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Programme Specification for the BSc in Sociology and International Politics
For extracts containing the main academic points from this Programme Specification - click here
Admissions
Admission is through the UCAS system and students are normally required to have 280 tariff points, with at least 100 points in Sociology or Politics or History or some other social science subject.
Mature students will be considered on a case-by-case basis, if they have relevant professional experience.
Those for whom English is not their first language should have a TOEFL score of 260 or above, or an IELTS of 6.5 or above, in each component of the test.
Educational Aims
The BSc in Sociology and International Politics is a joint honours degree that aims to enable students to
- Obtain a high quality, challenging education, both in International Politics and in Sociology, that focuses on the extent to which there are global social and political systems, on aspects of contemporary society at the country level and on the relationships between the two levels.
- Understand political globalisation, through the development of transnational and transgovernmental relations, and the way these relations are structured through international organisations.
- Understand the character of sociology as a discipline that is both theoretically informed and evidence based
- Develop a critical awareness of a variety of sociological and political science perspectives and their relevance to other areas of study
- Study an up-to-date curriculum reflecting rapid social and political change in the contemporary world.
- Collect and analyse a range of social or political data through their own research
- Demonstrate an ability to comprehend, interpret and apply a range of materials, including original texts, archive material, data sets, interview materials, to produce coherent, well-structured written work
- Acquire the disciplinary and transferable skills, knowledge, study habits and independence of thought required of graduates in sociology and international politics
- Develop their analytical capacities and the ability to examine and critically assess complex issues and debates.
Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategies
The educational aims are achieved through a combination of lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops and small group classes, supported by a personal tutorial system. Lectures are used to provide commentary on and explanation of key content areas. Small group classes are used to develop understanding by inviting students to raise questions and participate in the debate and by providing guidance for further study.
Students are required to undertake extensive reading and independent study in order to understand the topics covered in lectures and classes and to broaden and deepen their knowledge.
For the third year project, students will receive supervision and the opportunity to develop research methods and writing skills.
Assessment is primarily in the form of coursework (assessed essays and assignments), unseen examinations and the final year project.
Learning Outcomes
These programme outcomes have references to the benchmark statement for the relevant subject. The International Politics references (PIR-B) are taken from Table I of QAA Politics benchmarks. These benchmarks are not numbered. The numbering used below refers to the order of the bullet points, under the appropriate headings. The Sociology benchmarks (S-B) correspond to the numbering of the QAA Sociology benchmarks.
The Politics and International Relations benchmarks do not refer to any Subject Specific Skills and the Sociology benchmarks do not refer to any Transferable Skills. Neither provides any benchmarks on Values and Attitudes.The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas.
Learning Outcomes: Subject Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of this programme, a student will be expected to be able to
- Apply key concepts and theoretical approaches within Sociology and International Politics and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches in a wide range of different contexts (PIR-B1.1 and S-B1.1 key concepts and theoretical approaches).
- Analyse how political actors mobilise support for their positions on global issues (PIR-B1.2 the vocabulary of political debate; political systems and behaviour)
- Analyse the changing role of culture in social life and the diverse ways in which it may be articulated with other social, economic and political relationships (PIR-B1.2 political systems and behaviour; S-B1.3 comparative analysis)
- Analyse the different ways in which global social and political relationships affect, and are affected by, local and global cultural and political differences (PIR-B1.2 political change; S-B1.5 social change).
- Understand the different ways in which patterns of inequality, social diversity, value systems, identity and political conflict, cut across and inter-relate with each other in different social and political situations (PIR-B1.2 political systems and behaviour; S-B1.2 social diversity and inequality; S-B1.5 social change).
- Understand how different theoretical positions in Sociology and International Politics tend to be associated with different substantive concepts, methodological positions, research strategies and research methods (PIR-B1.3 theories, concepts and methods; S-B1.1 key concepts; S-B1.6 research strategies; and S-B1.7 arguments and evidence).
