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Undergraduate Teaching in
International Politics


Programme Specification for the BSc in International Politics

For extracts containing the main academic points from this Programme Specification     -     click here

Admissions

Admission is through the UCAS system and students are normally required to have 280 tariff points, with at least 100 points in Sociology, Politics, History or some other social science subject. Mature students will be considered on a case-by-case basis, if they have relevant professional experience. Those for whom English is not their first language should have a TOEFL score of 260 or above, or an IELTS of 6.5 or above, in each component of the test.

Educational Aims

The BSc in International Politics has the following aims

Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategies

The educational aims are achieved through a combination of lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops and small group classes, supported by a personal tutorial system. Lectures are used to provide commentary on and explanation of key content areas. Small group classes are used to develop understanding by inviting students to raise questions and participate in the debate and by providing guidance for further study.

Students are required to undertake extensive reading and independent study in order to understand the topics covered in lectures and classes and to broaden and deepen their knowledge.

For the third year project, students will receive supervision and the opportunity to develop research methods and writing skills.

Assessment is primarily in the form of coursework (assessed essays and assignments), unseen examinations and the final year project.

Learning Outcomes

The Politics and International Relations benchmark references are taken from Table I of www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/benchmark/honours/politics.asp (as of April 2005). These benchmarks are not numbered. The numbering used below refers to the order of the bullet points, under the appropriate headings. Note that these benchmarks neither refer to Values and Attitudes nor to any Subject Specific Skills

Learning Outcomes: Subject Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, a student will be expected to be able to

Learning and teaching methods

Acquisition of knowledge and understanding is achieved through a combination of lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops and small group classes, supported by a personal tutorial system. Students are encouraged to undertake extensive reading and independent study in order to understand the topics covered in lectures and classes and to broaden and deepen their knowledge of the subject.

Learning Outcomes: Values and Attitudes

On successful completion of this programme, a student will be expected to be able to

Learning and teaching methods

Acquisition of these values and attitudes is achieved through a combination of lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops and small group classes, supported by a personal tutorial system. In particular, there will be emphasis, in all coursework, on the inadmissibility of plagiarism.

Assessment Methods

The first learning outcome will not be directly assessed, but will arise indirectly in assessment of the ability to understand the different values of different political actors. The second will be evident in the award of marks of zero for essays or projects that show evidence of significant plagiarism, (but not for inadequate referencing).

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive/Intellectual Skills

On successful completion of this programme, a student will be expected to be able to

Learning and teaching methods

Cognitive skills are promoted via lectures, interactive sessions, tutor led seminars, student presentations, group discussion in small classes, tutorials, workshops and supervision during the final year project. Each course involves discussion of key issues, practice in applying and evaluating concepts and perspectives, both orally and in writing, analysis and interpretation of material and feedback on work produced

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific Skills

On successful completion of this programme, a student will be expected to be able to

Learning and teaching methods

Subject-specific skills are promoted via lectures, interactive sessions, tutor led seminars, student presentations, group discussion in small classes, tutorials, workshops and supervision during the final year project. Each course involves discussion of key issues, practice in applying and evaluating concepts and perspectives, both orally and in writing, analysis and interpretation of material and feedback on work produced

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On successful completion of this programme, a student will be expected to be able to

Learning and teaching methods

General transferable skills are developed in all modules. All modules require assessed coursework which is used for formative assessment and feedback as well as for summative assessment. Final year projects promote independent study, deepen student learning and develop skills of reflection, interpretation, information collection as well as research and writing skills.

Programme Structure

In each year, students must gain 120 credits to pass the year.

The First Year introduces the key topics for the degree, with core modules, totalling 90 credits, on theory, on global issues of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries and on international organisations. For the remaining 30 credits, a choice is made from a wide selection of Electives from other departments, in order to encourage the awareness of the value of perspectives from disciplines other than Political Science. International Politics is provided as distinct 15-credit modules, each in a single Teaching Period, so that the modules can also be readily available for visiting Occasional Students.

The Second Year continues, with core modules on issue theory and on international organisations, totalling 60 credits. The remaining 60 credits are chosen from a list of International Politics Electives, but students may, if they wish, choose 30 credits from a list of modules offered by other departments. Some of the International Politics modules are provided as 15-credit modules, so that they can also be readily available for visiting Occasional Students.

The Third Year has a core theory module on the nature of the global political system and all students must produce an independent Project. The remaining 60 credits are chosen from a variety of elective modules in International Politics or Sociology or from the Centre for Language Studies. The modules offered from Sociology are solely those that focus on aspects of globalisation.

Part One

Students are required to take the following core modules, totalling 90 credits.

