University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2017/18 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Social Sciences and Law > School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies > Politics with Quantitative Research Methods (MSci) > Specification
Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
Programme code | 9POLI020U |
---|---|
Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Nieves Perez-Solorzano Borragan
|
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups | Politics and international relations (2023) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
The Department of Politics seeks to provide excellence in teaching and learning within a top quality research environment. We aim to expose students to the core theoretical constructs of the main subfields of the discipline and expand their knowledge of a range of political systems, institutions, practices, behaviours and ideas. The Department aims to deliver a wide-ranging curriculum, stimulating student interest in political theory, theoretical constructs and perspectives, political analysis, political regions, systems and institutions and contemporary international relations. Our goal is to create a high quality learning environment and produce top quality, highly motivated graduates who have an advanced understanding of theoretical and conceptual tools with which to critically evaluate political phenomenon in their degree programme. The Department places primary emphasis on students' cognitive and research skills, particularly their written analysis of politics. However, our assessment procedures encourage students to develop a broad range of transferable skills, including oral argument, rigorous time management skills, critical thinking, conceptualisation, independent learning and interpersonal and team-work skills.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
---|---|
|
The Department's teaching learning and assessment strategy is based on [SB 4.1-4.9]:The acquisition of knowledge, understanding and analytical skills though lectures, seminars, individual supervision, team-work, debate, simulation, literature reviews, and independent study. The application of learning technologies include the use of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Blackboard (all units registered), discussion boards, the internet, visual presentations, power-point, and handouts. The effective use of a wide range of literature and information sources are encouraged via the use of primary texts, academic texts, journal articles, the use of course packs, websites, popular culture materials (film and fiction) and other media. |
Methods of Assessment | |
The Department provides for a range of formative and summative assessment across its degree programme, including analytic and substantive exercises, presentations and participation, literature reviews, sessional examinations, analytical and research-based essays for formative and summative assessment, mock examinations, classificatory examinations and a mandatory Politics dissertation at Level H [SB4.1-4.9]. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
---|---|
|
Critical academic abilities and intellectual skills are developed through a range of methods and strategies at different levels [SB 4.1-4.9]. At Level C, learning methods include lectures and seminars. Learning is facilitated by assignments and exercises. At Level I, students continue to be taught through a lecture and seminar programme, although with greater emphasis on the importance of independent study. At Level H, the strategy for learning focuses on individual, research-based learning. For most units, students participate in weekly two-hour long research-oriented seminar. They also conduct an independent research project in the form of a Politics dissertation. At all levels, the learning strategy focuses on the application of critical and creative thinking, an understanding of the contested nature of political concepts and the relationship between theory and evidence. Organisational and methodological research skills are specifically developed through the pre-requisite research methods unit at level I that offers training for the dissertation unit at level H. At all levels, each unit, lecture and seminar has clearly stated objectives and learning outcomes on the syllabus. All modes of written assessment (except examinations and the dissertation) receive written feedback sheets covering cognitive skills (including analysis and evidence), research skills, and skills in written communication Written feedback in oral presentations covers such issues as time keeping, delivery, and content as well as basis for improvement. The Department of Politics provides a study skills advisor (for skills in written communication and English-Language) and an IT advisor (each advisor has a 1 hour weekly drop-in session). Learning methods also include the use of the VLE (Blackboard), general library classes (Level C) and specialised library classes (Level I) to assist with independent research. Students are also provided with individual research tuition while conducting the Politics dissertation. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Methods of assessment such as essays, examinations, and exercises are linked to learning methods and strategies [SB4.1-4.9]. All modes of assessment require critical thinking, the application of concepts to empirical data, an ability to link argument and evidence and the application of formal presentational techniques. At level I, methods of assessment increase the use of independent study. Assessment methods also include critical oral analysis through the extensive use of participation, debate and presentation. At Level H, methods of assessment combine major independent projects (the Politics dissertation) with analytical and research-based essay writing and unseen classificatory examinations. The use of extended seminars (rather than lectures) for teaching and learning develops students' critical analytical oral skills through sustained discussion, debate and research-based presentations. All exercises assess the ability to think critically, creatively and analytically. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
---|---|
|
