Programme Specification
BA (Hons) History and Politics
Academic Year: 2020/21
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 full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.
This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our .
This specification should be read in conjunction with:
- Reg. XX (Undergraduate Awards) (see
- Module Specifications
- Summary
- Aims
- Learning outcomes
- Structure
- Progression & weighting
Programme summary
Awarding body/institution | 黑料网 |
Teaching institution (if different) | |
Owning school/department | School of Social Sciences and Humanities |
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body | |
Final award | BA (Hons)/BA (Hons) + DPS/BA (Hons) +DIntS |
Programme title | History and Politics |
Programme code | EUUB05 |
Length of programme | The duration of the programme is either 6 Semesters (three-year programme), or 8 semesters (four-year programme, including a placement year). The three-year programme allows, at Part B (Semester Two), for a course of study to be taught in English at a foreign university. |
UCAS code | VL1F/VL1H |
Admissions criteria | BA (Hons) - BA (Hons) + DPS/DIntS - |
Date at which the programme specification was published | Fri, 22 Jan 2021 19:33:46 GMT |
1. Programme Aims
- To provide students with an intellectually stimulating environment within which they can develop knowledge, understanding and skills in both History and Politics.
- To encourage a sense of enthusiasm for History and Politics; to foster critical, creative and independent thinking; and to develop a sensitive and disciplined approach.
- To stimulate productive reflection on the similarities and differences between modes of study in both subjects.
- To develop competence and practical skills which are transferable to a wide range of professions and employment as well as life experiences.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
- QAA Subject Benchmarking Statement - History
- QAA Subject Benchmarking Statement – Politics and International Relations
3. Programme Learning Outcomes
3.1 Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the idea of academic disciplines as dynamic, plural and contested; developed within the broader framework of the social sciences and humanities;
- the potential applications of concepts within a broader critical framework;
- the main methodologies used in the analysis and interpretation of texts, other sources and data;
and within the History portion of the programme:
- past societies and historical processes over a chronological and geographical range;
- the use of primary evidence in historical argument;
- History as an academic discipline, its schools of interpretations, and the variety of methodological approaches and theoretical foundations;
and within the Politics portion of the programme:
- how peoples, ideas and institutions interact and how values and resources are allocated through government and society;
- related questions of power, conflict, justice, order, legitimacy and decision-making;
- approaches derived from political theory and political analysis;
- appropriate research methods and methodologies and how to apply these
3.2 Skills and other attributes
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- demonstrate a reflexive approach to learning;
- abstract and synthesise information;
- assess the merits of contrasting theories, explanations and arguments;
- critically evaluate and interpret a range of evidence, including texts, other sources and data;
- undertake problem-solving and decision-making;
- develop a reasoned argument;
and within the History portion of the programme:
- appreciate the complexities and diversity of past events and mentalities;
- show a critical awareness of the problems inherent in historical sources and in interpreting the past;
- solve problems with imagination and creativity;
and within the Politics portion of the programme:
- describe, evaluate and, where appropriate, critique political events, ideas and institutions;
- relate theory and political analysis to questions of ethical, moral and public concern.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- locate and retrieve information using a variety of research methods;
- select, combine, and interpret different types of source material;
- recognise and critically debate moral and ethical issues underpinning particular debates or enquiries;
- deploy bibliographic skills including accuracy in the citation of sources and the use of proper conventions in the presentation of scholarly work
- present cogent and persuasive arguments in oral, written and practical form;
- undertake independent learning and research
c. Key transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should have developed skills in the areas of communication, presentations, self-organisation, working with others and time-management, and gained experience of using information and communication technologies for the retrieval and presentation of information.
4. Programme structure
History & Politics
This is a three-year long full-time degree programme. In each of the three parts (years) of the degree (A, B and C), students take modules amounting to 120 credits with a minimum modular weight of 50 credits in each Semester, taking into account compulsory, optional and elective modules.
In addition, students have the opportunity to undertake a Placement Year (Part I) after Part B.
Important Note: No module may be taken and passed more than once. Optional module availability is subject to timetabling constraints and optional modules may be subject to change.
