UDPOLTFY - BA (Hons) Politics (including foundation year)
Course Specification
Validation status | Validated | |||||||||||
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Highest award | Bachelor of Arts | Level | Honours | |||||||||
Possible interim awards | Bachelor of Arts, Diploma of Higher Education, Certificate of Higher Education, Bachelor of Arts, Preparatory Diploma, Preparatory Certificate | |||||||||||
Total credits for course | 480 | |||||||||||
Awarding institution | London Metropolitan University | |||||||||||
Teaching institutions | London Metropolitan University | |||||||||||
School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | |||||||||||
Subject Area | Criminology, Sociology, Politics and International Relations | |||||||||||
Attendance options |
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Course leader |
About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning
The preparatory year (Level Three) of the four-year extended degree programme helps prepare students with non-traditional qualifications, lower UCAS points and mature students wanting to return to education, for Level Four study at undergraduate level. It teaches students the academic study skills, digital skills, research techniques and critical thinking that they will need for undergraduate study as well as introducing them to basic ideas, approaches and themes in social sciences and their pathway choice: Politics. As such, it will introduce students to key themes which will enable them to see the wider context of the subject area and the links between different academic disciplines. The foundation year also aims to develop their independent learning, supporting them to become confident and proactive students, able to operate effectively at undergraduate level within a large university.
The Teaching and Learning strategy from Level Four onwards is designed to: ensure that the subject content meets, and improves, on the benchmarks set out by the QAA; encourage 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; facilitate students to develop independent skills and responsibilities for their own learning; incrementally strengthen 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 include 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, primary 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 Politics curriculum, with students benefitting from being taught by specialists.
At the end of Level Four, students will be able to choose one of two progression routes: either BA Politics or BA International Relations and Politics.
Course aims
The preparatory year (Level Three) aims to support and prepare students to become "undergraduate ready". This will be done by equipping them with the necessary knowledge and understanding in social sciences and their pathway choice (Politics), the key digital and academic skills in order to communicate their ideas effectively (orally and in writing), using an appropriate academic style, that will allow them to progress onto Level Four. It also aims to develop their understanding of different assessments and learning and teaching styles in HE and to build their confidence by experiencing and understanding theories and knowledge through personalisation and reflective learning techniques.
From Level Four onwards, the degree aims to provide students with a broad perspective on the discipline of Politics and its philosophical, theoretical, historical and practical aspects, and to enhance their ability to understand the complex forces shaping politics in the contemporary world.
In particular, the course aims to:
1. examine the concept and nature of politics and the institutions and structures engaged in political decision-making;
2. ensure that students acquire knowledge and understanding in areas of political science, political philosophy, theory and analysis;
3. enable students to understand and use the concepts, approaches, key research methods and methodologies of the discipline, and develop an understanding of its contested nature and the problematic character of political inquiry;
4. develop in students the capacity to think critically about events, ideas and institutions;
5. encourage students to relate the academic study of Politics to questions of public concern;
6. 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 related learning and work placement modules;
7. provide a curriculum supported by scholarship, staff development and a research culture that promotes breadth and depth of academic inquiry and debate.
Course learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:
1. deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within Social Science;
2. devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of Politics;
3. describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, in 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 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.
Course learning outcomes / Module cross reference
IF3050
IF3060
IF3059
IF3073
IF3063
IF3051
GI4005
GI4006
GI4007
GI4008
OL0000
GI5005
GI5009
MN5W50
GI5W50
GI5060
GI5062
GI6063
GI5064
GI5067
SS5006
GI6002
GI6007
GI6009
GI6061
GI6064
GI6065
GI6066
GI6067
GI6P01
GI6P51
GI6W01
MN6W50
Learning Outcomes cover 1-9
Principle QAA benchmark statements
Politics and International Relations February 2015
Assessment strategy
At Level Three, students will be thoroughly prepared for a range of different assessments to give practice in the types of assessments they will face at higher levels. Examples include research reports, in-class tests, written portfolios, individual oral presentations, group-led seminars, literature reviews and essays. These assessments are spread over eight 15 credit modules which allows for early assessment and feedback, giving students a clear sense of progress.
