Postgraduate Module Descriptor

POLM148: Brexit: Causes, Interpretation and Implications

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Module Aims

This module familiarizes you with the relationship the UK has traditionally entertained with the EU before addressing in detail the different steps of the separation process now known under ‘Brexit’. It aims at providing you with the skills and knowledge to critically engage in the ongoing debate about Brexit, to evaluate and explain its different components as well as to develop a well-founded position yourself. To do so, it will look at relevant theories which help making sense of European integration in general, and the different aspects of leaving the EU in particular, for instance the economy, immigration, the Union, sovereignty and democratic control. The module is set up in such way that it supports the development of a variety of skills – analytical, methods, team skills as well as individual writing and presentation skills. Overall, it aims to enthuse you and help you position yourself in the defining British debate and development for years to come.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of why there was a United Kingdom referendum about EU-membership in 2016; 2. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the uncertain implications of exiting the EU, both for the UK and the EU; 3. Critically engage with the legitimacy of the referendum and its interpretation by political leaders since 23 June 2016;
Discipline-Specific Skills	4. Critically engage with one of the most important political events of our time; 5. Construct rigorous arguments which show an understanding of key theories; 6. Deploy theoretical arguments and apply them to empirical case studies;
Personal and Key Skills	7. Critically evaluate ideas and debates; 8. Write clearly and coherently; 9. Work independently and in collaboration with peers. 10. Communicate clearly and deliver presentations to peers.

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay plan	Max. 500 words	1-9	Written

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
50	0	50

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
In-class presentation (in groups of 2)	20	20 minutes	1-10	Written
Group Field work and its presentation	30	15 minutes	1-10	Written
Essay	50	4,000 words	1-9	Written

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Group presentation	10 minute viva	1-10	Term 3
Field work and its presentation	15 minutes	1-10	Term 3
Essay	Essay (4,000 words)	1-9	August/September re-assessment period