- Evaluate the relation between evidence and theory in a wide range of different contexts (PIR-B1.4 evaluate interpretations; S-B1.7 arguments and evidence).
Learning and teaching methods
Acquisition of knowledge and understanding is achieved through a combination of lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops and small group classes, supported by a personal tutorial system. Learners are encouraged to undertake extensive reading and independent study in order to understand the topics covered in lectures and classes and to broaden and deepen their knowledge of the subject.
Learning Outcomes: Values and Attitudes
On successful completion of this programme, a student will be expected to be able to
- Understand, respect and engage with those who do not share their own political values.
- Produce written materials that indicate in a precise and honest manner what is the authors own work and what is attributable to others.
Learning and teaching methods
Acquisition of these values and attitudes is achieved through a combination of lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops and small group classes, supported by a personal tutorial system. In particular, there will be emphasis, in all coursework, on the inadmissibility of plagiarism.
Assessment Methods
The first learning outcome will not be directly assessed, but will arise indirectly in assessment of the ability to understand the different values of different political actors. The second will be evident in the award of marks of zero for essays or projects that show evidence of significant plagiarism, (but not for inadequate referencing).
Learning Outcomes: Cognitive/Intellectual Skills
On successful completion of this programme, a student will be expected to be able to
- Understand current issues in political and social life and evaluate different approaches to them (PIR-B2.1 identify issues; PIR-B2.2 analyse problems; S-B2.1 assess explanations).
- Analyse and interpret critically different kinds of research evidence (PIR-B2.1 deploy evidence; S-B2.3 evaluate evidence).
- Challenge received explanations of topics and controversies in social and political life (PIR-B2.3 exercise critical judgement; S-B2.1 assess explanations, S-B2.3 evaluate evidence; PIR-B2.3 and S-B2.4 develop reasoned argument)
- Gather, retrieve and synthesise information from a number of different sources in order to understand the complexities of issues in social and political life (PIR-B2.1 and S-B2.2 collect information).
- Make reasoned judgements (PIR-B2.3 and S-B2.4 develop reasoned argument).
Learning and teaching methods
Cognitive skills are promoted via lectures, interactive sessions, tutor led seminars, student presentations, group discussion in small classes, tutorials, workshops and supervision during the final year project. Each course involves discussion of key issues, practice in applying and evaluating concepts and perspectives, both orally and in writing, analysis and interpretation of material and feedback on work produced
Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific Skills
On successful completion of this programme, a student will be expected to be able to
- Distinguish empirical, normative and explanatory statements from each other, in writing on and discussion of international politics
- Define abstract concepts, used in the analysis of international politics, and utilise them with rigour and consistency.
- Read political documents and use other sources of information, to interpret the intentions of political actors, the targets of their actions and the possible responses they will receive.
- Place individual political events in the wider context of processes of political change.
- Understand and utilise, at a basic level, a range of research methods such as discourse analysis, participant observation, questionnaires and interviews (S-B3.3 use different methods; S-B3.4 investigate sociological questions).
- Present, analyse and criticise research findings in a wide variety of different contexts (S-B3.2 report empirical findings).
- Gather appropriate information to answer Sociological questions (S-B3.1 understand sociological questions; S-B3.3 use different methods; S-B3.4 investigate sociological questions).
- Undertake and present sociological research in a preliminary way (S-B3.5 identify ethical issues in research; S-B 3.6 undertake scholarly work).
Learning and teaching methods
Practical skills are promoted through practical work in workshops, the data analysis module and the final year project.
Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills
On successful completion of this programme, a student will be expected to be able to
- Read and describe accurately complex written materials.
- Communicate clearly in writing and in presentations. (PIR-B3.1 communicate effectively)
- Study and reflect on ideas independently. (PIR-B3.3 work independently)
- Assess the value and relevance of the ideas of others. Evaluate complex arguments and the extent of their factual support. (PIR-B3.4 collaborate with others)
- Use and apply numerical and quantitative skills.
