Programme Specification for the 2013/4 academic year
BA (Hons) International Relations
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | BA (Hons) International Relations | Programme code | UFA3HPSHPS15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time |
Academic year | 2013/4 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
Programme start date | 01/10/2001 |
| NQF Level | 6 (Honours) |
2. Description of the Programme
This degree will provide you with an excellent education across the range of international relations topics in a supportive and responsive learning environment that is enriched by research. You’ll gain an appreciation of the historical evolution of the international system, as well as engaging with key dilemmas and contestations dominating international politics today. We aim to ensure that you’ll be able to understand and use the main concepts, approaches and theories in the study of international relations and to analyse, interpret and evaluate world political events and issues. You'll gain a solid grounding in understanding international issues together with the opportunity to specialise in a particular region or special subject, such as transnational crime or globalisation.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
To provide an excellent education across the range of international relations, from core to specialist, in a supportive and responsive learning environment that is enriched by research.
To enable students to appreciate the historical evolution and contemporary character of world politics, from both the system and actor perspectives.
To enable students to understand and use the main concepts, approaches and theories in the study of international relations, and to analyse, interpret and evaluate world political events and issues. To develop students' competence in subject-specific, core academic and personal and key skills.
To offer students a wide range of choice, insofar as this choice is consistent with the coherence and intellectual rigour of the degree. To equip graduates to be questioning and productive members of society.
4. Programme Structure
Your BA International Relations programme is a three year programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 6 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is divided into three ‘Stages’. Each Stage is normally equivalent to an academic year. The programme is also 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.
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 College web site
You may take option modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. Descriptions of the individual modules are given in full on the College web site.
http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/politics/undergraduate/modules/
This single honours programme is studied over three years and is university-based throughout that time. It comprises 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 by negotiation with the College.
The programme is divided into units called modules. Each module studied successfully contributes 15 or 30 credits toward the degree. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload and one credit is nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work. The 'level' of a module (designated by the first number in the module code) indicates its position in the progressive development of academic abilities and/or practical skills. 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 subject, choosing from modules in another department within the College of Social Sciences and International Studies, or within another College.
The full list of modules is available at
http://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/socialsciences/modules.php
(for stage/level 1 modules; for stages 2 and 3, replace '1' with those numbers as appropriate)
Modules and other study components can be taken only with the approval of the College (normally given by the student's personal tutor). Modules are not all available every year; options are offered each year at the discretion of the College. 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.
Under the University's rules on modularity 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 subject.
Assessment at Stage 1 is formative and does not contribute towards the overall mark for the degree programme, although an overall pass is necessary for progression to Stage 2.
For a 3-year programme the classification is calculated by weighting the stages:
Stage 1: does not count towards classification.
Stage 2: 1 33.33 %
Stage 3: 2 66.67 %
Stage 1
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| POL1017 | Globalization of World Politics | 15 | No |
| POL1018 | The Challenges of World Politics in the Twenty-First Century | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
Optional modules:
Students to choose a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 90 credits from Level 1 of the Politics Programme.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| PoliticsS1UG2016-17 | |||
| POL1006 | State and Society | 15 | No |
| POL1016A | History of Political Thought 1 | 15 | No |
| POL1016B | History of Political Thought 2 | 15 | No |
