Programme Specification

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Programme Specification
A statement of the knowledge, understanding and skills that underpin a
taught programme of study leading to an award from
The University of Sheffield
1
Programme Title
International Political Economy
2
Programme Code
POLT31 (Full-time), POLT33 (Part-time)
3
JACS Code
L240
4
Level of Study
Postgraduate
5a
Final Qualification
Master of Arts (MA)
5b
QAA FHEQ Level
Masters
6
Intermediate Qualification(s)
Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)
7
Teaching Institution (if not Sheffield)
Not applicable
8
Faculty
Social Sciences
9
Home Department
Politics
10
Other Department(s) involved in
teaching the programme
None
11
Mode(s) of Attendance
Full-time or Part-time
12
Duration of the Programme
1 year Full time, 2 years Part-time
13
Accrediting Professional or
Statutory Body
None
14
Date of production/revision
September 2003 (revised April 2014)
15. Background to the programme and subject area
This programme allows students to develop an advanced understanding of international political economy. It looks
at contemporary issues in international political economy, and provides an opportunity to evaluate the ability of
theories in international political economy to make sense of contemporary international changes in states and
markets. Students will explores links between global, regional and national politics, as well as a range of thematic
issues concerning globalisation, hegemony, development, governance and co-operation. They will examine the
leading perspectives, which over time have constituted IPE theory including neo- realist and neo-liberal theories,
dependency theory and Marxism, neo- Gramscian IPE, and feminist perspectives. Option choices provide students
with the opportunity of studying in-depth the process of economic and political restructuring within particular states
and regions. Graduates are equipped to pursue a variety of careers in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
Teaching is organised to provide a challenging learning environment that reflects the research interests and
expertise of staff, assuring that students engage with insights and problems at the frontiers of the discipline.
Further information on programmes can be found on the Department’s website at http://www.shef.ac.uk/politics.
16.
Programme aims
1. To produce graduates with an advanced knowledge and understanding of international political economy, and of
the concepts, theories, approaches and methods employed in the study of international political economy;
2. To enable students to evaluate different perspectives on international processes, events and controversies; to
engage critically with current research and advanced scholarship; and to assess critically issues related to the
global political economy;
3. To allow students to develop a range of important intellectual, practical and key skills;
4. To prepare graduates for employment in a wide range of contexts, or for continued studies.
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17.
Programme learning outcomes (MA and Diploma)
Knowledge and understanding: By the end of the programme students will be able to demonstrate:
K1
Systematic knowledge and understanding of ideas, institutions and practices related to the international
political economy;
K2
Advanced understanding of concepts, theories and methods deployed to analyse the international political
economy;
K3
The ability to evaluate differing interpretations of processes, events and debates in international political
economy;
K4
The ability to engage critically with current research and advanced scholarship in the analysis of
international political economy;
K5
The ability to assess critically issues related to international changes in contemporary states and markets.
Skills and other attributes:
Intellectual and practical skills: by the end of the programme students will have demonstrated (in relation to the
subject matter) an ability to:
SIP1
Apply knowledge in an original and creative way, analyse complex issues, exercise critical judgement; and
solve problems;
SIP2
Apply appropriate techniques to collect information, analyse findings, and interpret evidence:
SIP3
Manage learning effectively, including self-assessment and the constructive use of feedback;
Key skills: By the end of this programme students will be able to:
SK1
Communicate effectively in oral and written forms;
SK2
Work independently, demonstrating initiative and personal responsibility;
SK3
Display originality in problem solving, and the ability to make sound decisions in the face of incomplete
evidence;
SK4
Undertake self-directed learning to acquire further knowledge and skills.
Programme learning outcomes (MA only)
Knowledge and understanding: By the end of the programme students will be able to demonstrate:
K6
Advanced and detailed knowledge of a particular topic in international political economy;
Key skills: By the end of this programme students will be able to:
SIP4
Conduct an independent research project (including project design, investigation, analysis, and written
presentation of the findings).
18. Teaching, learning and assessment
Knowledge and understanding (K1-5) are acquired in a variety of teaching and learning environments including,
seminars, small group interactions, and independent research. For MA students, advanced and detailed knowledge
and understanding of a specific topic (K6) is acquired through preparation of the dissertation, which builds on and
further extends knowledge acquired on the taught components. For all such learning outcomes (K1-6) emphasis is
placed on individual study – on reading and note taking, exploring printed and electronic sources, reflecting on
material, and preparation. Assessment (see below) forms an integral part of the learning process, with essays,
projects and other course work designed to focus the learner’s attention on critical issues, and feedback provided to
allow the learner to further improve their performance. Seminars and small group interactions are important
throughout the programme. Individual supervision is central to the MA dissertation.
Seminars provide guidance and a framework to assist the progressive acquisition of intellectual and practical
skills SIP1-3. Seminars and assessed work provide a context to practice these skills, receive feedback from peers
and staff, and gain confidence and proficiency. For MA students, guidance in the acquisition of SIP4 is ensured
through individual dissertation supervision sessions.
Promotion of specific key skills occurs in different combinations in various modules. Preparation for, participation in,
and feedback from, seminars provide a context for developing capacities for oral communication (SK1 oral),
independent working (SK2), and self-directed learning (SK3). Preparation of, and feedback from, written
assignments provide a context for developing skills of written communication (SK1 written), independent working
(SK2), originality in problem solving and decision making in the face of incomplete information (SK3), and self2
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directed learning (SK4). Explicit guidance on essay writing (SK1 written) is provided during induction sessions. All
modules require students to display their capacities to undertake self-directed learning (SK4), with the MA
dissertation extending this capacity to the fullest extent.
Opportunities to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes are provided through the following
assessment methods:
Knowledge and understanding (K1-5) are assessed in a variety of methods appropriate to the specific material. All
modules involve essays; some require the preparation of short written forms, oral presentations and group exercises.
Formative assessment is provided in seminars, and structured feedback is provided on all written forms of
assessment for which marks are awarded. For MA students, K6 is assessed through the dissertation.
Assessment of intellectual and practical skills (SIP1-3) is closely linked to that of knowledge and understanding.
Cover sheets returned after graded written and oral work provide feedback on a range of qualities related to SIP1
and 2. For MA students, feedback on SIP4 is provided by dissertation supervisors. Assessment of key skills is
integrated with the evaluation of course work at all levels of the programme. SK1 to SK3 are assessed through the
successful and timely completion of oral and written course work. SK4 is not assessed independently, but
demonstrated by student attainment on the programme, especially in the preparation of the dissertation.
19. Reference points
The learning outcomes have been developed to reflect the following points of reference:
Internal:

