UDINRPOL - BA International Relations and Politics

The Teaching and Learning strategy of the BA International Relations and Politics degree is designed to dovetail with and reflect that of both the School of Social Sciences and the University. It ensures that the subject content meets, and improves, on the benchmarks set out by the QAA; encourages the acquisition and understanding of knowledge by students, engendering an enthusiasm for the subject and life-skills learning, including the progression from surface learning to deep learning; facilitates students to develop independent skills and responsibilities for their own learning; incrementally strengthens the subject specific knowledge and skills gained by students, in combination with the awareness and application of skills needed successfully to thrive in the workplace.
The degree has a long-standing reputation for pedagogical innovation as well as utilising traditional teaching methods. The latter includes a mixture of lectures, seminars, and workshops. Within this a combination of whole group, small group, and student-led and tutor-led teaching occurs. This can included face to face teaching and discussion, but there is also an increasing emphasis on the use of blended learning opportunities. Modules are paper free, with considerable learning materials and resources being placed on relevant module Weblearn sites, e.g. lecture notes, module handbooks, video links, recorded lectures, podcasts, first hand documents, and blogs. Teaching staff often use electronic feedback, the electronic submission of formative and summative assessments, and on-line office hours. A growing number of materials are also available on-line through the University library, including access to journals and e-books. Students may also take modern languages as extension-of-knowledge modules.
This is all designed to open up the learning space for students to enable them to have continuous access to degree materials, improving the student learning experience, whilst increasing cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
An additional, and important part of the teaching and learning strategy, is the academic research which is carried out by Politics and International Relations staff. This is used to support teaching through transferring staff research skills and knowledge to enhance the student learning experience, i.e. the research is effectively disseminated to students through teaching.
Staff research specialisms are an essential component of the BA International Relations and Politics curriculum, with students benefitting from being taught by subject specialists.
Additionally, staff work closely with the various university support services and the Careers and Library Services to provide an holistic student experience.
The course marries a range of key core modules with a wide range of optional modules to maximise student choice. The content of modules is regularly updated to reflect developments in the subject areas but also to reflect and be flexible in relation to the changing interests of students.

The BA in International Relations and Politics is a cornerstone degree offered by the School of Social Sciences. The degree aims to provide students with a broad perspective on the disciplines of International Relations and Politics and their philosophical, theoretical, historical and practical aspects, and to enhance their ability to understand the complex forces shaping international relations and politics in the contemporary world. In particular, the course aims to:
examine the concept and nature of international relations and politics and the institutions and structures engaged in international and domestic political decision-making;
ensure that students acquire knowledge and understanding in areas of International Relations and Political Science, theory and analysis;
enable students to understand and use the concepts, approaches, key research methods and methodologies of the disciplines, and develop an understanding of their contested nature and the problematic character of international relations and political inquiry; develop in students the capacity to think critically about events, ideas and institutions; encourage students to relate the academic study of International Relations and Politics to questions of public concern; assist students to develop a range of cognitive and social skills relevant to their intellectual, vocational and personal development, with a particular emphasis on employability, e.g. students can apply the knowledge gained from the course in a work experience situation through the work-based learning and work placement modules; provide a curriculum supported by scholarship, staff development and a research culture that promotes breadth and depth of academic inquiry and debate.
Accordingly, the syllabus seeks to assist students’ understanding of the key issues of international relations and politics whether matters of philosophy, ethics, power, rights, justice, democracy, obligation, representation, freedom, security and peacekeeping, conflict and competition within and between states, the key concerns of states, issues of government, governance and public policy and administration, the foreign policy of major powers, the strength and success of international organisations, the international political economy and issues like trade and relations between the developed world and the 'Global South' or 'Third World', terrorism, the media, regional problems like the conflicts in the Middle East, area studies such as Europe, the United States, Latin America or Africa, or the salience of ethical issues like environmentalism, democratisation and human rights.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within International Relations and Politics;

2. devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of International Relations and Politics;

3. describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, in International Relations and Politics, recognising the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge;

4. manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to International Relations and Politics);

5. apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects;

6. critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem;

7. communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences;

8. exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts;

9. undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.

