognition to the importance of the various skills outlined.

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. Understand the nature and significance of politics as a human activity
2. Apply concepts and theories used in the study of politics to the analysis of political ideas, institutions and practices
3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of different political system operating at the national, European and international level
4. Evaluate different interpretations of political issues and events
5. Show at least a basic knowledge of EITHER international relations theory OR political theory OR theories of comparative government, according to the elective modules taken at stage 1
6. Achieve level of knowledge and competence commensurate with national Politics benchmarks
7. Demonstrate an analytical understanding of Sociology, taking into account different sociological perspectives, modes of social analysis and their concomitant theoretical and conceptual frameworks
8. Show awareness of the social, political, historical, and economic origins of Sociology
9. Show knowledge of a variety of methods of social investigation, including ethnographic and survey methods, questionnaire and interview design
10. Ability to conceptualise social, psychological and personal issues in a specifically sociological manner
11. Demonstrate knowledge of the social organisation, economy and cosmology of a range of societies
12. Show knowledge of some of the main challenges in obtaining and conveying information about a range of societies
13. Demonstrate understanding (at increasing depth, according to level) of issues (increasingly complex, according to level) arising from the subject matter of the elective modules taken

1 and 4 are developed across all programme stages, moving from broad areas of politics in stage 1 to progressively more specialised aspects at stages 2 to 3.

2 and 3 are present in some form in all Politics modules. Development of 2 is ensured through the requirement that students 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.

5 is developed initially at Stage 1 according to which elective modules are taken, and at least one will be developed further thereafter according to the elective modules taken.

6 all modules contribute.

7 is developed on all sociology modules, and is a core aim of the whole programme.

8-10 are developed initially through lectures, seminars and essay work for SPA1000, and SSOC1001 and are developed on subsequent modules; 9 is developed through practical and teamwork on SPA2000.

11-12 are developed through similar methods on SPA1000 and SOC1000, and further developed on subsequent modules.

13 is developed through the optional modules taken. The level of competence expected of students intensifies at each stage of the programme.

The assessment of these skills is through a combination of term-time essays 1-13, oral presentations1-13, and examinations 1-13 (and, where applicable, Research Methods Project, Sociology or Politics Dissertation work 1-13). The criteria of assessment pay full recognition to the importance of the various skills outlined.

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:
14. Draw thematic comparisons between material from different sources 15. Show awareness of contrasting approaches to research 16. Understand and demonstrate the different uses of qualitative and quantitative data, and evaluate their relative advantages and disadvantages 17. Show awareness of the basic philosophical questions arising from academic research 18. Think and write broadly about large themes 19. Use library and the world-wide web to find appropriate and relevant information 20. Develop and deploy argument, grounded in theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence 21. Identify problems of reliability and bias in, and more generally evaluate, empirical evidence 22. Collate data from a range of sources 23. Produce accurate reference to sources in written work 24. Answer questions concisely and persuasively in written work 25. Present work and answer questions orally. 26. Deploy complex terminology in a comprehensible manner 27. Focus on and comprehend complex texts	These skills are developed throughout the degree programme, but the emphasis becomes more complex as students move from stage to stage. They are developed through lectures and seminars 14-27, written work 14-27, and oral work 14-27 (both presentation and class discussion).	These skills are assessed through term-time essays 14-27, assessed presentations 14-27, and examinations 14-27.

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:

14. Draw thematic comparisons between material from different sources
15. Show awareness of contrasting approaches to research
16. Understand and demonstrate the different uses of qualitative and quantitative data, and evaluate their relative advantages and disadvantages
17. Show awareness of the basic philosophical questions arising from academic research
18. Think and write broadly about large themes
19. Use library and the world-wide web to find appropriate and relevant information
20. Develop and deploy argument, grounded in theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence
21. Identify problems of reliability and bias in, and more generally evaluate, empirical evidence
22. Collate data from a range of sources
23. Produce accurate reference to sources in written work
24. Answer questions concisely and persuasively in written work
25. Present work and answer questions orally.
26. Deploy complex terminology in a comprehensible manner
27. Focus on and comprehend complex texts

These skills are developed throughout the degree programme, but the emphasis becomes more complex as students move from stage to stage.

