2022-23 BA Politics with International Relations Programme Design Document

	A	B	C	F	G	I	K	L	M	N	O	P	Q	R	S	T	U	V	W	X	Y	Z	AA	AB	AC	AD	AE	AF	AG	AH	AI	AJ	AK	AL	AM	AN
1	Programme Information & PLOs
2	This document forms part of the Programme Design Document and is for use in the roll-out of the York Pedagogy to design and capture new programme statement of purpose (for applicants to the programme), programme learning outcomes, programme map and enhancement plan. Please provide information required on all three tabs of this document.
3	Title of the new programme – including any year abroad/ in industry variants
4	BA in Politics with International Relations (with optional 3+1 Study Abroad)
5	Level of qualification
6	Please select:					Level 6
7	Please indicate if the programme is offered with any year abroad / in industry variants																					Year in Industry Please select Y								No
8																						Year Abroad Please select Y								Yes
9	Department(s): Where more than one department is involved, indicate the lead department
10	Lead Department			Politics
11	Other contributing Departments:			n/a
12	Programme leadership and programme team
13	Please name the programme leader and any key members of staff responsible for designing, maintaining and overseeing the programme.
14	Dan Keith (Chair of Board of Studies); Nicole Lindstrom (Deputy Head of Department)
15	Particular information that the UTC working group should be aware of when considering the programme documentation (e.g. challenges faced, status of the implementation of the pedagogy, need to incorporate PSRB or employer expectations)
16	The Department has continued to implement the York Pedagogy through several changes (outlined in the Enhancement Plan submitted previously). On reviewing the programme and implementing the PLOs, we saw the need to expand and restructure research methods provision and to make changes in summative assessment. Actions already taken include the introduction of a new What is Politics? module at Stage 1. In this module we aim to place increased emphasis on building research, communication, presentation and digital literacy skills. To ensure the progressive development of these skills as students move through Stages 2 and 3 we are making changes to other core modules in the medium term.
17	Who has been involved in producing the programme map and enhancement plan? (please include confirmation of the extent to which colleagues from the programme team /BoS have been involved; wheather student views have yet been incorporated, and also any external input, such as employer liaison board)
18	The programme map was completed by individual module leaders following examples and advice provided by the programme team. The Enhancement Plan was witten by the programme team and an away-day was scheduled in September 2016 to discuss the plan and to explore the medium term changes. The documents have been approved by the Department's Board of Studies.
19	Purpose and learning outcomes of the programme
20	Statement of purpose for applicants to the programme Please express succinctly the overall aims of the programme as an applicant facing statement for a prospectus or website. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
21	It is increasingly impossible to separate domestic politics from global dynamics. In this exciting degree course you’ll explore how decisions at the national and local level are being shaped by international issues such as conflict, pandemics, economic inequality and climate change. You will also study how decisions in our day-to-day lives are increasingly interconnected at the global level. You’ll delve deep into the rapidly-changing political landscape to understand how power shifts at the international level affect our immediate surroundings. You’ll question the meaning of borders; investigate the effects of Brexit, development policies and the refugee crisis; and see how emerging powers like China and India increasingly shape world politics. Our research-led approach, and in particular the breadth and depth of option modules at the research frontier, make this degree remarkable. We pride ourselves on the world-leading quality of our teaching. You will be working alongside leading international experts engaged in cutting-edge research in areas such as international security, British and EU politics, post-war reconstruction, elections, failed states and migration. In your first year, you will gain a broad understanding of the core theoretical and practical issues in politics and international relations. In subsequent years, you can tailor your degree to your own interests, choosing from a wide breadth of optional modules. You also have the opportunity of completing a placement of up to a year in a political, non-governmental or business organisation, to then return and complete the final (Stage 3) year at York, as part of a four-year degree. You will have the opportunity to decide if you want to take a placement option during your first year. Whichever degree options you take, you’ll gain the knowledge and the practical skills to play your part in tackling some of the world’s most important problems. You will also be prepared for a variety of different careers, including government, the civil service, research and policy-making, international organisations and NGOs, business and the financial sector. We foster and promote values of tolerance, sustainability and inclusion. We will help you fulfil your potential to become a global citizen.
22	Programme Learning Outcomes Please provide six to eight statements of what a graduate of the programme can be expected to do. Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme. They should also be outcomes for which progressive achievement through the course of the programme can be articulated, and which will therefore be reflected in the design of the whole programme.