GI4005
GI4xxx
GI4007
GI4008
OLAxxx
GI5005
GI5007
GI5009
MN5W51
GI5W50
GI5060
GI5062
GI6063
GI5064
GI5065
GI5066
GI5067
SS5006
GI6005
GI6007
GI6009
GI6061
GI6064
GI6065
GI6066
GI6067
GI6P01
GI6P51
GI6W01
MN6W51

Learning outcomes cover LO1-9

Politics and International Relations February 2015.

The course combines both formative and summative assessment opportunities, embracing a variety of methods including: essays, briefing papers, exams, seminar performance, seminar presentations (both individual and group), portfolios, blogs, briefing papers, policy documents, and book reviews. The majority will be tutor assessed, but a number will be peer-reviewed in seminars.

At each Level of the degree, assessment and feedback practices are informed by reflection, consideration of professional practice, and subject-specific and educational scholarship. Staff and students are encouraged to engage in dialogue to promote a shared understanding of the basis on which academic judgements are made, and students are provided with opportunities to develop an understanding of, and the necessary skills to demonstrate, good academic practice.

The volume, timing and nature of assessment is designed to enable students to demonstrate the extent to which they have achieved the intended learning outcomes. Indeed, with an emphasis on progression, formative assessment is structured to support students in their summative assessment, with feedback being both constructive and developmental.

Throughout, the strategy is designed to maximise the development of subject specific skills and employability skills appropriate to each level of the degree.

Enhancing student’s future career prospects in a central aspect of the degree programme. In terms of more explicit work-related learning, there are two core pathways from which students can choose, either:

PATHWAY 1

TWO modules – one from Column A and one from Column B

COLUMN A

MN5W51 (Level 5)
Creating a Successful Social Enterprise 1
15 credits (autumn or spring)

MN6W51 (Level 6)
Creating a Successful Social Enterprise 2
15 credits (autumn or spring)

GI5W50 (Level 5 or 6)
Politics and International Relations: Work-Based Learning
15 credits (spring)

COLUMN B

GI6P51 (Level 6)
Dissertation 1 semester
15 credits (autumn)

GI6P01 (Level 6)
Dissertation 1 year
30 credits (year)

PATHWAY 2

GI6W01 (Level 6) Placement 1 year 30 credits (year)

All modules also have aspects of employability embedded within them.

In addition, a study-abroad semester (or, in exceptional circumstances two semesters) can be undertaken as part of the degree programme. The Course Leader (or a delegated representative) must approve the programme of study proposed at the overseas host institution. The Politics and International Relations section has a number of links with partner institutions throughout the world, including Europe, the USA, and Japan. These exchanges are arranged through the University’s International Office.

Every module on this course has embedded within it reflective learning components and personal development planning relevant to the level of study. It will be encouraged in lectures, seminars, and in assessment methods. Students will be directed to reflect on knowledge specific learning, personal and employability skills development. Students will be encouraged to engage positively with all feedback opportunities, be they with tutors or in peer-review situations, and to reflect and learn, resulting in the development of further learning strategies.

By the end of the course you will be ready for careers in organisations ranging from central government departments, diplomatic services, the United Nations and the European Union, to domestic and international businesses, non-governmental organisations, the media, political analysis and research. Graduates have embarked on careers in the Civil Service: the Diplomatic Service; as a local government officer; political analyst and researcher; or undertaken postgraduate study.

You could follow in the footsteps of our graduates who now work for the UK Department for International Development, the United Nations, national diplomatic services, leading non-governmental organisations, businesses and have even become Members of Parliament.

The degree is also excellent preparation if you want to go on to further study or research in subjects including politics, government and international relations.

Whichever path you choose, our teaching staff have nationally-recognised expertise in developing student employability to help you promote yourself effectively in the competitive job market.

In addition to the University’s standard entry requirements, you should have:

• a minimum grade BBC in three A levels (or a minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification)
• GCSE English at grade C/grade 4 or above (or equivalent)
• Mathematics GCSE is not required

Applicants with international qualifications and mature applicants are also welcome.

If you don’t have traditional qualifications or can’t meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing the International Relations and Politics Extended Degree BA (Hons).

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.