- Use the Internet to obtain information (PIR-B3.2 use IT)
Learning and teaching methods
General transferable skills are developed in all modules. All modules require assessed coursework which is used for formative assessment and feedback as well as for summative assessment. Final year projects promote independent study, deepen student learning and develop skills of reflection, interpretation, information collection as well as research and writing skills.
Programme Structure
In each year, students must gain 120 credits to pass the year.
The First Year introduces the key topics for the degree, with core modules in International Politics and in Sociology. There are no electives. The disciplines are of equal weight, with each contributing 60 credits. International Politics is provided as distinct 15-credit modules, each in a single term, so that the modules can also be readily available for visiting Occasional Students. Sociology is provided as 30-credit modules, across two terms. The two disciplines are timetabled, so that they are of equal weight in each term.
The Second Year continues, in a highly-structured manner, with International Politics being divided equally between core modules and elective modules, while Sociology consists solely of core modules. Each discipline contributes 60 credits. However, for the purposes of this degree, SG2008 Sociology of Europe may be counted as an International Politics module. Some of the International Politics modules are provided as 15-credit modules, so that they can also be readily available for visiting Occasional Students. The 15-credit modules will be timetabled in the different terms, in such a manner as to ensure that the workload will be of equal weight in each term.
The Third Year allows the students a wide range of choice across a variety of elective modules in Sociology and in International Politics. The only core module is the Project, which may be on a topic from either discipline. The student is free to choose either a 60-60 or a 30-90 credit balance between the disciplines.
Part One
Students are required to take the following core modules, totalling 120 credits.
IP1001 and IP1005 are in the First term, while IP1004 and IP1006 are in the Second term. SG1001 and SG1002 each cover both terms.
Code Title Credits Compensation permissible IP1001 Theories of Global Politics (1) - Term 1 15 Not permitted IP1004 Global Political Issues in the Twenty-First Century - Term 2 15 Not permitted IP1005 International Organisations in Global Politics (1) - Term 1 15 Not permitted IP1006 International Organisations in Global Politics (2) - Term 2 15 Not permitted SG1001 Introduction to Sociology 30 Not permitted SG1002 Sociology Workshop 30 Not permitted Requirements for progression to the Second Year
To pass Part I, the students must have acquired 120 credits, in the core modules specified above. No compensation is possible for any of the modules, but the standard university regulations permitting resits apply.
Part Two
Students are required to take the following core modules, totalling 90 credits:
Code Title Credits Compensation permissible IP2001 Analysis of Issues in Global Politics (1) - Term 1 15 Not permitted IP2002 Analysis of Issues in Global Politics (2) - Term 2 15 Not permitted SG2001 Theories and Research Strategies in Contemporary Sociology 30 Not permitted SG2002 Understanding Social Change 30 Not permitted Students may select Elective modules from the following list, totalling 30 credits:
International Politics Electives
Students should note that this list represents our current plans. The International Politics options actually available will depend upon the two new staff appointed in 2005-2006.
Code Title Credits Compensation permissible IP2003 International Organisations in Global Politics (3) - Term 1 15 Not permitted IP2004 International Organisations in Global Politics (4) - Term 2 15 Not permitted IP2005 Religions in Global Politics 30 Not permitted IP2006 The Middle East in Global Politics 30 Not permitted IP2007 Foreign Policy Analysis 30 Not permitted SG2008 Sociology of Europe 30 Not permitted IP2009 Exceptionalism and the USA 30 Not permitted IP2001 and IP2003 are in the First term, while IP2002 and IP2004 are in the Second term. The core modules, SG2001 and SG2002, and the electives, IP2005, IP2006, IP2007 and SG2008, each cover both terms. Thus, whatever choices the student makes, the workload will be the same for each term.