University of Sheffield Mission Statement

University Learning and Teaching Strategy

Departmental research interests
External:

Quality Assurance Agency Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
20. Programme structure and regulations
The curriculum enables students to develop both systematic knowledge of international political economy and more
advanced and detailed engagement with specific topics. ‘Theories and Issues in International Political Economy’
provides the compulsory core of the programme. Substantial choice from a wide range of relevant modules enables
students (in consultation with staff) to devise a course of study tailored to their individual needs and interests. All
Masters students must successfully complete the dissertation on a specialist topic related to international political
economy.
The essential characteristics of this programme are the same, whether students take this programme on a full-time or
part-time basis. Part-time students take the same module load spread over two years of study.
Detailed information about the structure of programmes, regulations concerning assessment and progression and
descriptions of individual modules are published in the University Calendar available on-line at
http://www.shef.ac.uk/govern/calendar/regs.html.
21. Student development over the course of study
The curriculum is designed to allow students progressively to achieve the specified learning outcomes. The
compulsory core module is completed during the first semester of study, and this provides a conceptual, theoretical
and empirical foundation for further study in the second semester. The four taught modules provide MA students
with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to undertake the dissertation, which constitutes the last phase
of study. Advice is available to help students choose coherent programmes of individual study. The summer MA
Exam Board reviews student performance in relation to progression to the dissertation component of the MA degree.
22. Criteria for admission to the programme
Detailed information regarding admission to the programme is available at http://www.shef.ac.uk/prospective/
23. Additional information
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This specification represents a concise statement about the main features of the programme and should be
considered alongside other sources of information provided by the teaching department(s) and the University. In
addition to programme specific information, further information about studying at The University of Sheffield can be
accessed via our Student Services web site at http://www.shef.ac.uk/ssid.
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