Effective communication skills are developed through a number of strategies from Level C onwards, including analytical essay writing, exercises and the requirement that students coherently and persuasively integrate evidence and argument [SB4.1-4.9]. The ability to present and communicate a sustained argument in written format is developed through analytical and research-based formative and summative essays and the dissertation. Oral communication skills are developed from Level C onwards in seminar discussions, debates and presentations. Communication skills (written and oral) are developed via the use of feedback sheets covering skills in written communication and, for oral presentations, issues of time keeping, delivery, content, and improvement. Team-work skills are developed through group exercises in seminars and team-work presentations. Effective use of information technology is developed through the use of the VLE (Blackboard) (all units in the Politics Department are registered on Blackboard), the use of the internet for both academic and non-academic sources, and email. The Department organises Library training sessions at Level C and Level I to ensure adequate understanding of learning resources. The Department also offers Study Skills Tuition. An appreciation of professional standards and integrity are developed through guidelines and handouts on plagiarism, referencing, bibliographies, word length, deadlines and guidelines on penalties for violating institutional/departmental rules on each of the above. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Written skills are assessed from Level C onwards through analytical and research-based essays (formative and summative). All essays receive a mark and written feedback via an essay-feedback sheet (in cases of summative assessment at Levels I and H, the Department retains copies of all essay feedback sheets). The coherence and fluency of written communication skills under pressure are assessed through examination papers at Level C, Level I and Level H. Oral presentation skills are assessed through the credit point framework. All oral presentations receive a mark and written feedback from the seminar tutor. An ability to work independently is assessed through coursework and presentations, essays, preparation for examinations and the Politics dissertation. Information technology skills are ensured by requiring that all written work is word-processed, all students must be in email communication with the Department, and all students are expected to make use of the internet and the VLE (Blackboard). Professional standards and integrity are ensured by strictly imposed penalties for late submission of work, inappropriate referencing and over length essays (formative and summative). |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
At level C [CFUB, SB 2.1 (1)], the student is expected to have gained a foundational knowledge and understanding of the problems associated with the nature and study of politics. At this level, the foundational knowledge will comprise the four major subfields of politics: these are comparative and national politics; political theory; research methods and world politics. The student is expected to have a grounding in political theory, focusing on key political concepts and to have an an understanding of world politics, organised around discussion of that sub-field, including perspectives, concepts and issues. The student is expected to be aware of the core features of comparative government and the theories underpinning those features. The student is expected to be aware of a plethora of approaches to the study of political science and of the variety of tools, frameworks, and models with which to explain political phenomena. The student should show an ability to write clearly and analytically about key concepts of political science and use them to evaluate empirical evidence. The expectation is that students at Level C may require substantial direction from tutors with guidance on the development of study skills. The student should be able to use the library and other learning facilities, such as the VLE (Blackboard), to the appropriate level. |
---|---|
Level I/5 - Intermediate |
At level I [CFUB] the student is expected to have further developed his/her knowledge and understanding of politics and have acquired a more specialised understanding and broader range of theories, concepts and cases. The student is expected to have developed their knowledge of each of the sub-fields, including an appreciation of the practical skills required in the design and execution of research projects. The student is expected to be able to evaluate material by applying a range of critical perspectives and competing theoretical lenses to the analytic problem and should have acquired a strong conceptual understanding of areas of the discipline for later theoretical and substantive units. Students will extend their analytical skills, their ability to structure their work and present it fluently. They are expected to be developing a greater capacity for self-directed learning (for example, through the researching and writing of essays) and should be increasingly sophisticated in their ability to discuss and present information and ideas. Students are expected to have an understanding of the different approaches to research design in politics. Students are also expected to have a strong grasp of the requisites of institutional learning and the norms of integrity and professionalism. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
At level H [CFUB] students are expected to broaden and deepen their knowledge of politics through their study of specialised optional subjects, the units being more closely linked to staff research interests [SB 3.1 (5). See SB 5.1-5.4]. They are expected to acquire a greater appreciation of the dominant conceptual and methodological approaches used in many areas of the discipline in more complexity and be able to apply these appropriately [SB3.1 (2) (a), 3.2(1)(a)]. Units at Level H offer greater opportunities for the use of primary source material in research. There is greater emphasis on independence in student learning and originality of thought and greater competence in oral and written presentation, which is sharpened by the production of the dissertation. Students are expected to develop further their ability to gather and assimilate information from diverse sources, to synthesise in an appropriate way and to engage in sophisticated critical evaluation of political arguments and texts [SB3.2(1)(a)]. Students are encouraged to develop and test their own critical judgements and arguments, to develop greater independence and self-directed study, in particular through the dissertation and to further extend individual and group work skills [SB 3.1(5)]. |
Level M/7 - Masters |
At level M students will be carrying out work at or informed by the forefront of an academic or professional discipline with a strong focus on quantitative research methods. Students will have shown originality in the application of knowledge, and they will understand how the boundaries of knowledge are advanced through research. They will be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, and they will show originality in tackling and solving problems. They will have the qualities needed for employment in circumstances requiring sound judgement, personal responsibility and initiative, in complex and unpredictable professional environments. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Workload Statement
Success at undergraduate level in the Social Sciences and Law depends on your being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. The programmes offered in the Faculty are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with larger lecture-based units providing the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving through to smaller seminar-based specialist units and finishing with an individual dissertation or research project. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning. But at the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing, whether in the library or at home. It is this skill of independent study above all others that you will take with you when you leave.
