University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2021/22 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Social Sciences and Law > School for Policy Studies > International Social and Public Policy with Study Abroad (BSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 9SPOL032U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Oscar Berglund
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Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
School/department | School for Policy Studies |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
The central core of the International Social and Public Policy Degree (with Study Abroad) is to explore, analyse and critically assess contemporary social and public policy issues in and across societies. This interdisciplinary and international programme provides students with the opportunity to engage with and gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of and relationship between social and public policies. Drawing on key theories of comparative and international social and public policy, as well as a variety of social science perspectives such as sociology, economics, politics, philosophy and history the programme will enable students to gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which contemporary social, political and economic issues are shaped and responded to in different parts of the world. The unique focus of this programme is to gain major insights into the role of public policy, actors and institutions and an understanding of the development and implementation of policy measures designed to influence the social circumstances of individuals and collectivities. The opportunity for 12 month Study Abroad at the end of the 2nd year offers an excellent opportunity for students engaged with the BSc International Social and Public Policy programme to extend and deepen their knowledge and experience of policy issues, institutions and outcomes in a different parts of the world. It also aims to provide students with a rich experience of different teaching and study methods and styles as well as the opportunity to broaden horizons and be immersed in a new and exciting environment
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Acquisition of the knowledge and understanding outlined in the programme ILOs will be achieved through a range of learning and teaching methods and strategies. Foundational knowledge relating to ILOs 1-10 are achieved in the core years across the 3 years of study through lectures, seminars, classes and workshops and a diverse range of assessment techniques which will involve essays, presentations, policy reports, annotated bibliographies and projects involving analysis of data (skills 1-10). The mandatory units in the first year cover material that is foundational to students' understanding and development and link specifically to ILOs 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 and 10 introducing students to key concepts, ideas and perspectives in an international context (Key Concepts, Theories and Ideologies in Social Policy), with a more country specific focus on East and South East Asia, Europe and the USA in the Comparative and International Policy Studies unit. In this first year ILOs 8, 9 and 10 are achieved through the unit on Critical Skills for Social Scientists: International Social and Public Policy. In the second year, mandatory units provide students with a more sophisticated understanding of policy making and implementation policies and perspectives in Understanding Public Policy (ILOs 4 and 5) as well as a thorough grounding in research methods (Social Research Methods for international social and public policy) (ILOs 8, 9 and 10), and the role of different actors shaping public and social policy in a global, national and local context (Comparative Political Economy and Social Policy) (ILOs 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7). The units are delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. In seminars and workshops students engage in group discussions, individual and group presentations, and debates which are educational (not formative) but do contribute to knowledge and learning for the different forms of assessment. A range of options are available to students which facilitate increasing breadth and depth of knowledge and learning with regards to different parts of the world and a wide variety of substantive international policy areas through which theories, concepts and perspectives on the policy process can be applied and analysed (for example Migration Policy in the UK, EU and Globallly; Development and Social Policy for example) (ILOs 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7) as well as policy development and implement (Public Management). (ILOs 2 and 3). The opportunity for 12 month Study Abroad at the end of the 2nd year offers an excellent opportunity for students engaged with the BSc International Social and Public Policy programme to extend and deepen their knowledge and experience of policy issues, institutions and outcomes in a different parts of the world (ILO 11) A key element of assessment in the third year is the production of a 10,000 word dissertation (40CP) on a topic of the students choice relating to international social and public policy. This draws together, consolidates and deepens the expertise, skills and knowledge developed by the student during their degree CV and encapsulates ILOs 1 to 10. Advanced knowledge is acquired through individual supervision, one-to-one tutorials, and workshops throughout the year at key stages in the dissertation process as part of supporting the student through to the successful completion of the dissertation. In addition a range of options are available to students to further develop the breadth and depth of knowledge and learning in Year 3. These include Social and Public Policy in the European Union and Social Policy in East Asia (ILOs 2,3,4,5,6,7) as well as a range of substantive policy areas which will address ILOs 2 to in particular. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Throughout the programme students undertake a diversity of forms of summative assessment including essays, student presentations, portfolios, unseen written examinations and policy reports. Units are assessed at two points during the year with a smaller assessment usually taking place earlier on in the unit with the aim of developing skills and engaging with a more substantial assessment later in the year. During the first year of study the mix of assessment gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding and ability to employ their skills and knowledge in different ways. We also see it as important to enable students to develop both the skill of writing clearly and succinctly within time limits (for example one hour practice exam and 3 hour exams for Key Concepts, Theories and Ideologies in Social Policy) and the ability to produce more sustained and individually researched pieces of work that can demonstrate reflexive understanding of global and international issues and processes and how they interact with social and public policy including essays (for example 2,000 word essay for Comparative and International Policy Studies). In the Critical Skills for Social Scientists: International Social and Public Policy the methods of assessment encourage students to demonstrate their reflexive understanding of and skills relating to global and international policy issues through reports, posters and presentations (Critical Skills for Social Scientists: International Social and Public Policy). In the second year forms of assessment might include preparing an annotated bibliography and a 2,000 Comparative Political Economy Encyclopedia entry on a substantive international policy area (Comparative Political Economy and Social Policy), a policy critique (Understanding Public Policy), comparison of specific data sources, individual or group presentations, or peer review of outline research proposal (Social Research Methods for International Social and Public Policy). The overall assessment mix will depend on the optional units selected but more substantial forms of assessments involve essays, policy briefs, the further development of a reflexive and mixed portfolio as well as unseen examinations (1, 2 or 3 hours in length). In the third year students taking this programme are required to produce a 10,000 dissertation based on an original investigation of an international policy issue. Independent research is supported with formal meetings between student and dissertation tutor, workshops at key stages of the dissertation process (establishing research questions, collecting data, analysis and writing up). Students will produce a 2,000 word proposal leading to the final 10,000 word dissertation. As in the second year, the overall assessment mix will depend on the optional units selected. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills and attributes are developed throughout the programme beginning with foundational skill development in year 1 with Critical Skills for International Social and Public Policy (ILOs 3, 4 and 6), Comparative and International Policy Studies (ILOs 1, 2 and 5) and Key Concepts, Theories and Ideologies in Social Policy (1, 2, 5) utilising lectures, seminars and a diverse range of assessment techniques to engage and equip students with appropriate expertise. Seminar discussions and presentations enable students to follow up on key points from reading, clarify and articulate theories, concepts and analysis of international social and public policy issues, consider processes and outcomes in a supportive and engaged environment that encourages reflexivity and self-reflection. A range of elective units enables further development and application of the intellectual skills across a range of substantive policy areas (Contemporary debates in Global Childhool; Understanding Crime, Harm and Sociey for example) and/or an exploration of the relationship between data, evidence and policy (Convincing Stories? Numbers as evidence in the Social Sciences). Across years 2 and 3 lectures and seminars form the main learning and teaching method which build on the foundational skill development established in year 1. Social Research Methods for International Social and Public Policy engages with ILOs 3 and 4, Understanding Public Policy engages with ILOs 2 and 5, and Comparative Political Economy and Social Policy links to 1, 2, and 5 in Year 2. In Year 3 the Dissertation firmly embeds the intellectual skills relating to theoretical application, the construction and meaning of policy issues, evaluation of policy problems and government policy in international comparative social and public policy, use and critique of primary and secondary data, conduct piece of reflexive and independent research (ILOs 1 to 6). Learning and teaching methods include one-to one tutorials with dissertation tutor, workshops at key stages of the dissertation process and the development of a 2000 word research proposal. In both Year 2 and Year 3 a range of elective units are available to develop and consolidate the intellectual skills of students. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Assessment methods in year one provide the opportunity for students to demonstrate an understanding of concepts and theories relating to international social and public policy and how these are constructed and applied in different societies and for different groups through mock and timed examinations and focused essays (Key Concepts, Theories and Ideologies in Social Policy and Comparative and International Policy Studies). Critical Skills for Social Scientists assesses students ability to utilise primary and secondary data and analyse government policy within a broader context through presentations, posters and reports. The further embedding of skills in the 2nd year of study includes an annotated bibliography to assess the identification of theories and understanding of concepts and a 2000 written piece to address ILO 1, 2 and 5 (Comparative Political Economy and Social Policy), and a policy critique (ILOs 2 and 5) for Understanding Public Policy. Social Research Methods for International and Public Policy assesses ILO 3 and 4 through a comparison of specific data sources, individual or group presentations, and pee review of outline research proposal. In Year 3 the 2,000 word proposal and the 10,000 word dissertation assesses skills 1 to 5, with a particular emphasis on ILOs 3 and 4. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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All learners receive initial guidance on how to identify, locate and use material available in libraries and elsewhere. Comprehensive bibliographies are provided for each course unit at the outset, as are guidelines for seminar and assessment. Workshops are given in the use of on-line databases for literature searching. The final year dissertation is supported by a series of workshops which enhance and extend these skills (ILOs 1,2,5,6) The 12 month study abroad provides students with a global opportunity to extend their skills, reflect on their learning and develop flexibility in a new and rich environment (ILOs 3, 4,5 and 7). ILO 5 is further embedded through experience of learning to manage time and meet deadlines which are all given at the outset of each unit (for example. Handing in summative work and completing the dissertation to time). Skills for ILOs 3 and 4 are developed in seminars, classes and workshops, which rely on facilitated discussion and interaction as well as individual or group presentations. ILO 7 is achieved through self-reflection and tutors feedback on activities in seminars, as well as discussions with personal tutor. Workshops provide support for students' own personal and professional development. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Summative assessment of skills 1, 2, 3,6 and 7 is through a range of different methods including policy reports, portfolios, unseen examinations, and feedback on student presentations (in particular the presentation of the student's own dissertation work at dissertation conferences). Summative assessment of skills 1 to 3 also achieved through submission of the dissertation. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
At the end of this level, learners are expected to be able to demonstrate knowledge of contemporary social and policy issues in a global and comparative perspective. They should be able to show awareness in general terms of the relevant theoretical perspectives for understanding and interpreting International social and public policy. The expectation is that their work may require substantial direction from members of staff. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
At the end of this level, learners are expected to be able to demonstrate that they have expanded the range and depth of their knowledge and understanding of social and public policy in comparative and theoretical directions. This should include their understanding of policy making and implementation and the relationship between policy, social justice and social divisions. They should be aware of the range of research approaches relevant to the study of social policy. Through their choice of optional units they should be developing their skills and knowledge in relation to particular fields of international policy. They are expected to be developing a capacity for self-directed learning |
Level H/6 - Honours |
Learners should continue to develop the depth of their knowledge and understanding through their study of both mandatory and optional subjects. Students are expected to demonstrate an ability to apply the skills learnt in the research methods unit and to enhance their capacity for self directed study, especially through the completion of a dissertation. |
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.
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.
Pre-requisite for Study Abroad: 55% for the overall year 1 average - at first attempt.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Social Research Methods | SOAD20004 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Understanding Public Policy | SPOL20026 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
International Political Economy and Social Policy | SPOL20063 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Select three units (60 credits) from the following: | ||||
Social Policy and Development | SPOL20050 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Health Policy in a Global Context (SPS) | SPOL20061 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Work and Work Placement: International Social and Public Policy | SPOL20057 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
Poverty, Social Exclusion and Social Policy | SPOL20019 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Social Care in Crisis | SPOL20047 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Harms of the Powerful | SPOL20034 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Colonialism, Sexual Offences and Law | SPOL20062 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Globalisation, Crime, Harm and Justice | SPOL20025 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Youth Justice | SPOL20022 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Theorising Social Welfare | SPOL20059 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
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.
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