BA Philosophy and Politics Programme Specification 2023-24

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2023-24
3	Revised February 2023
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6	Programme Title			BA Philosophy and Politics.
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8	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			2023		Award type			BA
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10	What level is this qualification?			6		Length of programme			3 years
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12	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full time
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14	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			Yes		For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			N/A
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16	Awarding institution			University of York		Board of Studies for the programme			PPE
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18	Lead department			PPE		Other contributing departments			Politics, Philosophy
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20	Language of study and assessment			English		Language(s) of assessment			English
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22	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Campus
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24	Partner organisations
25	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
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27	N/A
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29	Reference points
30	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
31	Undergraduate Programme Design Policy; QAA Subject Benchmark Statements (relevant: Politics, Philosophy).
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34	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
35	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
36	No exemptions
37	No exemptions
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39	Exceptions to Regulations
40	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
41	No exemptions
42	No exemptions
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44	Internal Transfers
45	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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47		Transfers in:	Students can sometimes transfer into Phil-Pol from Politics, Philosophy at the end of Stage One.			Transfers out:	Students are normaly able to transfer to single-honours Politics and single-honours Philosophy at the end of Stage One.
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50	Statement of Purpose
51	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. 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.
52	Our Philosophy and Politics degree programme trains students to combine different disciplinary perspectives in an instructive way. The most complex public issues - from environmental policy and the societal impact of technology, to the sanctioned use of violence and refugee crises - require analysis that draws on interdisciplinary methods and knowledge. Studying this programme will allow students to master the different skills associated with the disciplines of Philosophy and Politics: getting to grips with difficult social and political problems to try to find answers; applying critical reasoning to evaluate competing options; and constructing rigorous and precise arguments. Over the course of the programme you’ll grow intellectually and develop employability-enhancing skills in reasoning, creative problem solving, communication and independent research. At York PPE, we have a long-standing tradition of interdisciplinary teaching and a suite of exciting interdisciplinary modules. First Year will give you a grounding in the core approaches and debates in your chosen disciplines. Second Year enables you to start to specialise in the areas of Philosophy and Politics that interest you most. Third Year students undertake a core Political Philosophy module that builds on, and enhances, interdisciplinary learning, and they can choose options from a wide range of research-led specialist modules. As a graduate of the Philosophy and Politics programme at the University of York, you’ll be able to probe social and political problems from multiple angles, using different methodologies and intellectual frameworks. Graduates of our programmes have found stimulating and rewarding careers in a diverse range of fields: from journalism, local government and the civil service to media, NGOs, teaching and professional consultancy.
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63	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
64	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?			Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
65	Certificate of Higher Education			Exit award only	Students will have met all PLOs to a limted extent			Pass Stage 1 of the programme.
66	Diploma of Higher Education			Exit award only	Students will have met all PLOs to a moderate extent			Pass Stage 1 and 2 of the programme.
67	Ordinary Degree			Exit award only	Students will have met all PLOs to a substantial extent			Pass Stage 1 and 2 of the programme and any 60 credits from Stage 3.
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69	Programme Learning Outcomes
70	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
71	1	Understand and explain key problems, issues, and debates across a wide range of areas of philosophy and politics—including some at the forefront of contemporary work—and communicate complex and difficult ideas in clear, precise, and accessible terms in a variety of formats.
72	2	Apply theories, concepts and methods to political and philosophical phenomena, showing reflexive disciplinary understanding and using cross-disciplinary relations when appropriate.
73	3	Develop and articulate systematic, logical arguments for and against alternative solutions considered in relation to a particular problem, subjecting key concepts and principles to critical scrutiny.
74	4	Communicate issues, methods and results as we find them in philosophy and politics in a clear and accessible manner showing disciplinary understanding and drawing cross-disciplinary relations when appropriate.
75	5	Critically engage with, and, when necessary, synthesise academic and professional research in both disciplines, thereby becoming a versatile and multi-skilled analyst.
76	6	Use interdisciplinary thinking to reflect upon and engage with complex contemporary issues arising in modern societies by drawing on the complementary set of skills developed in both disciplines.
77	7	Improve academic and personal performance by developing initiative, self-organisation and time management skills, as well as the ability to assimilate advice and feedback in individual or collaborative work.
78	8	Demonstrate intercultural awareness and a reflective approach to differing visions of the public good in light of the values of tolerance and inclusivity.
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80	Diverse entry routes
81	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
82	Stage One of the programme provides a foundation in disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the disciplines, academic and writing skills, and academic integrity. All students are assigned a supervisor in the first week of Stage 1, that member of staff where possible remains the student's supervisor for the three years of their degree. Supervisors meet with students regularly to discuss progress, both academic and pastoral and can signpost students to other support services both in the department and the University. All students in Stage 1 complete core modules which develop their academic and professional skills (Political Analysis and Philosophical Analysis). These modules will ensure all students can build the skills to succeed on their programme, regardless of their prior experience.
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91	Inclusion
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93	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.
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95	Employability
96	Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
97	Students will be trained how to think, act, engage, reflect and communicate as analysts and researchers in Philosophy and Politics. As well as developing subject-specific knowledge, a Philosophy-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. Philosophy-Politics students have York Strengths embedded into core modules (e.g. Political Analysis). Philosophy-Politics students have the opportunity to undertake a one-year professional placement during the third year .
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