Requirements for progression to the Third Year
To pass Part II, the students must have acquired 90 credits in the core modules, plus 30 credits from the list of Electives, specified above. No compensation is possible for any of the modules, but the standard university regulations permitting resits apply.
Part Three
Students are required to take one of the following two elective modules, totalling 30 credits:
Code Title Credits Compensation permissible SG3007 Sociology Project Workshop 30 Not permitted IP3001 International Politics Project Workshop 30 Not permitted Students may select Elective modules from the following lists, totalling 90 credits.
At least 30 credits must be from the Sociology list and at least 30 credits must be from the International Politics list.Sociology Electives
Code Title Credits Compensation permissible SG3001 Globalisation, Social Difference and Human Rights 30 Not permitted SG3002 Culture, Community and Identity 30 Not permitted SG3003 World Media Industry 30 Not permitted SG3004 Social and Environmental Change 30 Not permitted SG3006 Race, Racism and Social Theory 30 Not permitted SG3008 Migration, Refugees and Globalisation 30 Not permitted SG3009 The Information Society 30 Not permitted SG3011 Crime, Policing and the Cosmopolitan City 30 Not permitted SG3012 Crime in a Global Perspective 30 Not permitted SG3013 Gender and Society 30 Not permitted SG3015 Sociology of Sexualities 30 Not permitted International Politics Electives
Students should note that this list represents our current plans. The International Politics options, with an IP code, actually available will depend upon the two new staff appointed in 2005-2006 and two further new staff in 2006-2007. The other options are currently available.
Code Title Credits Compensation permissible IP3002 Global Political Systems 30 Not permitted IP3003 Global Environmental Politics 30 Not permitted IP3004 The Global Politics of Development 30 Not permitted IP3005 International Trade and International Finance 30 Not permitted IP3006 Human Rights in Global Politics 30 Not permitted IP3007 The Transnational Women's Movement 30 Not permitted IP3008 The Global Politics of Population Change 30 Not permitted Other Electives
Code Title Credits Compensation permissible LA3105
or 3205
or 3305European Business Culture - France or
European Business Culture - Germany or
European Business Culture - Spain30 Not permitted Requirements for award of a degree
To pass Part III, the students must have acquired 30 credits for the Project, plus 90 credits from the Electives, as specified above.
No compensation is possible for any Part III modules, but the standard university regulations permitting resits apply. Alternatively, when a student has passed 90 credits, but failed one module, the Assessment Board may decide, as permitted under the University Assessment Regulations, to award an Ordinary Degree.
Programme Assessment Regulations
Periods of Registration
The period of registration for the award of a Bachelor's degree with Hons, within the programme route, is subject to a minimum of three years and a maximum of six years
Award of a BSc Degree in Sociology and International Politics
To qualify for the Honours Degree, the student must satisfy the pass requirements for Parts I, II and III. The Overall Aggregate Mark for the Honours Degree shall be calculated using the overall percentage marks achieved at the end of Parts I, II and III, in the ratio 10:30:60 respectively.
The minimum percentage in the Overall Aggregate Mark for recommendation for the award of Honours Classification shall normally be
Class I Minimum 70% Class II Upper Division Minimum 60% Class II Lower Division Minimum 50% Class III Minimum 40% A candidate for an Honours Degree who does not reach the standard required for Class III may, at the discretion of the Assessment Board, be recommended for the award of an Ordinary Degree, even though he or she may not have satisfied the requirements to pass Part III. The minimum percentage in the Overall Aggregate for recommendation for the award shall normally be 40%.
Compensation between Modules at First Attempt
Where a student fails up to 30 credits, at any Part, at a first valid attempt, the Assessment Board may consider the application of compensation, provided that
(a) modules have been taken in a single valid attempt, including where resits have taken place; this means that students must have taken all assessments associated with a Part within the normal specified time for that Part; and
(b) compensation is permissible for the module(s) in question, as set out in this Programme Scheme.
