BA Social and Political Sciences 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 Social and Political Sciences
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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?			The programme will follow the standard University semester dates.		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			SBS
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18	Lead department			SBS		Other contributing departments			Sociology 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-based
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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	Subject Benchmark Statements - Social Policy. Subject Benchmark Statements - Sociology. Subject Benchmark Statements - Politics.
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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	N/A
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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	N/A
42	N/A
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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 in are possible-, we usually recieve transfer requests from students taking BA Politics, BA Social and Public Policy, BA Sociology.			Transfers out:	Transfer outs are possible but less likely to occur- usually students are more likely to transfer to straight honours programmes.
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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	The Social and Political Sciences programme draws on three distinct subjects - Politics, Social Policy and Sociology. By engaging with theories and issues within politics, social policy and sociology, students will develop a greater knowledge and appreciation of how political and social institutions frame our understanding of what the most pressing issues that confront us are. By engaging with different disciplinary traditions, students will develop a deeper understanding of the barriers and opportunities offered by different social and policy responses. Graduates in Social and Political Sciences are equipped to tackle complex problems, applying theoretical knowledge and empirical evidence to promote flexibility in thought and problem solving, intellectual independence but also collaborative working. Our Graduates have a versatility of knowledge and skills that enables them to pursue a wide range of careers from across the public, private and voluntary sectors.
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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
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70	Programme Learning Outcomes
71	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...'
72	1	Draw on politics, social policy and sociology to develop critically-reasoned and analytically coherent contributions to our collective understanding of emerging local, national and global issues and the changing social and political world.
73	2	Engage with and demonstrate a high level understanding of a broad range of social scientific theories and research in order to understand and offer critical reflections on the major challenges confronting nations and our world.
74	3	Design and undertake research projects that draw upon appropriate research techniques to investigate global issues, nation states, societies and/or individuals.
75	4	Operate as resourceful, self-directed professionals and researchers equipped with the demonstrable ability to learn and develop a broad range of social scientific skills.
76	5	Synthesise and communicate complex information and arguments to diverse audiences in appropriate formats.
77	6	Communicate ideas effectively and sensitively in a way that promotes equality and celebrates diversity and is respectful of the views, values and cultural position of others.
78	7	Work collaboratively, constructively and creatively in teams in a manner which values difference and recognises diverse needs, views and values.
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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	The Department of Social Policy and Social Work (now in the School for Business and Society) is well versed in supporting students from diverse entry routes to tranisiton into the programme. We regularly recruit students from a diverse range of backgrounds to our programmes and have skilled members of staff to support them. Students are provided with an academic supervisor to support them through their studies. In the case for students from a WP/diverse entry route we usually assign members of staff who have experience of working with students with such backgrounds. All students are directed to the various mechanisms of support across the university such as the academic and writing skills guides to support them during their first year. Given the nature of first year and that it is used to embed core academic skills, this is reflected in our first year module design whereby students from diverse entry routes will be able to access such teaching and support. Students benefit from a comprehensive induction week, including sessions on the programme, the library/VLE, constructing a safe learning agreement and 'meet the staff' opportunities. Students are encouraged to participate in academic skills sessions run in the School as well as attending digital literacy sessions in semester 1 with our subject librarian.
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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	The PLOs include a suite of transferable skills that can be applied in a wide range of problem-solving contexts, such as being able to interpret and critically evaluate complex material and communicate such material in a variety of formats to a variety of audiences. Students will develop independent and team-based working skills, including planning and time-management culminating in their dissertation work in the third year.
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