Programme Specification for International Politics BA
1. Programme title
International Politics
2. Awarding institution
Middlesex University
3. Teaching institution
Middlesex University
4. Programme accredited by
N/A
5. Final qualification
BA (Honours)
6. Academic year
2011/12
7. Language of study
English
8. Mode of study
Full-time, Part-time
9. Criteria for admission to the Programme
See the Undergraduate prospectus for general entry requirements for degree. Offers
normally will be made on 240 Tariff points. . International students for whom English is
not a first language should normally have one of the following: IETS at 6.0; Cambridge
Advanced Proficiency at grade C.
We welcome applications from people over the age of 21, with or without formal
qualifications.
10. Aims of the programme
The programme aims to:
 provide students with a solid grounding in the key themes and concepts of
international politics which will aid them in their future careers;
 enhance research skills and develop specialist, in-depth understanding of a topic of
the student's particular interest.
 provide students with and innovative curricula through a continual process of
reviewing and updating syllabi in line with political developments and staff research;
 to give students access to a broad intellectual environment through the provision of
innovative teaching and extra-curricular events;
 to provide the opportunity for experiential learning and career development through
direct participation in political life through work placements and other forms of
practical engagement with the political world.
11. Programme outcomes
A. Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this programme the
successful student will have knowledge
and understanding of :
1. International political processes and
institutions
2. Different political systems across the
world.
3. Political ideas, concepts and practices.
Teaching/learning methods
Students gain knowledge and
understanding through lectures, seminars
and tutorials.
These are specified in the module
handbooks
Assessment
Students’ knowledge and understanding is
assessed summatively by a variety of
methods, such as exams, essays and
critical reviews. Knowledge and
understanding is also formatively assessed
by methods including oral presentations
and short quizzes.
Formal examinations and a range of
coursework submissions allow students to
demonstrate their understanding of theory
and practice and their ability to sustain a
coherent and reasoned argument.
B. Cognitive (thinking) skills
On completion of this programme the
successful student will have:
1. a deep understanding of the political
institutions and processes that will
shape the student’s future life and
career.
2. an awareness of the nature and
significance of politics and policy
making processes in society.
3. the critical-thinking skills necessary to
explore further areas of particular
interest within the subject, be that
through continued study or through
more general engagement with the
issues and debates of the day.
C. Practical skills
On completion of the programme the
successful student will have:
1. effective writing skills
2. oral communication skills
3. The ability to construct coherent
arguments;
4. The ability to search for, analyze and
synthesize different types of
information;
5. an appreciation of rival perspectives on
issues
Teaching/learning methods
Students learn cognitive skills through
lectures, seminars, workshops, directed
readings and tutorials.
Assessment
Students’ cognitive skills are assessed by
a variety of methods. Skills 1 & 2 are
assessed formatively and summatively in
the coursework for the Core modules. Skill
3 is best assessed in the dissertation and
in the optional specialist modules.
Teaching/learning methods
Students learn practical skills progressively
throughout the programme. All of these
skills are developed across the modules.
Skills 4 is then further developed in the
specific research methods module in Year
2. All skills 1-5 are then fully utilised in the
work towards a dissertation where ability to
apply knowledge and undertake fieldwork
is best demonstrated.
Assessment
Skills 1-3 are assessed in all core
.
D. Graduate Skills
On completion of this programme the
successful student will be able to:
1. organize their own timetable of
work and meet delivery deadlines;
2. work effectively in groups, collaborating
with others to achieve common goals;
3. maximize their autonomy in their
acquisition of skills, competencies and
experiences.
4. employ a wide range of IT skills
modules. Skills 4 – 5 are assessed in most
modules and best demonstrated by the
dissertation.
Teaching/learning methods
Students acquire transferable key
(graduate) skills through lectures, seminars
and tutorials. Many of these skills are
introduced at level one through the
programme of study designed for the
student. Skills are integrated into the
curriculum of the core POI modules
allowing development throughout the 3
years of study. In the final year students
have the opportunity to further develop
these skills via the work the dissertation.
