BA Politics and Social Policy (International)

Year 1

(Award available for year: Certificate of Higher Educ)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the Politics Joint Honours Degree programme students should have provided evidence of being able to:
- demonstrate grasp of basic concepts and theories relevant to understanding and explaining political processes
-demonstrate grasp of the basic fundamentals of political systems
- critically appraise key aspects of political systems and political concepts
- present structured arguments which develop sustained evaluation of key debates concerning political processes
- generate and support one’s own interpretation of political events or processes
-access and utilise key readings within the discipline of political analysis and cognate disciplines where appropriate
On completion of the Social Policy Joint Honours programme students should have provided evidence of being able to:
- demonstrate a familiarity with the basic concepts, information, practical competencies and techniques in Social Policy including the development and operation of the Welfare State;
- use basic generic and subject specific intellectual qualities i.e.
> be able to communicate the results of their work;
> present a structured and coherent simple argument in Social Policy;
> be able to interpret and evaluate the underlying concepts and principles of Social Policy;
- demonstrate an ability to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches associated with the discipline of Social Policy;
- appreciate their strengths and weaknesses as learners;
- demonstrate an awareness of the boundaries between Social Policy and other disciplines.

Transferable (key) skills

Joint Honours Politics:
Students will have had the opportunity to acquire, as defined in the modules specified for the programme:
- accessing library materials; accessing on-line materials; ability to construct and defend written arguments; ability to construct and defend orally presented arguments; ability to evaluate competing interpretations
- ability to organise time; to submit completed work to deadline; to work with others in completing set goals

Joint Honours Social Policy:
Students will have had the opportunity to acquire 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.

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 evaluate aspects of political systems, processes and theories/concepts
- preparing oral presentations which critically assess key political issues;

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 knowledge and application of standard concepts, information and techniques relevant to the discipline; - work that covers a restricted area of the discipline; - demonstrating emerging abilities, skills and competencies.