This model of academic development is particularly obvious in the more discursive subjects such as law, politics, social policy and sociology. The typical timetabled contact time for a discursive 20 credit point unit in the Faculty is about 30 hours. You will find that you need to allow for about 10 hours preparation on your own if you are to get the most from one of these teaching sessions. In addition there will often be class presentations or essays to write. Typically, the final year will include an independent research unit which by definition has a much smaller amount of more individualised support. Towards the end of any teaching block you may have additional revision or updating classes, and many programmes have occasional ad-hoc lectures of general interest and relevance. If you get stuck, there is always the chance to speak to your lecturer after a class or during their hours of general availability, or you could see your personal tutor. The Faculty also includes programmes which require increasing levels of mathematical sophistication, typically in Economics, Finance and Management. In this latter case, much larger numbers of lectures - up to 18 hours a week depending on option choices - and fewer small group classes are normal, as in the sciences.
As a result, and depending on your particular programme and option choices, your timetable is likely to be a lot less structured than that of fellow students who are linguists, scientists, engineers or medics. But the time that others spend in laboratories you should be spending in private study. In a sense, the library is your laboratory, and you will want to make best use of the excellent range of resources available to you here. A good University education does not tell you 'what you need to know'. Rather, we assume that, like your lecturers and professors, you are intellectually curious about your subject. We invite you to join us and we are there to help you satisfy your curiosity as best we can.
Assessment Statement
Please select the following link for a statement about assessment. This is University of Bristol access only.
https://www.bris.ac.uk/fssl/current-students/fssl-undergraduates/assessmentandfeedbackstatement.pdf
This course is ideal for those interested in learning more about how to use numbers and data within the social sciences, and in acquiring practical and analytical skills that are attractive to employers. It has been developed in partnership with the Nuffield Foundation, ESRC and HEFCE as part of the new Bristol Q-Step Centre: one of fifteen centres in the UK tasked with leading a step-change in the quality of quantitative methods teaching provided to undergraduate social scientists.
Two thirds of your studies will follow the Single Honours Politics and International Relations course, acquiring core knowledge in your subject. The remaining third provides applied inter-disciplinary training in quantitative methods. In year one, we discuss how numbers and data are used (and abused) to tell ‘convincing stories’ in the media and social research. We consider what is meant by segregation, and how it can be mapped and measured. Year two offers practical classes in social statistics and applied data analysis, developing your skills in numeracy and analysis to advance your study of politics, and enabling you to undertake your own individual research project in an area of quantitative social science in year three.
There is also a four-year undergraduate degree option, offering more advanced quantitative methods for those wishing to graduate with a Master's (MSci) qualification.
www.bris.ac.uk/qstep www.nuffieldfoundation.org/q-step-centres
This Integrated Master's programme has been designated as type II: Advanced Study in accordance with the QAA descriptors for Master's programmes. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Political Concepts | POLI11101 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Thinking Politically | POLI10005 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Convincing stories? Numbers as evidence in the social sciences | UNIV10002 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Segregation and inequality in the UK (measurement and debate) | SPOL10017 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Select one of the following two units in TB-1: | ||||
The Politics of the Global South | POLI10004 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Issues in World Politics | POLI10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Select one of the following two units in TB-2: | ||||
Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction | POLI11103 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Theories of International Relations | POLI10003 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
The following units are must pass: POLI20001 and SOCI20069. For further information and a definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms.