CodeTitleCreditsCompensation permissible
IP1001Theories of Global Politics (1) - Term 115Not permitted
IP1002Theories of Global Politics (2) - Term 215Not permitted
IP1003Global Political Issues in the Late Twentieth Century - Term 115Not permitted
IP1004Global Political Issues in the Twenty-First Century - Term 215Not permitted
IP1005International Organisations in Global Politics (1) - Term 115Not permitted
IP1006International Organisations in Global Politics (2) - Term 215Not permitted

Students may select Elective modules from the following list, totalling 30 credits:

CodeTitleCreditsCompensation permissible
SG1001Introduction to Sociology30Permitted
SG1002Sociology Workshop30Permitted
SG1003Introduction to Media Studies30Permitted
SG1005Media, History and Politics15Permitted
SG1006Contemporary Issues in Media Studies15Permitted
SG1200Introduction to Criminology30Permitted
EC1001Introduction to Economics30Permitted
EC1005European Business15Permitted
PS1004History and Theory of Psychology15Permitted
SG1008Study Skills15Permitted
Language for General Purposes
French/German/Spanish at an appropriate level
15Permitted

Requirements for progression to the Second Year

To pass Part I, the students must have acquired 120 credits, as specified above.

No compensation is possible for any of the core modules, but the standard university regulations permitting resits apply. Compensation is possible for the Electives, provided that the overall average mark for all modules is above 40% and the mark for the compensated module is at least 30%. In the case of 30-credit modules, such compensation is an exception from the University Assessment Regulations, which is justified on the basis that these modules are supplementary to the Learning Outcomes for the International Politics Programme.

Part Two

Students are required to take the following core modules, totalling 60 credits:

Code Title Credits Compensation permissible
IP2001Analysis of Issues in Global Politics (1) - Term 115Not permitted
IP2002Analysis of Issues in Global Politics (2) - Term 215Not permitted
IP2003International Organisations in Global Politics (3) - Term 115Not permitted
IP2004International Organisations in Global Politics (4) - Term 215Not permitted

Students may select Elective modules from the following lists, totalling 60 credits.
At least 30 credits must be from the list of International Politics Electives.

International Politics Electives
Students should note that this list represents our current plans. The International Politics options actually available will depend upon the two new staff appointed in 2005-2006.
Code Title Credits Compensation permissible
IP2005Religions in Global Politics30Not permitted
IP2006The Middle East in Global Politics30Not permitted
IP2007Foreign Policy Analysis30Not permitted
SG2008Sociology of Europe30Not permitted
IP2009Exceptionalism and the USA30Not permitted

Electives from Other Departments
Code Title Credits Compensation permissible
SG2001Theories and Research Strategies in Contemporary Sociology30Permitted
SG2002Understanding Social Change30Permitted
SG2003Media, Culture and Society30Permitted
SG2004New Media Challenges30Permitted
SG2006News and Society30Permitted
SG2007Globalisation and the City30Permitted
SG2010Media, Crime and Criminal Justice30Permitted
EC2003*Economics of Public Policy30Permitted
EC2004*International Economics30Permitted
EC2007*The Economics and Politics of the European Union30Permitted

*NB EC1001 is a pre-requisite for EC2003, EC2004 or EC2007

Requirements for progression to the Third Year

To pass Part II, the students must have acquired 120 credits, as specified above.

No compensation is possible for any of the core modules or the International Politics Electives, but the standard university regulations permitting resits apply. Compensation is possible for the Electives from other departments, if any, provided that the overall average mark for all modules is above 40% and the mark for the compensated module is at least 30%.

Part Three

Students are required to take the following two core module, totalling 60 credits:

Code Title Credits Compensation permissible
IP3001International Politics Project Workshop30Not permitted
IP3002Global Political Systems30Not permitted

Students may select Elective modules from the following lists, totalling 60 credits.
Students should note that this list represents our current plans. The International Politics options, with an IP code, actually available will depend upon the two new staff appointed in 2005-2006 and two further new staff in 2006-2007. Options with an SG code or an LA code are currently available.

Code Title CreditsCompensation permissible
IP3003Global Environmental Politics30Not permitted
IP3004The Global Politics of Development30Not permitted
IP3005International Trade and International Finance30Not permitted
IP3006Human Rights in Global Politics30Not permitted
IP3007The Transnational Women's Movement30Not permitted
IP3008The Global Politics of Population Change30Not permitted
SG3001Globalisation, Social Difference and Human Rights30Not permitted
SG3002Culture, Community and Identity30Not permitted
SG3003World Media Industry30Not permitted
SG3008Migration, Refugees and Globalisation30Not permitted
SG3011Crime, Policing and the Cosmopolitan City30Not permitted
SG3012Crime in a Global Perspective30Not permitted
LA3105
or 3205
or 3305
European Business Culture - France     or
European Business Culture - Germany     or
European Business Culture - Spain
30Not permitted

Requirements for progression to the Award of a Degree

To pass Part III, the students must have acquired 30 credits for the Project, plus 90 credits from the modules as specified above. No compensation is possible for any Part III modules, but the standard university regulations permitting resits apply. Alternatively, when a student has passed 90 credits, but failed one module, the Assessment Board may decide, as permitted under the University Assessment Regulations, to award an Ordinary Degree.