Part A – Introductory Modules
History Component
(i) Compulsory Modules (total modular weight 40 Credits)
Module Code |
Module Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
PIA001 |
Smart Scholarship |
1 |
10 |
PIA705 |
Atlantic World |
1 |
20 |
PIA704 |
What is History? |
2 |
10 |
(ii) Optional Modules (total modular weight 20 Credits)
Module Code |
Module Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
Either: |
|
|
|
PIA800 |
The Making & Unmaking of the World Order (20 Credit) |
2 |
20 |
Or, for candidates taking a Language Option: |
|
|
|
PIA803 |
The Making & Unmaking of the World Order (10 Credit) |
2 |
10 |
and |
|
|
|
Languages |
|
|
|
One 10-Credit module, to be taken in Semester 2, from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. Languages offered are: French; German; Mandarin Chinese; Spanish |
2 |
10 |
Politics Component
(i) Compulsory Modules (total modular weight 40 Credits)
Module Code |
Module Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
PIA801 |
Power, Politics & Ideology in Modern Europe |
1 |
20 |
PIA617 |
International Political Theory |
2 |
10 |
PIA805 |
British Politics and Government |
2 |
10 |
(ii) Optional Modules (total modular weight 20 Credits)
Module Code |
Module Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
Either: |
|
|
|
PIA601 |
Contemporary World Arena (20 Credit) |
1 |
20 |
Or, for candidates taking a Language Option: |
|
|
|
PIA620 |
Contemporary World Arena (10 Credit) |
1 |
10 |
And |
|
|
|
Languages |
|
|
|
One 10-Credit module, to be taken in Semester 1, from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. Languages offered are: French; German; Mandarin Chinese; Spanish |
1 |
10 |
Part B – Degree Modules
EITHER
(a) Standard Route
(i) Compulsory Modules (total modular weight20 Credits)
Module Code |
Module Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
PIB605 |
Theories & Methods in Political Research |
1 |
10 |
PIB735 |
Understanding History |
1 |
10 |
PIB800 |
Research Design |
2 |
10 |
(ii) Other Modules (total modular weight 90 Credits)
Students should note that combinations of modules of the same titles but different credit-weightings are mutually exclusive.
Students should choose 90 Credits, of which 40 Credits must be from the History Component, and at least 30 Credits from the Politics Component.
Group 1 - History Component
Module Code |
Module Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
|
PIB714 |
Modern China in a Global Perspective |
1 |
20 |
|
PIB724 |
Slavery in Global History |
1 |
20 |
|
PIB728 |
Victorian Values Reconsidered |
1 |
20 |
|
PIB634 |
The American Century: US Politics & Society in the 20th Century |
2 |
20 |
|
PIB639 |
From Rebellion to Partition: British India 1857-1947 |
2 |
20 |
|
PIB712 |
Modern Germany: Recovery from Ruin, 1945 – present |
2 |
20 |
Group 2 - Politics Component
Module Code |
Module Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
PIB601 |
The European Union (20 Credit) |
1 |
20 |
PIB604 |
Comparative European Politics (20 Credit) |
1 |
20 |
PIB620 |
Comparative European Politics (10 Credit) |
1 |
10 |
PIB625 |
The European Union (10 Credit) |
1 |
10 |
PIB628 |
History of Political Thought (20 Credit) |
1 |
20 |
PIB632 |
Politics of Developing Countries |
2 |
20 |
PIB637 |
Political Simulation |
2 |
10 |
PIB638 |
The Politics of Star Wars |
2 |
20 |
Languages |
|
||
One or two 10-Credit modules, to be taken in Semesters 1 & 2, from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. Languages offered are: French; German; Mandarin Chinese; Spanish |
1 & 2 |
10/20 |
OR
(b) International Semester Route
Students may replace the modules required for Part B Semester 2 with an approved course of study taught in English at a foreign University. In Semester 2, students will undertake assessed work equivalent to 50 credits, as required by Politics and International Studies, along with a Distance Learning Research Design module. Students who opt for this route must ensure that they have selected a total of 60 Credits in Semester 1.
(i) Compulsory Modules (total modular weight 70 Credits)
Module Code |
Module Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
PIB735 |
Understanding History |
1 |
10 |
PIB001 |
International Semester |
2 |
50 |
PIB801 |
Research Design (Distance Learning) |
2 |
10 |
(ii) Optional Modules (total modular weight 50 Credits)
Students should choose a total modular weight of 20 Credits from the History component and 30 Credits from the Politics Component. Please note that modules in Group 3 count as either History or Politics.
