PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
(where stopping off points exist they should be detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme specification is applicable:
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
Teaching institution:
Faculty:
Parent Department:
(the department responsible for the administration of the programme)
Departmental web page address:
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the programme:
MA Legal and Political Theory
MA
From 2014/15 intake onwards
University College London
University College London
Social and Historical Sciences
School of Public Policy http://www.ucl.ac.uk/spp
The programmes can be taken either full-time or part-time.
Requires a good 2.1 degree or GPA 3.5 or country equivalent
An IELTS of Advanced level with 7.5 overall with min of 6.5 in all subtests.
In certain cases, some applicants with a 2.2 may be considered with substantial relevant work experience
One calendar year full-time, two calendar years part-time Length of the programme:
(please note any periods spent away from
UCL, such as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the programme and its assessment methods:
(see guidance notes)
Level 7
Students must take two compulsory core courses assessed by coursework and an oral examination and optional courses equivalent to four one-term long courses (assessed by coursework or unseen examination) and a submit a 10,000 word dissertation

Board of Examiners:
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
Name of Board of Examiners:
PUBLGLEG - Board of Examiners in MA in Human Rights and MA in
Legal and Political Theory
N/A Date of next scheduled accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The MA in Legal and Political Theory aims to raise critical awareness of major issues in legal and political theory in the broadly Anglo-American tradition; to inculcate the ability to discuss, in an informed, coherent and critical way, issues of contemporary political thought; to develop the confidence to think creatively; and to improve the transferable skills of coherent and rational argument and the written and oral expression of ideas.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:

Knowledge and understanding of:
1. How to assess and evaluate and criticise the important ideas of selected theorists in the broadly Anglo-American tradition;
A: Knowledge and understanding
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Acquisition through the teaching on the core courses:
Meanings of Liberty; PAL sessions; Contemporary
Political Philosophy; Equality, Justice and Difference;
Global Ethics; Public Ethics; Republicanism and
2. How to articulate and justify a considered and coherent position on issues concerning the relationship between politics, law and society
3. The central texts in the body of literature on the subject.
4. Aspects of philosophy, history, sociology, politics, legal and social theory
Liberalism; Social Values and Public Policy;
Jurisprudence and Legal Theory; Global Justice and
Human Rights in an International Order. Teaching for all courses takes the form of seminars where time is dedicated both to introducing students to knowledge and materials, and allowing students to test their understanding, knowledge and evaluative skills, through discussion, criticism and debate of issues which they have, prior to class, researched and on which they have formulated discussion points. Students will also have to write essays on these issues, which will allow them to further refine and consolidate their knowledge and understanding.
2 Acquisition will be achieved through required private reading, research and writing, as well as discussion of the findings of the research and writing for the core courses.
3. Students are also able to take up to 1.5 units from a range of option courses, subject to the approval of the programme co-ordinator.
Assessment:
Students will be assessed by a variety of methods:
‘unseen’ examinations, long essays, course work and a dissertation. The last mentioned is a required method of assessment.

Intellectual (thinking) skills: able to:
The programme aims to help students:
1. critically analyse texts, positions and arguments, questioning their rational and practical basis and consequences;
2. discuss, in an informed, coherent and critical way, issues of contemporary political thought;
3. plan, evaluate and develop a project of research will also be integral to the programme, and which will prepare the student for undertaking innovative research in the future.
B: Skills and other attributes
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Reading/ Private Study Direction: students will be guided in their private reading and research to develop views, criticisms and analyses of texts.
2. Peer assisted learning sessions and seminars: argumentative and critical ability will be fostered through
A) introduction to new materials and arguments in class, and B) seminar discussions where such materials and arguments can be discussed and debated, under the guidance of the class facilitator/convenor.
3. Essay Writing: the further refinement of critical, argumentative, organisational and analytical abilities will be developed through essay writing tasks to foster the formulation of clear, coherent and consistent expression.
4. The final dissertation will be an opportunity, guided by tutorial discussion, to develop the skills gathered in the taught component of the program, as well as the further ability to research and specialise in a narrower topic.
5. Research planning, development and evaluation will be acquired through the students choosing a project heading for their dissertation, developing a question with their supervisor, and developing methods for approaching this question through supervision, and from seminar discussions on the general topic headings. The writing of the dissertation will involve research and research oriented intellectual skills, such as evaluation and assessment of whether a particular research direction proves as fruitful as originally envisaged.
.
Assessment:
Through ‘unseen’ examinations, course work, longessays, dissertation. The latter is a required method of assessment.