A student who receives a compensated pass in a module shall be awarded the credit for the module. The original component marks shall be retained in the record of marks and the greater of the original module mark and the minimum pass mark for the module shall be used for the purpose of calculation towards the Overall Aggregate for the degree.
Resit After First Attempt
Where compensation is not permissible and there has been a first valid attempt, resit provisions will apply to all failed modules, provided that
(a) the method and date of resit, shall be prescribed by the Assessment Board in accordance with the university regulations;
(b) a module may be resat only once; and
(c) a student who does not satisfy his or her resit by the date specified shall not progress to the next Part and the Assessment Board shall make a recommendation to Senate that they withdraw.
The Assessment Board may, at its discretion, permit a student to resit during the course of the following year, with or without attendance.
A student who successfully completes a resit shall be awarded the credit for that module or modules and their original mark for the purposes of calculation towards the award, except where the overall aggregate for the Part is below 40% in which case, provided all requirements to pass the Part have been met, the aggregate for the Part shall be deemed to be 40% for the purpose of calculation of the award.
Resit Provisions
If the Assessment Board for the Part requires that a resit be conducted, the failed assessment component (ie that assessment component for which a mark of less than the module pass mark is achieved) should be resat.
Fail Withdraw
Where a student fails to meet the requirements for a particular Part and is not eligible for the award of a lower level qualification, the Assessment Board shall require the student to withdraw from the Programme.
Supplementary Information
School Information
The School of Social Sciences, comprising the Departments of Economics, Psychology and Sociology offers a dynamic and challenging academic environment for undergraduate and postgraduate study, combining traditional social science disciplines with distinctive applications in professionally relevant fields. With an established reputation for high-quality teaching and research, the School has a lively and diverse population of over 1000 students, including around 650 undergraduates in Economics, Psychology and Sociology and 400 postgraduate students.
Induction Programme
There is a full programme of induction activities in the first week of the first term offered by the University, including familiarisation tours and meetings with different support areas. The School offers an induction day with talks from the School and Departments. All relevant information is contained in the Programme Handbook which students receive on induction.
Personal Tutor Arrangements
Each student is allocated a member of staff as a Personal Tutor. In principle, this will be somebody who teaches one of their modules. Students may express a preference for somebody else and this will be respected, where there appears to be good reason. The role of the Personal Tutor is to assist with personal and academic problems, monitor progress, help develop learning skills and point students in the direction of more specialised services within the University.
Additional Sources of support for students
- Access to University learning support services such as Student Counsellors, the Open Learning Centre (for help with English, foreign languages, study skills and so on) the Career Development Centre and the Disability Officer.
- Student e-mail
- Computing Facilities
- High quality teaching in which all staff are experiences senior researchers and/or senior managers in all key teaching areas.
- Exam preparation classes
Student feedback and representation arrangements
- Student ratings of individual modules and lecturers
- Staff Student Liaison Committee
- Student Representatives on the Board of Studies and Teaching and Learning Committee
- Student Representatives on the School Board
- Periodic surveys of students undertaken by the Department and the University
- Informal student feedback through personal tutorials system
- Informal student feedback through general informal contact between the Programme Director, staff and students
Library and study skills package
- A recently modernised and updated library.
- A subject-specific library induction session provided by specialist library staff together with a staff guided library tour.
- Study skills module.
- University Open Learning Centre.
- English language support.
Programme Management Structure
On a day-to-day basis, all liaison on matters of academic policy is through the Programme Director. Submission and return of coursework, registration of module choices and all other routine questions are handled by the Undergraduate Programme Administrator. Once a term there is a formal meeting of a Staff-Student Liaison Committee, with representatives from the programme.
- Programme Director for 2005-2006, Professor Peter Willetts
- Undergraduate Programme Administrator for 2005-2006, Nerida Booth
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Centre for International Politics, School of Social Science, City University, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB.
Page maintained by Peter Willetts
Page produced on 8 August 2005
Updated on 8 August 2005