At Level Three, students have opportunities in all modules for formative feedback via draft submissions and one to one tutorials, which focuses on strategies to improve their work and reflect on their strengths and weaknesses. Further formative feedback is received through regular short in-class and on-line tests, peer assessment and discussions and tutor oral and written responses.
From Level Four onwards, 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.
Organised work experience, work based learning, sandwich year or year abroad
Enhancing student’s future career prospects is 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
MN5W50 (Level 5)
Creating a Winning Business 1
15 credits (autumn or spring)
GI5W50 (Level 5 or 6)
Politics and International Relations: Work-Based Learning
15 credits (spring)
MN6W50 (Level 6)
Creating a Winning Business 2
15 credits (autumn or spring)
COLUMN B
GI6P51 (Level 6)
Dissertation 1 semester
15 credits (autumn)
GI6P01 (Level 6)
Dissertation 1 year
30 credits (year)
Course specific regulations
N/A
Modules required for interim awards
A Preparatory Certificate may be awarded on completion of any modules totalling 60 credits and a Preparatory Diploma on completion of 120 credits.
Arrangements for promoting reflective learning and personal development
Throughout Level Three students will be required to reflect on their learning, identify areas of strength and weakness and develop action plans in response to these reflections. This will occur informally through tutor and peer feedback and also formally through reflective writing as part of the assessments and the written and oral response from tutors to this. We expect that through this experience of reflective learning, students will start to understand the value of being proactive, independent learners, ready for their first year of undergraduate study.
This support is continued from Level Four onwards, with every module on the course having 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 developing of further learning strategies.
Other external links providing expertise and experience
N/A
Career, employability and opportunities for continuing professional development
By the end of the course you will be ready for careers in organisations ranging from local government, 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.
Career opportunities
Our politics and international relations graduates have gone on to a variety roles including an advocate of quality assitants, operations managers and HR leads, campaigns managers and major donor officers.
The companies and organisations our graduates have gone on to work for include Muslim Aid, the American Cultural and Educational Centre of Bahrain, the UK Department for International Development and the United Nations.
Entry requirements
In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:
- at least one A level (or a minimum of 32 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC Subsidiary/National/BTEC Extended Diploma)
- English Language GCSE at grade C (grade 4) or above (or equivalent)
If you are a mature student with significant work experience, you are invited to apply for this course on the basis of the knowledge and skills you have developed through your work.
Official use and codes
Approved to run from | 2019/20 | Specification version | 1 | Specification status | Validated |
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Original validation date | 05 Aug 2019 | Last validation date | 05 Aug 2019 | ||
Sources of funding | HE FUNDING COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND | ||||
JACS codes | |||||
Route code | POLTFY |
Stage 1 Level 03 September start Offered
Code | Module title | Info | Type | Credits | Location | Period | Day | Time |
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IF3050 | Critical Thinking | Core | 15 | NORTH | AUT | WED | PM | |
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IF3051 | Studying London | Core | 15 | NORTH | SPR | FRI | AM | |
IF3058 | Reflecting on Self and Society | Core | 15 | NORTH | AUT | THU | AM | |
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IF3059 | Social Issues in Context: Text to Essay | Core | 15 | NORTH | SPR | THU | AM | |