Practical skills - able to:
This programme aims to help students with the following practical skills:
1. Present a view in an accessible way, in
C: Skills and other attributes
Teaching/learning methods and strategies
1 - Through preparation and feedback from seminar presentations, and witnessing and discussing the efforts of peers.
2 and 3 - Through emphasis on analysis and criticism in a public forum.
2. Articulate a view/argument, accurately whether prepared or spontaneous/situation sensitive.
3. Communicate and listen effectively.
4. Argue for a position in a plausible, and engaging way, either in the presentational essay writing, and questions and discussion in the seminar situation, with emphasis placed on clarity and sensitivity to the needs of the target audience.
4 and 5 - Feedback and instructions/guidance in essay writing will place most emphasis on argument and organisation of work. Students will be guided to develop plausible arguments in the seminar situation (this will be format, or in the written medium.
5. The ability to organise work and presentational material.
6. The ability to investigate, and pursue a body of innovative research, using the means at the students disposal (libraries, institutes, tutors and peer discussion).
7. Self-guidance in project work, independent work.
8. Use data bases, internet resources and word processing programmes. reinforced by feedback from course convenors and tutors).
6 and 7 - G uided and encouraged through the student’s preparation of essays, and especially through the preparation of the dissertation. This will require the student to develop his/her own rhythm of work and ways of fulfilling deadlines, which will be self guided, but nevertheless encouraged and advised by tutors.
Encouragement and guidance through course materials will place an emphasis on innovation and contribution.
8 - Through ‘hands-on’ instruction and feedback comments on bibliographical, research (internet), and presentational work in essays and projects.
Assessment:
1 and 3: in the seminar presentations, the peer assisted learning sessions and the oral assessment.
2 and 3: through essays and presentations and through tutorial meetings.
4 and 5: through essay work, seminar presentation, seminar discussion and tutorial discussion of project work.
6 and 7: through reading, essay preparation, presentations, tutorials and dissertation
8: by the evidence shown of research work (internet and data bases), bibliographical work (data bases), and presentation of work (word processing), in essays and dissertations.

Transferable skills - able to:
1. Write good essays/reports/projects.
2. Use computer resources (data bases; internet; word processing packages).
3. Listen and communicate.
4. Understand new ideas and assess them.
5. Reflect and evaluate their own ideas, as well as others.
6. Present material orally displaying coherent and rational argument.
7. Carry out research/study using a variety of media (written; web-based; data base; interview recordings and transcripts).
8. Use of archives, libraries and research institutes.
9. Make original contributions to scholarship.
D: Skills and other attributes
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1 - Through essays, dissertations, course work/formal presentations.
2 - T hrough ‘hands-on’ instruction and guidance and special additional courses available from library management and information systems division.
3, 4 and 5 - Through engaging with texts, reading, writing essays, feedback on writing and presentations and open discussion in seminars, and debate with peers in seminars.
6 - Through seminar presentations and feedback, and witnessing and commenting on peer’s presentations.
7 - Through research and study practice, guided by prompt questions and essay tasks. Through the preparation of a dissertation project requiring research in a variety of media, guided by tutor and prompt questions from class handouts.
8 - Through indications for research given in class information handouts, and practice of researching essays and projects.
9 - Through the development of a dissertation topic.
Assessment:
1 -Through marking of essays, dissertation project and assessment of seminar presentations.
2 -Through assessment of variety of resources used in research for writing essays, dissertations and seminar presentations.
3 -Through assessment of performance in presenting, discussing and debating in seminars and class.
4 -Through assessment of students written
(essay/projects) and oral (presentations, seminar discussion) evaluation, criticism and analysis of ideas found in literature and of principles present in practices they encounter in class, discussion and research.
6 - Assessed through students ability to critically analyse and assess their own position, considering objections, and evidence for and against, in written work, presentations or class discussion.
7 and 8 - In terms of research undertaken, as evidenced in the student’s written and presentation work.
9 - As evidenced by originality and angle of scholarship present in essays and dissertations.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:

the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
( http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf
);

the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
( http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements );

the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);

UCL teaching and learning policies;

staff research.
Please note: This 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. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Dr Emily McTernan Programme Organiser(s)
Name(s):
Date of Production:
Date of Review:
Date approved by Head of
Department:
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
May 2014
December 2014
December 2014
December 2014
January 2015