University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2022/23 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Social Sciences and Law > School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies > Politics and International Relations with Study Abroad (BSc) > 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 | 9SPAI003U |
---|---|
Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Egle Cesnulyte
|
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) |
This section sets out why studying this programme is important, both in terms of inspiring you as an individual and in considering the challenges we face. It describes how this degree programme contributes to:
SPAIS 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 School 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.
The School also offers joint degree programmes: BSc Joint Honours Politics and Sociology LL23 Economics and Politics LL12 Philosophy and Politics VL52 Social Policy and Politics LL42
BA Joints honours Politics and French RL12 Politics and German RL22 Politics and Italian RL32 Politics and Portuguese RL52 Politics and Spanish RL42 Politics and Russian RL 72
As well as Politics with Quantitative Research Methods (BSc and MSci)
The School also offers exchange programmes with universities in Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Politics students may take one or two teaching blocks abroad, normally at Level I.
The learning outcome statements shown below for your programme have been developed with reference to relevant national subject benchmarks (where they exist), national qualification descriptors (see the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) and professional body requirements.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies are listed to show how you will be able to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes.
This programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
---|---|
|
The School'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 (formative and summative) | |
The School 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/teaching methods and strategies |
---|---|
|
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 School 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 (formative and summative) | |
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/teaching methods and strategies |
---|---|
|
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 (formative and summative) | |
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). |
This section describes what is expected from you at each level of your programme. This illustrates increasing intellectual standards as you progress through the programme. These levels are mapped against the national level descriptors published by the Quality Assurance Agency.
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)]. |
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.
UG Workload Statement
Success as an undergraduate student depends on you being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. Programmes are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual research-based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive. At the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing and it is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Most programmes use credits and a 20 credit unit broadly equates to about 200 hours of student input. This includes all activities related to the teaching, learning and assessment of taught units.
A component of this is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes activities such as lectures, laboratories, tutorials and fieldwork. Some of this activity may be online and could consist of activity that is synchronous (using real-time environments such as Blackboard Collaborate) or asynchronous (using tools such as tutor moderated discussion forums, blogs or wikis).
In some programmes there are field courses and/or placements that will take place in concentrated periods of time.
Outside scheduled activities you are expected to pursue your own independent learning to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include, reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks, working on examples sheets, completing coursework, writing up laboratory notes, preparing for in-class progress tests and revising for examinations.
We recognise that many students undertake paid employment. To achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
Professional Programmes
Many undergraduates in the Faculty of Health Sciences will be following the professional programmes of:
For these professional programmes, full time attendance is compulsory unless absence is formally approved. Academic activities are timetabled throughout the 5-day week and student workload is around 40 hours per week on average. Where possible, students in the early years are permitted Wednesday afternoons for sport and extra-curriculum activities. This may not be available in later years of professional programmes as when a student progresses through the curricula there is an increasing exposure to clinical and professional activities. Students in clinic or on placements may need to stay later than core times of 08.00 – 18.00 or even overnight to observe out-of-hours activities. This increasing exposure to clinical activities means that students on these professional programmes often have longer term dates than the University standard. Individual years within programmes are likely to vary in length (for example because of the timings of placements) and further information on this will be found in individual programme regulations. Another important point to note is that many of the assessments sit outside of the standard University examination timetable and are likely to be more frequent meaning that students will more oftentimes be engaged in revision activities and self-directed learning.
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty Assessment and Feedback Statement for Undergraduate Students. University of Bristol access only.
The School also offers joint degree programmes: BSc Joint Honours Politics and Sociology LL23 Economics and Politics LL12 Philosophy and Politics VL52 Social Policy and Politics LL42
BA Joints honours Theology and Politics VL62 Politics and French RL12 Politics and German RL22 Politics and Italian RL32 Politics and Portuguese RL52 Politics and Spanish RL42 Politics and Russian RL 72
The School also offers exchange programmes with universities in Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Politics students may take one or two teaching blocks abroad, normally at Level I. Source For Further Information
The School is committed to a strategy of widening access to students from non-traditional backgrounds. Visit days provide potential applicants with an opportunity to visit Open Day provides students who have been offered a conditional place to visit.
Additional costs
In addition to the fees for the programme, a student will encounter the following costs:
All students on this programme will undertake a study abroad year in their 3rd year of study. There will be costs for travel, accommodation, visa, insurance. Costs depend on the study abroad location.
Depending on optional unit choice in the 2nd and final years of study, a student may have the opportunity to take part in an optional field trip.
Admissions Tutor(s): Undergraduate Admissions Office Tel: w+44 (0) 117 928 8154 Email: socsci-ug-admissions@bristol.ac.uk School website: www.bristol.ac.uk/spais
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Thinking Politically | POLI10005 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Political Concepts | POLI11101 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Theories of International Relations | POLI10003 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction | POLI11103 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Students may take both of the following Units OR 40 credits of Open Units (or a combination up to a maximum of 40 credits) | ||||
Issues in World Politics | POLI10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
The Politics of the Global South | POLI10004 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Choose open units | OPEN | 40 | Optional | |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Investigating Society (Politics) | POLI20019 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Plus 100 credit points from the following: | ||||
Conducting a Research Project using Secondary Data | POLI20001 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Contemporary International Relations | POLI20002 | 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 |
The History of Western Political Thought | POLI20007 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in South Asia | POLI20009 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Global Justice | POLI20010 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Comparative and International Political Economy | POLI20012 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Modern British Government and Politics | POLI20014 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Development Studies | POLI21213 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Co-operation and Integration In Europe | POLI21214 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Democracy and US Government | POLI21226 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
The Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa | POLI21231 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Contemporary Political Theory | POLI22202 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Power Politics and International Relations of East Asia | POLI29008 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Principles of Quantitative Social Science | SOCI20069 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
The Politics of the Environment | POLI20018 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Study Abroad (Year) | SPAI20029 | 120 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dissertation | POLI31555 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Select 80 credit points from: | ||||
Contemporary Feminist Thought: Debates and Issues | POLI30001 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
The Politics of Gender | POLI31351 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
States and Markets | POLI31559 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
The Politics of Post Apartheid South Africa | POLI31381 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Critical Security Studies | POLI31384 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Popular Culture and World Politics | POLI31378 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
The Political Economy of China | POLI30009 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
European Foreign Policy | POLI30014 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
US Foreign Policy | POLI30017 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
How to Win a Political Argument | POLI30020 | 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 |
Power, Politics and Food | POLI30027 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Northern Ireland: conflict and resolution | POLI30040 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Gender and Security | POLI30032 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Apocalypse or Ecotopia? | POLI30037 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Politics of Rebellion | POLI30038 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Populism | POLI30039 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Philosopher Queens | POLI30041 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Peacebuilding and Post-Conflict Transition in Latin America | POLI30036 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Politics and International Relations with Study Abroad (BSc) | 120 |
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