23	PLO		On successful completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
24	1		Understand the origins, evolution and contemporary dynamics of politics with an in-depth engagement with its international dimensions.
25	2		Apply theories, concepts and methods to aspects of politics and international relations, using critical reasoning and (where appropriate) empirical testing to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.
26	3		Research independently by: conceiving research questions; explaining the use of theories and concepts; selecting and applying appropriate tools to gather and interpret data; and justifying conclusions.
27	4		Achieve goals by demonstrating initiative, self-organization, and time management in individual or collaborative work.
28	5		Communicate effectively and fluently, translating advanced ideas through appropriate media and a range of formats.
29	6		Demonstrate inter-cultural awareness and a reflective approach to differing points of view in light of the values of tolerance and inclusivity.
30	Programme Learning Outcome for year in industry (where applicable) For programmes which lead to the title ‘with a Year in Industry’ – typically involving an additional year – please provide either a) amended versions of some (at least one, but not necessarily all) of the standard PLOs listed above, showing how these are changed and enhanced by the additional year in industry b) an additional PLO, if and only if it is not possible to capture a key ability developed by the year in industry by alteration of the standard PLOs.
31	n/a
32	Programme Learning Outcome for year abroad programmes (where applicable) For programmes which lead to the title ‘with a Year Abroad’ – typically involving an additional year – please provide either a) amended versions of some (at least one, but not necessarily all) of the standard PLOs listed above, showing how these are changed and enhanced by the additional year abroad or b) an additional PLO, if and only if it is not possible to capture a key ability developed by the year abroad by alteration of the standard PLOs.
33	To demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of non-British traditions of political science and an understanding of non-British cultures; some students will demonstrate increased fluency in a foreign language in both speaking and writing.
34	Explanation of the choice of Programme Learning Outcomes Please explain your rationale for choosing these PLOs in a statement that can be used for students (such as in a student handbook). Please include brief reference to:
35	i) Why the PLOs are considered ambitious or stretching?
36	Our PLOs allow us to provide a grounding in the theory and practice of the discipline with the development of strong employability skills, including critical thinking, research, interpersonal and communication skills. In particular, our PLOs provide a great deal of room for students to apply their learning to real world examples (PLO2) to promote a deep approach to learning and to develop research skills as students investigate particular examples and case studies (PLO3) . We pride ourselves on the quality of our teaching and the promotion of values of global citizenship, tolerance, sustainability and inclusion (PLO6).
37	ii) The ways in which these outcomes are distinctive or particularly advantageous to the student:
38	The PLOs enable students to benefit from learning about our cutting-edge research and our teaching strengths in areas such as political philosophy and the history of political thought, alongside contemporary areas of politics such as immigration, democracy, human rights, and the environment. The programme is made up of a diverse range of exciting core and optional modules, giving students the opportunity to tailor their course to their individual interests. Students can gain further employability skills through a year's work placement or can experience an alternative political culture first-hand through our study abroad programme.
39	iii) How the programme learning outcomes develop students’ digital literacy and will make appropriate use of technology-enhanced learning (such as lecture recordings, online resources, simulations, online assessment, ‘flipped classrooms’ etc)?
40	PLO 5 has been introduced to promote the progressive development of student's digital literacy through the programme. The new What is Politics? module makes use of student blogs to promote collaborative work and online feedback. The Department is trialing Lecture Capture in core modules and our Political Enquiry and Dissertation modules now make use of self-lecture capture. Through integrating these changes in our core modules we aim to provide a basis for their wider use throughout the programme. The Enhancement Plan sets out in detail how our core modules are being developed to build in additional opportunites for the use of technology-enhanced learning. In particular we are exploring opportunities to build on our trial of a simulation exercise based on preparation activities run through the VLE.
41	iv) How the PLOs support and enhance the students’ employability (for example, opportunities for students to apply their learning in a real world setting)? The programme's employablity objectives should be informed by the University's Employability Strategy:
42	Students will be trained how to think, act, engage, reflect and communicate as a researcher in Politics and International Relations. As well as developing subject-specific knowledge, a Politics degree will equip students with the following transferable skills: Logical thinking; Analysis of complex ideas, arguments and theories; Problem-solving; The ability to present succinct reports; Intellectual independence; Communication skills. In doing so, students gain the skills and knowledge to play a part in solving some of the world’s most pressing problems and are prepared for a variety of different careers, ranging from government, the civil service, research and policy-making, international organisations and NGOs, business and the financial sector. Contact with the Careers Office has been embedded in core modules to ensure that the enhancement of student's employability is at the forefront of the programme. Throughout the programme students apply their learning to real world examples and case studies. First year Politics with International Relations students get the chance to gain work experience over the summer term through our Politics@Work initiative. Students also have the option for a year in industry during the third year of their studies. The opportunity to undertake a one-year professional placement during the third year will help students to get ahead in the graduate job market by developing their employability and professional skills.
43	vi) How will students who need additional support for academic and transferable skills be identified and supported by the Department?
44	Academic and personal development is supported and monitored closely through continual supervision and feedback. Personal supervisors provide support and guidance throughout a student's degree offering weekly Feedback and Guidance hours.
45	vii) How is teaching informed and led by research in the department/ centre/ University?
46	Students benefit from our research-led approach to teaching - many of our academics are internationally recognised in their fields and all are actively researchers - and gain knowledge from top academics at the forefront of current debates. Our modules are taught by academics at the forefront of research across a number of political areas such as conflict, security and development, political economy, international politics, political theory and public policy. As international experts in their field, our staff advise governments and organisations and regularly contribute to news and current affairs programmes globally. Our expertise and experience feed directly into our teaching. In particular, our wide range of module options at Stage 2 and 3 provide opportunities to explore specialised research areas that our staff are working on.
47	Stage-level progression Please complete the table below, to summarise students’ progressive development towards the achievement of PLOs, in terms of the characteristics that you expect students to demonstrate at the end of each year. This summary may be particularly helpful to students and the programme team where there is a high proportion of option modules. Note: it is not expected that a position statement is written for each PLO, but this can be done if preferred (please add information in the 'individual statement' boxes). For a statement that applies across all PLOs in the stage fill in the 'Global statement' box.
48	Stage 0 (if your programme has a Foundation year, use the toggles to the left to show the hidden rows)
49	Stage 1
50	On progression from the first year (Stage 1), students will be able to:												Identify and engage critically with the key conceptual, theoretical and methodological components of Politics and International Relations.
51	PLO 1			PLO 2			PLO 3					PLO 4					PLO 5					PLO 6
52	Identify core concepts and debates surrounding the origins, evolution and contemporary dynamics of politics and its international dimensions.			Identify key theories, concepts and methods and use critical reasoning to analyse how they have been used to study problems in politics and international relations.			Demonstrate an awareness of the challenges involved in conducting research in the disciplines of Politics and International Relations through considering alternative methods and techniques that scholars can use to approach research questions; gather and interpret data; and justify conclusions.					Work with guidance to set goals and objectives in order to complete assigned tasks through gathering and analysing information.					Communicate according to established academic conventions in the disciplines of Politics and International Relations to present arguments using key facts and concepts through appropriate media such as essays, examination answers, reports, oral presentations.					Demonstrate intercultural awareness through identifying differing points of view in relation to problems in politics and international relations.
53	Stage 2
54	On progression from the second year (Stage 2), students will be able to:												Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the concepts, theories and methods of Politics and International Relations, and critically evaluate their usefulness in addressing problems.
55	PLO 1			PLO 2			PLO 3					PLO 4					PLO 5					PLO 6
56	Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the origins and evolution and contemporary dynamics of politics and its international dimensions.			Apply with guidance given theories, concepts and methods to problems and issues in politics and international relations, using critical reasoning and (where appropriate) empirical testing to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.			Conceive research questions with minimum guidance and explain the use of relevant theories and concepts; select and apply appropriate tools to gather and interpret data; and justify conclusions.					Work with minimum guidance to set goals and objectives in order to complete assigned tasks through gathering and analysing information.					Communicate according to established academic conventions in the disciplines of Politics and International Relations to present arguments using detailed ideas through appropriate media such as essays, examination answers, reports, oral presentations or posters.					Demonstrate intercultural awareness through reflecting on the way that different perspectives have wider social and environmental implications.
57	Stage 3
58	(For Integrated Masters) On progression from the third year (Stage 3), students will be able to:												Global statement
59	PLO 1			PLO 2			PLO 3					PLO 4					PLO 5					PLO 6
60	Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the origins and evolution and contemporary dynamics of politics and its international dimensions through engaging with specialist areas of study.			Apply independently theories, concepts and methods to problems and issues in politics and international relations, using critical reasoning and (where appropriate) empirical testing to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.			Independently conceive research questions and explain the use of relevant theories and concepts; select and apply appropriate tools to gather and interpret data; and justify conclusions.					Work independently to set goals and objectives in order to solve problems through gathering and analysing information.					Communicate according to established academic conventions in the disciplines of Politics and International Relations to present arguments using advanced ideas from a specialist area of study through appropriate media and a range of formats such as essays, examination answers, reports, oral presentations or posters.					Work independently in light of the values of tolerance and inclusivity; and recognising the ethical implications for studying politics and its international dimensions.
61	Programme Structure
62	Module Structure and Summative Assessment Map Please complete the summary table below which shows the module structure and the pattern of summative assessment through the programme. ‘Option module’ can be used in place of a specific named option. If the programme requires students to select option modules from specific lists these lists should be provided in the next section. From the drop-down select 'S' to indicate the start of the module, 'A' to indicate the timing of each distinct summative assessment point (eg. essay submission/ exam), and 'E' to indicate the end of the module (if the end of the module coincides with the summative assessment select 'EA') . It is not expected that each summative task will be listed where an overall module might be assessed cumulatively (for example weekly problem sheets). If summative assessment by exams will be scheduled in the summer Common Assessment period (weeks 5-7) a single ‘A’ can be used within the shaded cells as it is understood that you will not know in which week of the CAP the examination will take place.
63	Stage 0 (if you have modules for Stage 0, use the toggles to the left to show the hidden rows)
77	Stage 1
78	Credits		Module				Autumn Term										Spring Term										Summer Term
79			Code		Title		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
80	30		POL00002C		Introduction to Democratic Politics (core)		S										A													E	A
81	30		POL00003C		Introduction to International Politics (core)		S										A													E	A
82	30		POL00004C		Introduction to Political Theory (core)		S										A													E	A
83	30		POL00008C		What is Politics? (core)		S										A													E	A
84	Stage 2
85	Credits		Module				Autumn Term										Spring Term										Summer Term
86			Code		Title		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
87	30		POL00050I OR POL00051I		Political Enquiry in Politics or Political Enquiry in International Relations (core)			S									A													E	A
88	30		Option from Basket A					S									A													E	A
89	30		Option from Basket B					S									A													E	A
90	30		Option from Basket C					S									A													E	A
91	Stage 3
92	Credits		Module				Autumn Term										Spring Term										Summer Term
93			Code		Title		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
94	40		POL00016H		International Relations Dissertation			S																					EA
95		20	Various		Autumn Term option 1			S								E	A
96		20	Varous		Autumn Term option 2			S								E	A
97		20	Various		Spring Term option 1													S							E		A
98		20	Various		Spring Term option 2													S							E		A
99	Optional module lists If the programme requires students to select option modules from specific lists these lists should be provided below. If you need more space, use the toggles on the left to reveal ten further hidden rows.
100	Stage 2 modules
101	Options are based on staff research interests and the number and range of topics covered will vary from year to year depending on staff availability. Options for this cohort will be posted during the academic year for the following stage and can be viewed on the departmental websites listed below [provide the web link for the relevant webpage].
102	Option Stage 2
103	(A) Political Theory									(B) The State and Political Institutions														(C) International Politics
104	Code				Module name					Code						Module name								Code						Module Name
105	POL00004I				Contemporary Political Philosophy					POL00037I						Democracy, Autocracy and the State								POL00007I						War and Peace
106	POL00005I				History of Political Thought					POL00008I						Politics in the United Kingdom								POL00035I						The United States and Global Politics after the Cold War
107	POL00006I				State, Economy and Society					POL00032I						The European Union: Politics and Policies								POL00045I						The Rising Powers
108	POL00042I				Empire War and Law					POL00009I						Politics of Development								POL00049I						Critical Global Security Studies
109	POL00053I				The Politics of Gender																			POL00052I						Global Political Economy
110	Stage 3 modules
111	Option Stage 3 Autumn						Option Stage 3 Spring										Option List E					Option List F					Option List G					Option List H
112	Module Code			Module			Module Code					Module
113	POL00009H			Governing the Global Economy			POL00008H					Statebuilding and Political Transition in South East Asia