| POL1019 | Power and Democracy | 15 | No |
| POL1020 | Politics in Europe | 15 | No |
| POL1905 | Employability | 0 | No |
| POL1001B | State of Britain | 15 | No |
| Total Credits for Stage 1 | 120 |
|---|
Stage 2
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| POL2020 | Contemporary Theories of World Politics | 15 | No |
| POL2057 | Security Studies | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
Students to take a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 90 credits from Level 2 of the Politics Programme.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| PoliticsS2UG2016-17 | |||
| POL2055 | EU Member States | 15 | No |
| POL2071 | Experimental Research in the Social Sciences | 15 | No |
| POL2052 | Foreign Policy: Leadership, Power and Responsibility | 15 | No |
| POL2067 | Gendering World Politics | 15 | No |
| POL2068 | Global Justice and Transnational Democracy | 15 | No |
| POL2058 | Governance and Public Policy in the EU | 15 | No |
| POL2001 | Government II: Comparative Politics | 30 | No |
| POL2042 | International Relations - Order and Justice | 15 | No |
| POL2039 | International Relations, Introduction to Strategic Studies | 15 | No |
| POL2037 | International Relations, Rethinking Third World Politics | 15 | No |
| POL2038 | International Relations, War and Peace in the Middle East | 15 | No |
| POL2063 | Introduction to Middle East Politics | 15 | No |
| POL2021 | Introduction to Postcolonial Politics | 15 | No |
| POL2036 | Introduction to Strategic Studies | 30 | No |
| POL2049 | Media, Public Opinion and Campaigns | 15 | No |
| POL2008 | Middle East Politics | 15 | No |
| POL2032A | Modern Political Thought: From Hobbes to Wollstonecraft | 15 | No |
| POL2032 | Modern Political Thought - From Hobbes to Marx | 30 | No |
| POL2032B | Modern Political Thought: From Kant to Marx | 15 | No |
| POL2030 | Order and Justice in International Society | 30 | No |
| POL2026 | Political Analysis: Behaviour, Institutions, Ideas | 15 | No |
| POL2045 | Political Analysis: Methods | 15 | No |
| POL2022 | Political Ideologies | 15 | No |
| POL2050 | Political Philosophy | 15 | No |
| POL2059 | Political Thought of Modernity | 15 | No |
| POL2053 | Power Politics and Leadership | 15 | No |
| POL2041 | Ppa - Politics of the Public Sector | 15 | No |
| POL2040 | Ppa - Public Policy | 15 | No |
| POL2060 | Public Policy and Administration | 15 | No |
| POL2003 | Public Policy and Administration | 30 | No |
| POL2070 | Quantitative methods in political science | 15 | No |
| POL2072 | Race, Ethnicity and Politics | 15 | No |
| POL2033 | Rethinking Third World Politics | 30 | No |
| POL2057 | Security Studies | 15 | No |
| POL2046 | The Economics of Politics | 15 | No |
| POL2064 | The Political Economy of Globalization | 15 | No |
| POL2027 | The Politics of the World Economy | 15 | No |
| Total Credits for Stage 2 | 120 |
|---|
Stage 3
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| POL3040 | Dissertation | 30 | No |
Optional Modules
Students to take a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 90 credits from a range of 30 credit modules.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| POLS3UG2016-17 | |||
| POL3069 | Globalisation and the Politics of Resistance | 30 | No |
| POL3070 | Electoral Politics | 30 | No |
| POL3074 | The Politics of Climate Change | 30 | No |
| POL3120 | War and Public Opinion | 30 | No |
| POL3123 | Strategy in the Twenty-First Century: From Idea to Practice | 30 | No |
| POL3124 | Anarchism and World Ordering | 30 | No |
| POL3125 | The History and Political Development of Iraq | 15 | No |
| POL3126 | Ethno-Politics: Theoretical Considerations and Case Studies | 15 | No |
| POL3127 | EU Democracy Promotion in the Middle East and North Africa | 30 | No |
| POL3128 | Armed Islamist Movements: Jihadism and Beyond | 15 | No |
| POL3129 | Politics and Reform in the Gulf | 15 | No |
| POL3136 | Political Psychology | 30 | No |
| POL3148 | Human Rights and the Political | 30 | No |
| POL3153 | Justice, Democracy and Civil Society | 30 | No |
| POL3156 | Central Asian Politics | 30 | No |
| POL3166 | Comparing Western Democracies: Parties, Elites, Institutions | 30 | No |
| POL3168 | War and its Aftermath: Interventions and Contemporary Conflict | 30 | No |
| POL3170 | Marxism and Post-Structuralism | 30 | No |
| POL3174 | International Security and US Foreign Policy | 30 | No |
| POL3175 | Nationalisms in the Middle East | 15 | No |
| POL3177 | The Refugee Crisis in the Modern World | 30 | No |
| POL3179 | City Politics: Power, Policy and Conflict | 30 | No |
| POL3180 | Latin American Parties, Politics and Elections | 30 | No |
| POL3184 | Politics of Semidemocratic and Authoritarian Countries | 30 | No |
| POL3186B | Gender, Militarization and Resistance | 30 | No |
| POL3187 | Sub-National and Local Governance: A Practice Approach | 30 | No |
| Total Credits for Stage 3 | 120 |
|---|
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
