BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics 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, Politics and Economics.
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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			Economics, Philosophy and 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
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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, Economics, 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 exceptions
42	No exceptions
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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:	Transfers between other PPE programmes (BA PPE, BSc PPE, BA Economics and Politics, BA Philosophy and Politics) are sometimes possible at the end of Stage One if requisite Stage One modules have been taken.			Transfers out:	Transfers between other PPE programmes (BA PPE, BSc PPE, BA Economics and Politics, BA Philosophy and Politics) are sometimes possible at the end of Stage One if requisite Stage One modules have been taken.
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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, Politics and Economics degree programme trains students to combine different disciplinary perspectives in an instructive way. Tackling complex societal problems requires the multi-layered competencies that are developed by studying key related disciplines with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinarity. Taking a degree in PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) equips you to approach difficult societal issues in a rounded and nuanced way. We educate researchers, policy makers and professionals to examine an issue from different angles and to combine different perspectives in a creative, rigorous and constructive manner. The three PPE disciplines require different but complementary skills—the mathematical precision of the economist, the insistence on logical argument and the probing of key principles and concepts found in philosophy, and the need for solid evidence typical of all social sciences. Whether you are examining the lessons to be learned from financial crises and global pandemics, the challenges of a globalising world, or the appropriate response to climate change, a PPE degree will equip you with the knowledge and skills to confidently combine methods, frameworks and tools from philosophy, politics and economics to propse solutions and evaluate arguments, evidence and decisions. As a PPE student, you will become a interdisciplinary analyst, as well as a versatile and persuasive communicator of complex ideas. At York, there is a long-standing tradition of interdisciplinary PPE teaching and we have a suite of exciting interdisciplinary modules. Our programmes are desined to give you maximum flexibility to shape your degree according to your inerests and aspirations. First Year will give you a grounding in the core approaches and debates in your three disciplines. Second Year enables you to start to specialise in the areas of Philosophy, Politics and Economics that interest you most. Third Year students select a PPE module that builds on, and enhances, interdisciplinary learning, and they can choose options from a wide range of research-led specialist modules across the three PPE Departments. As a graduate of the PPE programme at the University of York, you’ll be able to probe social 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 limited 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	Identify issues and situations in society where concepts and principles from economics, politics and philosophy can provide insight, and confidently deploy those concepts and principles as appropriate.
72	2	Apply flexibly the analytical tools and methods used in philosophy, politics and economics, with an understanding of the purpose, scope and limitations of such methods.
73	3	Propose and evaluate creative solutions to complex problems by gathering and analysing a variety of data and information (including statistical, mathematical, and interpretative data) and drawing upon the concepts, methods, and theories of the three disciplines.
74	4	Communicate the issues, methods and results of the three disciplines in a clear and accessible way in a variety of verbal and written formats demonstrating a sound understanding of their complementarity.
75	5	Use interdisciplinary thinking to reflect upon and engage with complex issues arising in contemporary societies, thereby acquiring a deeper understanding of the connections between the PPE disciplines by drawing on the complete set of skills developed in these disciplines.
76	6	Critically engage with, and, when necessary, synthesise academic and professional research in all three disciplines, thereby becoming a versatile and multi-skilled analyst.
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 the disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the three PPE disciplines, as well as academic writing skills, and academic integrity. All students are assigned a supervisor in the first week of Stage 1 and 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 School and the University. As part of Stage One induction, the School of PPE signposts students to the Maths Skills Centre, which offers advice and guidance on maths topics, statistical concepts and analysis. We also advise the students to use the support of the Writing Centre and Study Skills Guides which offers advice and guidance on academic writing, critical thinking and analysis skills, developing effective study habits and communication skills. Stage One modules available to PPE students (Political Analysis, Philosophical Analysis) embed academic study skills.
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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	BA PPE students are highly employable and well-placed for graduate options and postgraduate studies. Students will encounter across the curriculum modules which are designed to help them develop the skills they need for employment and further study. Specific modules in the PPE curriculum embed the York Strengths employability programme (e.g. Econometrics optional for BA PPE students). In Politics, the York Policy Lab (Stage 1, optional) is designed to encouarge students to think about real-world policy problems and in Philosophy, the Philosophy and Society module (optional for PPE students) offers students an chance to build skills of communication and collaboration. The core PPE module (Topics in PPE) is linked to a PPE-specific alumni event to encouarge PPE students to think about career options after their degree. Students on the PPE programe have the opportunity to take a placement year and receive dedicated support from a placement coordinator. Finally, PPE students have the option of choosing a PPE ISM at Stage 3, which gives students the opportunity to produce an extended piece of independent interdisciplinary research.
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