Assessment
Graduate skills are assessed by a variety
of methods. All modules seek to develop
written communication skills and many
also allow students to demonstrate oral
presentation skills. Graduate skills are
also demonstrated through the
dissertation/proposition and work
placement.
12. Programme structure
12. 1 Overall structure of the programme
The International Politics programme features a range of modules covering International
Relations, Comparative politics, Area Studies and Political Theory. For full information
on the range of modules offered please see the Programme Handbook.
To gain the BA (Honours) degree students must study 360 credits (12 modules). In full
time study this will mean studying 120 credits at Level 1 in Year One, (4 modules), 120
credits (4 modules) at Level 2 or 3 in Year Two and then 120 credits (4 modules) at
Level 3 in Year Three.
The First Year consists of four compulsory modules: Introduction to Politics, The
Construction of the Third World, Social Science and Citizenship and contemporary
Society. These four modules need to be passed in order to progress to Years Two and
Three. A resit opportunity is offered if any modules are failed first time around. The
qualification obtained on the programme will then be determined by the student’s
performance in the eight modules taken in Years Two and Three (longer for part-time
students).
Years Two and Three consist of a mix of compulsory and optional modules. Three
compulsory modules: Comparative Politics, International Political Theory and Social
Science Research Skills are to be studied in Year 2 alongside one optional module. In
Year Three two compulsory modules are to be studied: Critical Issues in Geopolitics and
the Dissertation, and two further optional modules. The full range of optional modules
are displayed in the Programme Handbook.
12.2 Levels and modules. This section should contain a more detailed description
level-by-level of the programme structure, modules and credits. All modules should
be categorised as compulsory or optional.
Level 1
OPTIONAL
PROGRESSION
REQUIREMENTS
N/A
Must pass all 4
COMPULSORY
OPTIONAL
PROGRESSION
REQUIREMENTS
Students must take all of
the following:
POI 2201
POI 2350
DEV2111
Students must also choose
one from the following:
POI 3353, POI 3603, IPS
3001.
Must pass all 4
OPTIONAL
PROGRESSION
REQUIREMENTS
COMPULSORY
Students must take all of
the following:
POI 1001
DEV 1001
SPL 1510
SPL 1608
Level 2
Level 3
COMPULSORY
Students must take all of
the following:
POI 3607
DEV3330
Students must also choose
two from the following:
POI 3353, POI 3603, SPL
3570, DEV 3050, LAW
3182, IPS 3001.
12.3 Non-compensatable modules
Module level
Module code
1
POI 1001
2.
POI 2201, POI 2350.
3
POI 3607,DEV 3330.
13. Curriculum map
See attached
14. Information about assessment regulations
Please see University Regulations
Must pass all
15. Placement opportunities, requirements and support (if applicable)
The Internship Module IPS 3001 offers the opportunity to take a work placement in a
political environment. Students can work with MPs, MEPs, Political Parties, Pressure
Groups or International Institutions on a part-time basis whilst continuing their studies.
Students are assessed academically on their work experience. Placements are
organised and supported by the Placements Office in liaison with the POI curriculum
group.
16. Future careers (if applicable)
Politics, Policy, NGOs, Journalism, Research, Lobbying & PR. Careers advice built into
programme.
17. Particular support for learning (if applicable)
Students are encouraged to take full advantage of the learning support schemes and
facilities at Campus and University levels, particularly the English Language and
Learning Services and the Disability Support Services, and services available form the
Student Union.
18. JACS code (or other relevant coding
system)
L240
19. Relevant QAA subject benchmark
group(s)
Political and International Studies
20. Reference points
QAA subject benchmark statements for Politics and International Relations
University Learning and Teaching policies and strategy
QAA Subject Review Report Q84/2001
Student, Staff, External Examiner and Graduates feedback and comments
Middlesex University Rules and Regulations
New Learning Framework documentation
Other comparable undergraduate programmes.
21. Other information
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 if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are
provided. More detailed information can be found in the student programme
handbook and the University Regulations.