MA Contemporary History and International 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			MA Contemporary History and International Politics
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8	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			September 2023			Award type			MA
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10	What level is this qualification?			7			Length of programme			12 Months
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12	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full time or part 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			History
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18	Lead department			History			Other contributing departments			Politics
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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
26	N/A
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28	Reference points
29	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).
30	This programme has been designed in accordance with the University's Institutional Framework for Taught Programme Design and Undergraduate Programme Design Policy, and QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for History.
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33	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
34	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
35	No
36	No
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38	Exceptions to Regulations
39	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.
40	N/a
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42	Internal Transfers
43	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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45		Transfers in:	Yes, students may transfer into the programme accordance with University Regulations and fulfilling departmental entry requirements; they will be dependent upon available places.				Transfers out:	Yes, in accordance with University regulations.
46								Yes, in accordance with University regulations.
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48	Statement of Purpose
49	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.
50	The world needs better politics: better ways of resolving conflicts and distributing resources more efficiently and equitably. How do we improve policy and forge an effective international system when our traditions of political participation are local and national? The politics of the future is encumbered by the problems of the past. This interdisciplinary MA, taught by York’s globally renowned History and Politics departments, seeks to address these dilemmas and problems by bringing together insights from both politics and contemporary history. By taking the MA in Contemporary History and International Politics you will significantly augment your ability to create and solve problems independently using a diverse range of techniques. You will increase your capacity to discern the global and international dimensions of contemporary developments. You will advance your ability to read extensively – to discern what matters from a mass of data. You will enhance your capacity for sophisticated and intensive reading, enabling you to weigh the provenance and purpose behind a particular source of information. You will engage with interdisciplinary and cutting-edge approaches to scholarship. It will allow you to develop high-level manual and digital research skills, requiring reflection on your chosen analytical method. Your exposure to a diverse range of textual and non-textual sources will enable you to discuss them in a convincing and credible way. You will hone your presentation skills through specialist small-scale seminars, tutorials and workshops. You will learn to write effectively particularly in extended formats. The MA offers you access to a wide range of innovative research-informed modules examining topics of modern history, international politics and political theory. These will extend your knowledge and theoretical understanding of the contemporary world, and open up possibilities for further professional development or progression to a research degree. In sum, the programme will enable you to challenge conventional thinking.
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61	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).
62	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
63	Postgraduate Certificate in Contemporary History and International Politics			exit award only					any 60 credits
64	Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary History and International Politics			exit award only					any 120 credits including 'Research Project'
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66	Programme Learning Outcomes
67	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...'
68	1	Interpret and illuinate the dynamcis of the contemporary world by deploying an in-depth and systematic knowleddge of cutting-edge histroical and political science scholarship.
69	2	Explore and differentiate the perspectives of contemporary and historical actors and thinkers, and assess their significance using a range of advanced approaches and methods.
70	3	Work with a high degree of independence to design and pursue research questions and resolve complex problems using a diverse range of advanced approaches and techniques.
71	4	Construct and defend robust arguments, judiciously selecting different forms of evidence and/or theories.
72	5	Utilise advanced research skills, including how to locate and generate data using manual and digital techniques, and match and manipulate raw materials using carefully chosen and clearly articulated methodologies.
73	6	Conduct interdisciplinary study and research, drawing on information, concepts, theories and analytical approaches from history, politics and related disciplines in a balanced and creative way.
74	7	Communicate research findings to a range of audiences imaginatively, lucidly and succinctly using a variety of forms including short reports, oral presentations and extended pieces of writing.
75	8	Respond responsibly and resourcefully to the ethical and practical issues that arise during advanced historical research, including disciplinary differences between historical methods and those deployed by cognate disciplines and be alert to the value of working across these boundaries.
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77	Diverse entry routes
78	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.
79	The core module caters for students with a diverse background in History, the teaching of which varies across HEI in the UK, and overseas. All modules have formative essays which are revised for the summative work supported by tutors all of whom have twice weekly office hours. The Research Training module provide generic training in project design, finding sources, in ethics and in academic writing (ie how to construct an argument) and is undertaken before students commence their ISM.
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83	Inclusion
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85	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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87	Employability
88	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.
89	The programme provides an opportunity for learning advanced transferrable skills in project management—via especially the independent study module, a nine-month sets of activities to be planned and executed; in lucid and succinct report writing to a deadline; in collecting information from a diverse range of sources; in storing and analysing qualitative and quantitative data; in working collaboratively and inclusively with colleagues to debate contestable claims; in thinking critically about the advantages and disadvantages of group think (confirmation bias) which all organisations are prone to; in preparing detailed pre-meeting briefs; in conducting inclusive discussions; and in communicating in person clearly and confidently—both in one-to-one situations and in front of a large group of people.
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95	[For Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes Only]
96	Are you offering any variations of this programme, such as additional years abroad or industry?
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98	Year abroad					Will the year abroad programme be available directly via UCAS; for students to transfer in having entered the main programme; or both?
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100	Year in industry					Will the year in industry programme be available directly via UCAS; for students to transfer in having entered the main programme; or both?