They are developed through lectures and seminars 14-27, written work 14-27, and oral work 14-27 (both presentation and class discussion).

These skills are assessed through term-time essays 14-27, assessed presentations 14-27, and examinations 14-27.

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:
28. Undertake independent study and ability to work to deadlines 29. Word process and access the world-wide web 30. Digest, select and organise material for written work and oral presentations, and write to varying word lengths 31. Participate in oral discussions; present and evaluate complex arguments and ideas orally; digest, select and organise material for oral presentations 32. Work with others as part of a team on challenging material 33. Interact effectively with peers and staff 34. Undertake group work, including the presentation and discussion of material in groups 35. Plan the execution of demanding work over a very long time scale	28 is an essential part of the successful completion of the programme. 29 is developed through the requirement that all written work be word-processed, and through the requirement on students to use the internet to access texts and other teaching materials. 30 is developed through essay and presentation work throughout the programme. 31 is developed through seminars, which form part of all modules. The skills in 31-34 are developed to some extent in all modules, through interaction in seminars and in discussion with tutors about essay work, and in response to criticism both collective and individual. 35 is developed through the Politics or Sociology Dissertation at stage 3, which has a single end of year deadline.	The skills in 28, 29 and 30 are assessed in all modules. 30 is covered by the fact that students write essays, which are formatively and summatively assessed, of differing lengths and in the Dissertation. 31-34 are a continuous part of formative assessment on all modules. 35 is covered by the Dissertation (in either subject).

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:

28. Undertake independent study and ability to work to deadlines
29. Word process and access the world-wide web
30. Digest, select and organise material for written work and oral presentations, and write to varying word lengths
31. Participate in oral discussions; present and evaluate complex arguments and ideas orally; digest, select and organise material for oral presentations
32. Work with others as part of a team on challenging material
33. Interact effectively with peers and staff
34. Undertake group work, including the presentation and discussion of material in groups
35. Plan the execution of demanding work over a very long time scale

28 is an essential part of the successful completion of the programme.

29 is developed through the requirement that all written work be word-processed, and through the requirement on students to use the internet to access texts and other teaching materials.

30 is developed through essay and presentation work throughout the programme.

31 is developed through seminars, which form part of all modules.

The skills in 31-34 are developed to some extent in all modules, through interaction in seminars and in discussion with tutors about essay work, and in response to criticism both collective and individual.

35 is developed through the Politics or Sociology Dissertation at stage 3, which has a single end of year deadline.

The skills in 28, 29 and 30 are assessed in all modules.

30 is covered by the fact that students write essays, which are formatively and summatively assessed, of differing lengths and in the Dissertation.

31-34 are a continuous part of formative assessment on all modules.

35 is covered by the Dissertation (in either subject).

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

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 utilize 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 digitize 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, based in the Law Library 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.

At St Luke’s there is also a college-based open access suite (South Cloisters 14) providing access to another 20 machines. Entry is again made by use of your university card and it is open from 8.30am to 7pm Monday to Friday.

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

10. Admissions Criteria

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

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

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

18. Final Award

BA (Hons) Politics and Sociology

19. UCAS Code

LLH2

20. NQF Level of Final Award

6 (Honours)

21. Credit

CATS credits	360	ECTS credits	180

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

[Honours] Politics and international relations
[Honours] Sociology

23. Dates

Origin Date	02/10/2000	Date of last revision	14/06/2012

Programme Specification for the 2024/5 academic year

BA (Hons) Politics and Sociology

1. Programme Details

2. Description of the Programme

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

4. Programme Structure

5. Programme Modules

Stage 1

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules

Stage 2

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules

Stage 3

Optional Modules

6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge

7. Programme Regulations

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning

10. Admissions Criteria

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

12. Indicators of Quality and Standards

13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards

14. Awarding Institution

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

16. Partner College / Institution

Partner College(s)

Partner Institution

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

18. Final Award

19. UCAS Code

20. NQF Level of Final Award

21. Credit

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

23. Dates

Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge