UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

Programme Specification: BA (Honours) in International Relations

This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.

Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17

1.  Awarding Institution / Body / University of Central Lancashire
2.  Teaching Institution and Location of Delivery / UCLan, Preston Campus
3.  University Department/Centre / School of Humanities and the Social Sciences
4.  External Accreditation / No
5.  Title of Final Award / BA (Hons) International Relations
6.  Modes of Attendance offered / Full time / Part time
7.  UCAS Code / L250
8.  Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s) / Politics and International Relations
9.  Other external influences / n/a
10.  Date of production/revision of this form / November 2013
11.  Aims of the Programme
·  To offer a broad introduction to the main sub-disciplines of the academic subject of International Relations, Global Politics and International Political Theory
·  To provide opportunities for the critical evaluation of the role of political ideas, institutions, decision-making processes in international and comparative context
·  To provide an intellectually challenging academic curriculum that is informed by the research and scholarly activity of members of the International Relations teaching staff
·  To create a supportive environment to assist the academic development of students
·  To provide access to students from a range of educational backgrounds to develop their academic and wider potential
12.  Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
1. 
A. Knowledge and Understanding
A1.  Knowledge and understanding of key themes and developments of the main sub-disciplines of the academic study of International Relations and Politics – in terms of government, institutions processes, international and global politics and International political theory
A2.  Critical evaluation of political ideas, institutions and decision-making processes at domestic and international level
A3.  Understand how a range of contextual factors (historical,
economic, social) shape contemporary international trends and key political debates
A4. Critical appreciation of a range of primary and secondary sources relating to International Politics and International Relations
Teaching and Learning Methods
Full or part-time study mode
Lectures, interactive seminars, group work, individual and group presentations, individual and group tutorials, independent and supervised study and research, dissertation training and supervision, IT and Blackboard support and interaction, study skills and Personal and Development Planning (PDP) support for the development of appropriate academic and transferable and employability skills.
Assessment methods
A variety of appropriate, targeted assessment strategies are also employed throughout the programme, and consist largely of a balance between various types of coursework and examination. Means of assessment include essay and report writing, critical book and literature reviews, individual and group oral and poster presentations, exams (seen and unseen), extended research dissertation.
B. Subject-specific skills
B1.  Analyse, assess and critically evaluate political concepts and ideas, theories of International Relations and Politics and key texts of social and political analysis
B2.  Devise a research project involving independent study, the location of appropriate sources and the analysis of relevant material relating to the academic study of politics and society
B3.  Communicate effectively both orally and in writing, locate and use electronic and print based materials related to the academic study of International Politics and International Relations
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, interactive seminars, group work, individual and group presentations, individual and group tutorials, independent and supervised study and research, dissertation training and supervision, IT and Blackboard support and interaction, study skills and Personal and Development Planning (PDP) support for the development of appropriate academic and transferable and employability skills.
Assessment methods
Essay and report writing, critical book and literature reviews, individual and group oral and poster presentations, exams (seen and unseen), extended research dissertation.
C. Thinking Skills
C1. Analytical and critical thinking in relation to the key themes, issues and developments of the core strands of the syllabus
C2. Understanding of and critical engagement with relevant wider literature, conceptual and theoretical issues and central debates and perspectives of international politics
C3. Demonstrate independent learning and research skills and the ability to identify, organise and evaluate relevant primary and secondary source materials
C4. Devise a focused research question and coherent research project involving independent study, location of appropriate sources and analysis of relevant materials in the analysis of international politics
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, interactive seminars, group work, individual and group presentations, individual and group tutorials, independent and supervised study and research, IT and Blackboard support and interaction, study skills and dissertation training and supervision.
Assessment methods
Essay and report writing, critical book and literature reviews, individual and group oral and poster presentations, exams (seen and unseen), extended research dissertation.
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1.  Identify, collect and evaluate information from a variety of sources
D2.  Analytical and critical thinking and its appropriate application
D3.  Effectively present and communicate ideas and arguments to others in oral and written form, utilising appropriate presentation techniques
D4.  Work both independently and as part of a team, displaying skills such as self- and time management, negotiation and effective comm]unication
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, interactive seminars, group work, individual and group presentations, individual and group tutorials, independent and supervised study and research, dissertation training and supervision, IT and Blackboard support and interaction, study skills and self-reflection on academic and skills progress and development through Personal and Development Planning (PDP).
Assessment methods
Essay and report writing, critical book and literature reviews, individual and group oral and poster presentations, exams (seen and unseen), extended research dissertation, formative assessment of the learning process and development through discussion and debate, group and other peer interactive work, individual and group tutorials, self reflection and PDP and feedback through tutor, peers and learners teacher.
13. Programme Structures* / 14. Awards and Credits*
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Credit rating
Level 4 / PO1101
PO1109
IR1002
IR1001
AI1000
HY1108
PO1112
HY1117
SO1112
VO1006 / Power, Politics and the State [COMP]
Global Politics: An Introduction to International Relations [COMP]
Alliances, Coalitions and Organisations in International Relations Since 1945
[COMP]
International Relations Portfolio [COMP]
Shaping of Asia Pacific Region
Nations and Empires in Asia: China, India, Japan and Thailand 1857-1949
British Politics
State and Society in Europe, 1815-1914
Global Social Inequalities
Volunteering and Community Action
Elective/Language Option / 20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20 / Certificate in Higher Education
Requires 120 credits at Level 4 or above
Level 5 / IR2101
IR2102
SO2103
HY2099
AI2001
HY2084
HY2095
HY2003
PO2110
VO2004 / Globalisation: History, Theory and Approaches [COMP]
Research Methods in International Relations [COMP]
Social Movements and Revolutions [COMP]
America in The World 1898-Present [COMP]
A FIFTH MODULE FROM THE FOLLOWING SHORT LIST OPTIONS:
Cultural Transformations and Cross-cultural Encounters in the Asia-Pacific
International History of Europe 1914-1991
Cold War in Asia 1945-1989: History, Society and Conflict
A SIXTH MODULE FROM THE FOLLOWING LONG LIST OPTIONS:
Britain and the World 1776-1949
History of Political Ideas
Volunteering in the EU
Elective / 20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20 / Diploma in Higher Education in International Relations
Requires 240 credits including a minimum of 100 at Level 5
Level 6 / IR3991
AI3000
AI3001
CJ3206
CJ3025
CJ3018
CJ3026
CJ3027
HY3063
HY3054
HY3059
HY3062
IR3001
PI3006
PO3134
PO3112
RB3005
SO3003
VO3007 / Dissertation in IR [CORE]
THREE MODULES FROM THE FOLLOWING SHORT LIST OPTIONS:
Development and Change in Asia Pacific
Asia Pacific International Relations
Gendered Imaginations and International Relations
Terrorism and Security
State Crime and Genocide: State Terrorism and Denial
Crime and New Technologies
Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery
Kennedy, Johnson and the World: US Foreign Policy, 1961-69
TWO FURTHER OPTIONS FROM THE FOLLOWING LONG LIST OPTIONS:
India, Pakistan and Afghanistan since 1947: International Conflict and Democracy
African Nationalism and Independence, 1921-1982
A Place Apart? The Northern Ireland Troubles
Ethics, War and Society
Modern European Thought
Continuity and Change in British Politics
Contemporary Anglo-American Political Philosophy
Political Islam and Islamic Movements
‘Suspect’ Populations and ‘Insecure’ Spaces: Security and Policing in the Twenty-First Century
Global Community Exchange / 20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
40 / BA Honours Degree
Requires 360 credits, including a minimum of 220 at Level 5 or above, and including 100 at Level 6.
15. Personal Development Planning
PDP is an integral component of the programme. Modules have specific learning outcomes which incorporate personal development specific to module aims and elements of employability skill building. Additionally, the School of Education & Social Science has facilitated development of practical intelligence and generic skill building, personal reflection and evaluation into an explicit and structured PDP programme. Skills and employability enhancement has been integrated into personal reflection on learning, teaching and assessment for development of core skills, process skills, transferable skills and personal development.
PDP is embedded in the programme through a variety of reflective activities, including oral and written assignments and interactive feedback, interactive peer sessions, student-centred and student-led workshops, discussions and debates, group work and presentations, extensive Blackboard support for PDP, individual and group tutorials and other formative assessment outlined above. Personal tutorials for students are also scheduled throughout programme. Please refer to additional PDP documentation for further information.
The development of employability skills is incorporated and embedded in the curriculum in terms of critical reading and analysis of evidence, the need to marshal and judiciously apply large amounts of information and skills of group interaction and negotiation, oral and written communication and presentation. Formal group and individual feedback sessions will also be scheduled to support and develop students’ progress and performance. Assessment and feedback processes enable students to develop further employability skills of project and time management. Relevant central services such as LIS and Futures is utilised both within modules and as part of the wider programme in Induction. Progression etc.to support development of academic employability and graduate skills.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
The minimum level of attainment required for entry to the start of standard courses leading to awards at first degree level is expressed in terms of UCAS Tariff Points.
Please check the course website for the most up-to-date tariff requirements
Other acceptable qualifications include:
Scottish Certificate of Education Higher Grade
Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Grade
International Baccalaureate
BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in an appropriate subject level at least merit overall
Access to HE Diploma
Applications from people with relevant work or life experience and/or non-standard qualifications are welcome.
International Students (English Language Requirements): IELTS 6.0, or other international tests: TOEFL (Paper based) 550 and TWE of 4; TOEFL Computer based 213 and TWE of 4; TOEFL iBT 80+ (with 18 in writing subscore); Cambridge Advanced C; Cambridge Proficiency C; International Baccalaureate Standard Level (Grade 4 in English); London Test of English Level 4; TEEP 6.0; WELT CCC; Anglia Examinations Syndicate Proficiency-pass or better; City and Guilds English for Business; Communication-Level 2 First; Institute of Linguists Diploma in English for International Communication; LCCI Level 3; MELAB 78 or above; Trinity College (ESOL and ISE) Grades 10 and 11 or ISE III; ESB (International) All-Modes Examinations and the Lancashire English Language Examinations C1.
17. Key sources of information about the programme
·  External Sources: QAA website, UCAS handbooks, Sector Skills Council sources
·  Internal Sources: University website and School brochures
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Core (C), Compulsory (COMP) or Option (O) / Programme Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding / Subject-specific Skills / Thinking Skills / Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
A1 / A2 / A3 / A4 / B1 / B2 / B3 / C1 / C2 / C3 / C4 / D1 / D2 / D3 / D4
LEVEL 6 / IR3991 / Dissertation in International Relations / CORE / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
AI3000 / Development and Change in Asia Pacific / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
AI3001 / Asia Pacific International Relations / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ3018 / State Crime and Genocide: State Terrorism and Denial / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ3025 / Terrorism and Security / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ3026 / Crime and New Technologies / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ3027 / Human trafficking and Modern Day Slavery / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ3206 / Gendered Imaginations and International Relations / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
HY3063 / Kennedy, Johnson and the World: US Foreign Policy, 1961-69 / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
HY3054 / India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Middle East since 1947: International Conflict and Democracy / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
HY3059 / African Nationalism and Independence, 1921-1982 / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
HY3062 / A Place Apart? The Northern Ireland Troubles / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
PI3006 / Modern European Thought / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
PO3134 / Continuity and Change in British Politics / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
PO3112 / Contemporary Anglo-American Political Philosophy / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
IR3001 / War, Ethics and Society / O / x / x / x / x / x / x / x / x / x / x / x / x / X