MA Social and Political Thought

Year 1

(Award available for year: Master of Arts)

Learning outcomes

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

- demonstrate in-depth, specialist knowledge and mastery of social and political theory, social research methodology and more substantive debates, including a sophisticated understanding of concepts, information and techniques at the forefront of current research in this area;
- exhibit mastery in the exercise of advanced critical thinking and analytical techniques appropriate to developing a robust and sustained analysis of social and political realities;
- demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of theoretical and methodological tools and techniques as appropriate to advanced scholarship in the area of social and political thought;
- take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and to develop professional relationships with others;
- proactively formulate ideas, arguments and hypotheses relevant to the study of social and political realities and to develop, implement and execute plans by which to evaluate these reflexively;
- evaluate critically and creatively current issues, research and advanced scholarship in the area of social and political thought, especially within the tradition of critical theory, as relevant to the substantive content of the programme as appropriate to advanced scholarship in the discipline;
- design and conduct a piece of independent scholarly work or research project.

Transferable (key) skills

Masters (taught), Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate students will have had the opportunity to acquire the following abilities, as defined in the modules specified for the programme:

- self-directed learning and effective decision-making across a range of different research interests and within complex and unpredictable situations;
- independent learning skills and self-management, as necessary for the undertaking of a higher research degree and/or for employment in a higher capacity in industry or an area of professional practice;
- advanced communication skills, written, oral and C&IT, as well as developed presentation skills;
- analytical skills and Critical Thinking, including the evaluation of their own achievement in relation to identified learning outcomes, as well as the achievements of others;
- independent learning and the ability to work in a way which ensures continuing professional development.
- critical engagement in the development of professional/disciplinary boundaries and norms.

Assessment

Achievement for the degree of Master (taught programme) 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:

- evidencing an ability to conduct independent in-depth enquiry as relevant to analysis of international social and political transformation;
- demonstrating the ability to apply breadth and/or depth of knowledge to a complex specialist area in social and political research;
- drawing on a range of perspectives in explanations of social and political behaviour;
- evaluating and criticising received opinion;
- making reasoned judgements, whilst understanding the limitations on judgements made in the absence of complete data.