Group 1 - History Component
Module Code |
Module Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
|
PIB714 |
Modern China in a Global Perspective |
1 |
20 |
|
PIB724 |
Slavery in Global History |
1 |
20 |
|
PIB728 |
Victorian Values Reconsidered |
1 |
20 |
Group 2 - Politics Component
Students should choose a total modular weight of 30 Credits from this component.
Module Code |
Module Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
PIB604 |
Comparative European Politics (20 Credit) |
1 |
20 |
PIB620 |
Comparative European Politics (10 Credit) |
1 |
10 |
PIB628 |
History of Political Thought (20 Credit) |
1 |
20 |
PIB601 |
The European Union (20 Credit) |
1 |
20 |
PIB625 |
The European Union (10 Credit) |
1 |
10 |
Languages |
|
|
|
One 10-Credit module, to be taken in Semester 1, from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. Languages offered are: French; German; Mandarin Chinese; Spanish |
1 |
10 |
Part I
Students will undertake one of the following approved study and/or work placements leading to the Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) or Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) in accordance with Regulation XI.
Code |
Title |
PII003 |
Diploma in Professional Studies (work placement) |
PII004 |
Diploma in International Studies (study abroad) |
LAN900 |
Diploma in International Studies (overseas work placement in a foreign language) |
GYI100 |
Year in Enterprise (DPS) |
GYI200 |
Professional Training Placement & Overseas Study (DIntS) |
Part C – Degree Modules
(i) Compulsory Module (total modular weight 40 Credits)
Module Code |
Module Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
PIC800 |
Dissertation |
1 & 2 |
40 |
(ii) Optional Modules (total modular weight 80 Credits)
Students should take 60 Credits in the History Component and 60 Credits in the Politics Component. The Dissertation weight of 40 Credits will be split equally between the two components, so students will need to choose 80 Credits of optional modules, 40 in each component.
History Component
Module Code |
Module Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
PIC665 |
Postwar Britain: The Start of the Decline |
1 |
20 |
PIC703 |
Revolution in the Head: The Beatles and Sixties Britain |
1 |
20 |
PIC713 |
Jim Crow, Bootleggers and Okies: American Cultural History 1890-1930 |
1 |
20 |
PIC714 |
The Soviet Security State, 1917 – present |
1 |
20 |
PIC716 |
Empire, War & Popular Culture in Britain, c.1880-1930 |
1 |
20 |
PIC719 |
Convicts and Kangaroos: Australia 1788-1868 |
2 |
20 |
PIC720 |
After Empire: South Asia since 1945 |
2 |
20 |
PIC721 |
Forgotten Fronts – The Second World War in East Asia |
2 |
20 |
Languages |
|
|
|
One or two 10-Credit modules, to be taken in Semesters 1 & 2, from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. Languages offered are: French; German; Mandarin Chinese; Spanish |
1 & 2 |
10/20 |
Politics Component
Module Code |
Module Title |
Semester |
Modular Weight |
PIC604 |
State, Violence & Terrorism |
1 |
20 |
PIC628 |
The Asia-Pacific in Global Politics |
1 |
20 |
PIC660 |
Contemporary Political Philosophy |
1 |
20 |
PIC677 |
Britain and the European Union |
1 |
20 |
PIC666 |
Gender & Politics |
2 |
20 |
PIC680 |
The Populist Challenge to Democracy |
2 |
20 |
PIC684 |
War in the 21st Century |
2 |
20 |
PIC685 |
Power, Politics & Participation in the Digital Age |
2 |
20 |
PIC687 |
The Politics of Militarism |
2 |
20 |
Languages |
|
|
|
One or two 10-Credit modules, to be taken in Semesters 1 & 2, from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. Languages offered are: French; German; Mandarin Chinese; Spanish |
1 & 2 |
10/20 |
5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award
5.1 In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX but also achieve a module mark of at least 30% in all modules in each Part.
5.2 Provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates who have the right of reassessment in any Part of the programme to undergo re-assessment in the University's special assessment period.
6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification
Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40%, Part C 60% to determine the final programme percentage mark.