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IF3060 | Researching Discrimination | Core | 15 | NORTH | AUT | WED | PM | |
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IF3061 | Researching Inequality | Core | 15 | NORTH | SPR | THU | AM | |
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IF3063 | Media, Crime and 'Race' | Core | 15 | NORTH | AUT | THU | AM | |
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IF3073 | Interventions for Change | Core | 15 | NORTH | SPR | THU | AM | |
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Stage 1 Level 03 January start Not currently offered
Code | Module title | Info | Type | Credits | Location | Period | Day | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IF3050 | Critical Thinking | Core | 15 | |||||
IF3051 | Studying London | Core | 15 | |||||
IF3058 | Reflecting on Self and Society | Core | 15 | |||||
IF3059 | Social Issues in Context: Text to Essay | Core | 15 | |||||
IF3060 | Researching Discrimination | Core | 15 | |||||
IF3061 | Researching Inequality | Core | 15 | |||||
IF3063 | Media, Crime and 'Race' | Core | 15 | |||||
IF3073 | Interventions for Change | Core | 15 |
Stage 2 Level 04 September start Offered
Code | Module title | Info | Type | Credits | Location | Period | Day | Time |
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GI4005 | Introduction to International Relations | Core | 30 | |||||
GI4006 | Global Politics, Economy and Society | Core | 30 | |||||
GI4007 | Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy since 1945 | Core | 30 | |||||
GI4008 | Politics and Government | Core | 30 | |||||
OL0000 | Open Language Programme Module | Core | 15 | NORTH | SPR | NA | ||
NORTH | AUT | NA |
Stage 3 Level 05 September start Offered
Code | Module title | Info | Type | Credits | Location | Period | Day | Time |
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GI5009 | Political Theory | Core | 30 | NORTH | AUT+SPR | THU | PM | |
GI5069 | Governance and Public Policy | Core | 15 | NORTH | AUT | MON | PM | |
GI5070 | Comparative Politics | Core | 15 | NORTH | SPR | MON | PM | |
GI5005 | Approaches to International Relations and Forei... | Option | 30 | NORTH | AUT+SPR | TUE | PM | |
GI5050 | Immigrants and Nativists | Option | 15 | NORTH | SPR | TUE | AM | |
GI5060 | American Foreign Policy | Option | 15 | |||||
GI5062 | Media and Culture | Option | 15 | NORTH | AUT | TUE | AM | |
GI5063 | Politics of the Middle East | Option | 15 | NORTH | AUT | TUE | AM | |
GI5064 | The Politics of the European Union | Option | 15 | NORTH | SPR | THU | AM | |
GI5067 | Contemporary US Politics | Option | 15 | NORTH | AUT | THU | AM | |
SS5006 | Racism and Ethnicity | Option | 30 | NORTH | AUT+SPR | FRI | PM | |
WL5W50 | Empowering London: Working within the Community | Option | 15 | NORTH | AUT+SPR | FRI | AM | |
NORTH | AUT+SPR | WED | PM | |||||
XK0000 | Extension of Knowledge Module | Option | 15 | NORTH | SPR | NA | ||
NORTH | AUT | NA |
Stage 4 Level 06 September start Offered
Code | Module title | Info | Type | Credits | Location | Period | Day | Time |
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GI6009 | The Politics of Modern States | Core | 30 | NORTH | AUT+SPR | THU | AM | |
GI6P01 | Project 1 Year | Alt Core | 30 | NORTH | AUT+SPR | MON | PM | |
GI6P51 | Project 1 Semester | Alt Core | 15 | NORTH | SPR | MON | PM | |
NORTH | AUT | MON | PM | |||||
GI6W01 | Placement 1 Year | Alt Core | 30 | NORTH | AUT+SPR | TUE | PM | |
GI6002 | Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding | Option | 30 | NORTH | AUT+SPR | THU | PM | |
GI6007 | Public Diplomacy and Global Communication | Option | 30 | NORTH | AUT+SPR | MON | PM | |
GI6061 | Modern British Politics | Option | 15 | |||||
GI6064 | African Politics | Option | 15 | NORTH | SPR | TUE | PM | |
GI6065 | Latin American Politics | Option | 15 | NORTH | AUT | TUE | PM | |
GI6066 | Action and Identity: Gender and Political Parti... | Option | 15 | NORTH | SPR | WED | PM | |
GI6067 | Human Rights and International Conflict | Option | 15 | |||||
WL6W50 | Empowering London: Working within the Community | Option | 15 | NORTH | AUT+SPR | FRI | AM | |
NORTH | AUT+SPR | WED | PM | |||||
XK0000 | Extension of Knowledge Module | Option | 15 | NORTH | SPR | NA | ||
NORTH | AUT | NA |