BA Politics and Social Policy

Year 2

(Award available for year: Diploma of Higher Education)

Learning outcomes

Joint Honours Politics:
On completion of the year/programme students should have provided evidence of being able to:

- Demonstrate in-depth grasp of one or more political systems
-Demonstrate in-depth grasp of one of more particular fields of political theory
- Demonstrate grasp of key approaches and methodologies used to analyse and research politics
- use theories and concepts to critically appraise key aspects of political systems, theories and processes
- Present structured and well-researched evaluation of key debates within the discipline of political analysis
-generate and support one’s own interpretations of key methodologies, theories and processes discussed within political analysis and cognate disciplines where appropriate
Joint Honours Social Policy:
In addition to the outcomes achieved in Year 1, on completion of the year/programme students should have provided evidence of being able to: - demonstrate a broad understanding of the concepts, information and techniques which are standard features in a range of aspects of the discipline; - apply generic and subject specific intellectual qualities to standard situations outside the context in which they were originally studied; - appreciate and employ the main methods of enquiry in the subject and critically evaluate the appropriateness of different methods of enquiry; - adjust to disciplinary boundaries; - effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms.

Transferable (key) skills

Joint Honours Politics:
Students will have had the opportunity to acquire, as defined in the modules specified for the programme:
- abilities to critically evaluate theories and concepts; abilities to complete research-based work tasks to deadline; abilities to access and analyse information form written and on-line sources
Joint Honours Social Policy:
Students will have had the opportunity to practise as defined in the modules specified for the programme: - qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment related to the subject area(s) studied - skills necessary for the exercising of personal responsibility - decision making

Assessment

Joint Honours Politics:
Achievement will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will include:
- completing essay/exam work in which students will provide well-researched and in-depth evaluation of political systems, processes and theories/concepts
Joint Honours Social Policy:
Achievement will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will include: - demonstrating the ability to apply a broad range of aspects/competencies of the discipline/profession to complex, albeit standard, situations and simple, albeit novel or atypical, instances; - work that is often descriptive in nature but drawing on a wide variety of material; - demonstrating basic professional competencies relevant to the discipline; - the ability to evaluate and criticise received opinion.

Learning context

The learning context for this year/award will be simple if unpredictable and complex if predictable. The study will be structured within a framework of tasks that provide breadth of study and proficiency in the application of concepts and techniques.