LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Programme Specification
BA [Hons] Politics with a Minor subject
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 full advantage is
taken of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed
information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and
assessment methods of each module can be found in Module Specifications
and other programme documentation and online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/
The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed by the University
and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Awarding body/institution;
Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if
different);
Details of accreditation by a
professional/statutory body;
Name of the final award;
BA [Honours]
Programme title;
UCAS code;
Politics with a Minor subject
L200
Date at which the programme
specification was written or
revised.
June 2010
1. Aims of the programme:

To provide teaching that is informed and invigorated by the research
and scholarship of academic staff

To deliver a curriculum that enables students to understand the nature
and significance of Politics

To enable students to learn about the key concepts and analytical
methods of Political Science

To enable students to address key issues in political science, including
power, conflict and collective political behaviour
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
To provide students with the opportunity to study Politics in a
multidisciplinary context, by providing a range of minor subject areas
from the disciplines of the humanities, management science, modern
languages and the social sciences

To enable students to develop an in-depth knowledge and
understanding of issues in politics through specialist study and guided
research

To create a supportive environment in which the academic
development and career opportunities of students are enhanced

To foster the acquisition of key transferable skills including analysis of
opinion, argument and fact; evaluation of evidence and hypothesis;
synthesis of debate; appropriate use of communication and information
technology; and clear communication
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and
internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:





University Learning and Teaching Strategy
QAA Benchmarking statement for Politics and International
Relations
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
Departmental Learning and Teaching policies
The research interests and specialisms of the teaching staff
and their professional involvement in the discipline
3.
Intended Learning Outcomes
3.1
Knowledge and Understanding:
On successful completion of this programme, students will demonstrate
familiarity with the traditional concerns of politics – the study of power,
decision-making, and collective actions – through the examination of
European and international political systems, political theory and postwar history. The programme provides a framework for developing skills
of political analysis, communication, and conceptual thought.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes
to be achieved and demonstrated:
Student learning is supported by a range of foundational modules in
part A, including a skills training module; a variety of advanced study
modules in part B, including training in methods and research design
and the opportunity to develop specialist knowledge at part C.
Assessment burdens are appropriately balanced and increase with
each level of attainment.
3.2
Skills and other attributes:
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a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able
to demonstrate:
 In-depth knowledge and understanding of selected concepts
and methods involved in the academic discipline of political
science, a detailed knowledge and understanding of European
and international politics framed in terms of political theory,
national political systems, international relations and the
organisation of the European Union;
an ability to undertake independent research under supervision;
 a good grounding in an associated subject or subjects drawn
from the disciplines of the humanities, management science,
modern language and the social sciences as relevant.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes
to be achieved and demonstrated:
The Department will provide teaching informed and invigorated by the
research and scholarship of academic staff; deliver a curriculum that
enables students to understand the nature and significance of politics,
learn about the key concepts and analytical methods of political
science and assess key issues of political science including power,
conflict and collective political behaviour; provide students will an
opportunity to study politics a multidisciplinary context, providing a
range of minor subject areas from the disciplines of the humanities,
management science, modern languages and the social sciences; and
provide opportunities for specialist study and guided research.
Students will be offered a lectures, seminars and one-to-one tuition in
office hours and supervision. Assessment is typically by means of
examination and/or coursework, supplemented by a range of
developmental self-test facilities.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should have
acquired key transferable skills including the analysis of opinion,
argument and fact; evaluation of evidence and hypothesis; synthesis of
debate; appropriate use of communication and information technology
and clear communication
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes
to be achieved and demonstrated:
The Department offers progressive training in parts A and B in study
and research skills, leading to the dissertation in part C. Students also
benefit from embedded library training at all levels of the programme,
to improve and develop research competence. Essay writing – both in
coursework and examination – is the principle means of practical skill
assessment.
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c. Key/transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should have
developed skills in the areas of communications, presentations, selforganisation, working with others and time-management; experience of
using communication technologies for the retrieval and presentation of
information.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes
to be achieved and demonstrated:
Oral presentation skills are assessed at all levels of the programme.
Tutorial teaching in the final year offers further opportunities for the
development of workshop and presentation skills. Group work is
embedded in part A assessment for all students.
4.
Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits
and awards:
Full details can be found in the Programme Regulations at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/lps/progreg/index.htm
5.
Criteria for admission to the programme:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/prospectus/ug/courses/dept/eu/pwm/index.htm
6.
Information about assessment regulations:
To gain credit on a module, students must achieve a 40% combined
examination/coursework mark. Part A does not count towards final degree
assessment. In order to progress from Part A to Part B, and from part B to
Part C, students must, each year, achieve at least 100 credits and obtain a
minimum of 30% in the remaining module[s]. Marks gained at Parts B and C
contribute to the final degree assessment in the proportion 40:60. The
boundaries for first, upper second, lower second, and third class honours are
70%, 60%, 50% and 40% respectively. Failure to achieve the required credits
in any one year means the student is allowed to re-take appropriate modules
once only during the Special Assessment Period; these are then individually
capped at 40% for computing the overall degree mark.
7.
What makes the programme distinctive:
This programme addresses the traditional concerns of politics - the study of
power, decision-making and collective actions - through the examination of
European and international political systems, political theory and post-war
history. It provides a framework for developing skills of political analysis,
communication and conceptual thought. The programme provides students
with an opportunity to acquire or develop foreign language skills and/or the
possibility of studying abroad in an English-language European partner
institution. It enables students to combine the study of European politics with
a related discipline in the humanities, social science or management. An
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overview is accessible at
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/prospectus/ug/courses/dept/eu/pwm/index.htm
8.
Particular support for learning:
Details of University learning support services can be found at
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/templateshop/notes/lps/index.htm
9.
Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards
of learning:
Details can be found at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/templateshop/notes/lps/
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