This Integrated Master's programme has been designated as type II: Advanced Study in accordance with the QAA descriptors for Master's programmes. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Principles of Quantitative Social Science | SOCI20069 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Conducting a Research Project using Secondary Data | POLI20001 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
80 credit points from the following | ||||
Contemporary International Relations | POLI20002 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
International Organisations and Global Governance | POLI20003 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
NGO Development & Practice | POLI20004 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Understanding Genocide | POLI20005 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Russian Politics | POLI20006 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Apocalypse or Ecotopia? Green Political Thought | POLI20008 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Global Justice | POLI20010 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Rational Choice | POLI21203 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Development Studies | POLI21213 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Co-operation and Integration In Europe | POLI21214 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Contemporary Political Theory | POLI22202 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Politics and Policy-Making in the UK | POLI21222 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Democracy and US Government | POLI21226 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
The Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa | POLI21231 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in South Asia | POLI20009 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Power Politics and International Relations of East Asia | POLI29008 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
This Integrated Master's programme has been designated as type II: Advanced Study in accordance with the QAA descriptors for Master's programmes. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dissertation (with Quantitative Research Methods) (Politics) | POLI30011 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
80 credit points from the following: | ||||
Contemporary Feminist Thought: Debates and Issues | POLI30001 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Justice between generations | POLI30005 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
The Political Economy of China | POLI30009 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
European Foreign Policy | POLI30014 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
The Holocaust - History and Legacy | POLI30016 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
US Foreign Policy | POLI30017 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Secrecy, Power, Politics | POLI30033 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Ethnic Politics | POLI30019 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
How to Win a Political Argument | POLI30020 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
The Contemporary British Parliament | POLI31336 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
The Politics of Gender | POLI31351 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Post-Modern Political Theories | POLI31367 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Popular Culture and World Politics | POLI31378 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
The Politics of Post Apartheid South Africa | POLI31381 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Critical Security Studies | POLI31384 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Politics of the Environment | POLI31556 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Peacebuilding: Theory and Practice | POLI31557 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
States and Markets | POLI31559 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Public Opinion and Democracy | SOCI30072 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Risk, Danger and Disaster | SOCI30098 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Political Corruption | POLI30022 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Contemporary Chinese Foreign Policy | POLI30023 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
The Politics of the Contemporary Labour Party | POLI30024 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
The Politics of Human Rights | POLI30026 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
The Politics of HIV/AIDS in Africa | POLI30030 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Populism and Politics in India | POLI30035 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Gender and Security | POLI30032 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
BSc Politics with Quantitative Research Methods | 120 |
This Integrated Master's programme has been designated as type II: Advanced Study in accordance with the QAA descriptors for Master's programmes. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Pass Mark for Undergraduate Programmes:
For details on the weightings for classifying undergraduate degrees, please see the Agreed Weightings, by Faculty, to be applied for the Purposes of Calculating the Final Programme Mark and Degree Classification in Undergraduate Programmes.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
Please refer to the specific progression/award requirements for programmes with a preliminary year of study, the Gateway programmes and International Foundation programmes.
All undergraduate degree programmes allow the opportunity for a student to exit from a programme with a Diploma or Certificate of Higher Education.
Integrated Master's degrees may also allow the opportunity for a student to exit from the programme with an equivalent Bachelor's degree where a student has achieved 360 credit points, of which 90 must be at level 6, and has successfully met any additional criteria as described in the programme specification.
The opportunities for a student to exit from one of the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry with an Award is outlined in the relevant Programme Regulations (which are available as an annex in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes).
An Ordinary degree can be awarded if a student has successfully completed at least 300 credits with a minimum of 60 credits at Level 6.
The pass mark for the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine and Dentistry is 50 out of 100. The classification of a degree in the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry is provided in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
University of Bristol,
Senate House,
Tyndall Avenue,
Bristol, BS8 1TH, UK
Tel: +44 (0)117 928 9000