| 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 global activity | 1-4 are developed in the core level 1 IR modules. Specialist knowledge is then developed in stages 2 and 3 Most politics level 2 and 3 modules are applicable to the development of subject skills in international relations. Nonetheless student choice in these stages is structured to ensure that at least one taught module and a dissertation focusing on an aspect of international relations is taken in stage 2 and stage 3 | 1 These skills are summatively assessed through a combination of term-time essays, presentations. The combination of and length of essays, presentations and exams will vary from one module to the next in the College of Social Sciences and International Studies according to credit value in conformity with College Assessment Norms ILOS 1-4 |
| 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 5 and 6 as students move from stage to stage. 7 is developed through self assessment of assignments, staff feedback on formative assignments and student self -appraisal. | 1 and 2 term-time essays, oral presentations , examinations and the dissertation. 3 not assessed (there is no requirement to do so in the subject benchmark statement) |
| 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 | Presentations, class discussions and written assignments Group work in tutorials (stages and 2) and tutorials (stage 3) | 8 and 10 are assessed through presentations, written assignments, examination and the dissertation 9 written assignments that require ICTfor the retrieval and presentation of information 11 not assessed (there is no requirement to do so in the subject benchmark statement) |
7. Programme Regulations
University Regulations on the number of credits to be taken and at what level for each stage of the programme can be found in the Credit and Qualifications Framework.
Progression
Condonement is the process that allows you to be awarded credit (and so progress to the next stage or, in the final stage, receive an award), despite failing to achieve a pass mark at a first attempt. You are not entitled to reassessment in condoned credit. Regulations on condonement can be found in the Handbook for Assessment, Progression and Awarding for Taught Programmes.
Assessment and Awards
For undergraduate degrees assessment at stage one does not contribute to the summative classification of the award. Details of the weightings for each year of all programme lengths can be found in the Handbook for Assessment, Progression and Awarding for Taught Programmes.
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes and the classification of awards can be found in the Handbook for Assessment, Progression and Awarding for Taught Programmes.
You can also read details of Generic Marking Criteria.
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 with individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support fo the duration of your programme, and this support 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.
Information on the College Personal Tutoring system, library provision, ELE resources and access to College support services can be found on the College webpages for current students.
Student Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC)
SSLCs enable students and staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Learning Resources
The University Library maintains its principal collections in the main library buildings on the Streatham and St Luke's campuses, together with a number of specialist collections in certain Colleges. The total Library collection comprises over a million volumes and 3000 current periodical subscriptions.
IT Services
A wide range of IT services are provided throughout the Exeter campuses, including open-access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Helpdesks are maintained on the Streatham and St Luke's campuses, while most study bedrooms in halls and flats are linked to the University's campus network.
Student Support Services
The University provides many support services including health and wellbeing, multifaith chaplaincy, family support, the Students' Guild and international student support.
10. Admissions Criteria
All applications are considered individually on merit. The University is committed to an equal opportunities policy with respect to gender, age, race, sexual orientation and/or disability when dealing with applications. It is also committed to widening access to higher education to students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience.
Candidates for undergraduate programmes must satisfy the undergraduate admissions requirements of the University of Exeter.
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.
12. Indicators of Quality and Standards
Certain programmes are 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 draw on a range of data to review the quality of education provision. The College documents the performance in each of its tuaght programmes, against a range of criteria on an annual basis through the Annual Student Experience Review (ASER).
Subject areas are reviewed every five years through a College Academic Audit scheme that includes external contributions.
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
N/A
18. Final Award
BA (Hons) International Relations
19. UCAS Code
L250
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
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 31/01/2012 |
Date of last revision | 22/01/2013 |
|---|