Programme Assessment Regulations

Periods of Registration

The period of registration for the award of a Bachelor's degree with Hons, within the programme route, is subject to a minimum of three years and a maximum of six years

Award of a BSc Degree in International Politics

To qualify for the Honours Degree, the student must satisfy the pass requirements for Parts I, II and III. The Overall Aggregate Mark for the Honours Degree shall be calculated using the overall percentage marks achieved at the end of Parts I, II and III, in the ratio 10:30:60 respectively.

The minimum percentage in the Overall Aggregate Mark for recommendation for the award of Honours Classification shall normally be

Class I     Minimum 70%
Class II Upper Division     Minimum 60%
Class II Lower Division     Minimum 50%
Class III     Minimum 40%

A candidate for an Honours Degree who does not reach the standard required for Class III may, at the discretion of the Assessment Board, be recommended for the award of an Ordinary BSc Degree in International Politics, even though he or she may not have satisfied the requirements to pass Part III. The minimum percentage in the Overall Aggregate for recommendation for the award shall normally be 40%.

Compensation between Modules at First Attempt

Where a student fails up to 30 credits, at any Part, at a first valid attempt, the Assessment Board may consider the application of compensation, provided that

(a) modules have been taken in a single valid attempt, including where resits have taken place; this means that students must have taken all assessments associated with a Part within the normal specified time for that Part; and

(b) compensation is permissible for the module(s) in question, as set out in this Programme Scheme.

A student who receives a compensated pass in a module shall be awarded the credit for the module. The original component marks shall be retained in the record of marks and the greater of the original module mark and the minimum pass mark for the module shall be used for the purpose of calculation towards the Overall Aggregate for the degree.

Resit After First Attempt

Where compensation is not permissible and there has been a first valid attempt, resit provisions will apply to all failed modules, provided that

(a) the method and date of resit, shall be prescribed by the Assessment Board in accordance with the university regulations;

(b) a module may be resat only once; and

(c) a student who does not satisfy his or her resit by the date specified shall not progress to the next Part and the Assessment Board shall make a recommendation to Senate that they withdraw.

The Assessment Board may, at its discretion, permit a student to resit during the course of the following year, with or without attendance.

A student who successfully completes a resit shall be awarded the credit for that module or modules and their original mark for the purposes of calculation towards the award, except where the overall aggregate for the Part is below 40% in which case, provided all requirements to pass the Part have been met, the aggregate for the Part shall be deemed to be 40% for the purpose of calculation of the award.

Resit Provisions

If the Assessment Board for the Part requires that a resit be conducted, the failed assessment component (ie that assessment component for which a mark of less than the module pass mark is achieved) should be resat.

Fail Withdraw

Where a student fails to meet the requirements for a particular Part and is not eligible for the award of a lower level qualification, the Assessment Board shall require the student to withdraw from the Programme.

Supplementary Information

School Information

The School of Social Sciences, comprising the Departments of Economics, Psychology and Sociology offers a dynamic and challenging academic environment for undergraduate and postgraduate study, combining traditional social science disciplines with distinctive applications in professionally relevant fields. With an established reputation for high-quality teaching and research, the School has a lively and diverse population of over 1000 students, including around 650 undergraduates in Economics, Psychology and Sociology and 400 postgraduate students.

Induction Programme

There is a full programme of induction activities in the first week of the first term offered by the University, including familiarisation tours and meetings with different support areas. The School offers an induction day with talks from the School and Departments. All relevant information is contained in the Programme Handbook which students receive on induction.

Personal Tutor Arrangements

Each student is allocated a member of staff as a Personal Tutor. In principle, this will be somebody who teaches one of their modules. Students may express a preference for somebody else and this will be respected, where there appears to be good reason. The role of the Personal Tutor is to assist with personal and academic problems, monitor progress, help develop learning skills and point students in the direction of more specialised services within the University.

Additional Sources of support for students

Student feedback and representation arrangements

Library and study skills package

Programme Management Structure

On a day-to-day basis, all liaison on matters of academic policy is through the Programme Director. Submission and return of coursework, registration of module choices and all other routine questions are handled by the Undergraduate Programme Administrator. Once a term there is a formal meeting of a Staff-Student Liaison Committee, with representatives from the programme.


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Centre for International Politics, School of Social Science, City University, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB.
Page maintained by Peter Willetts

Page produced on 8 August 2005
Updated on 8 August 2005