Programme And Module Handbook
 
Programme Specification


Date Specification Approved
College College Arts and Law
School History and Cultures
Department History
Partner College and School Political Sci & Intern'tl Stud
Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title B.A. History and Political Science with Year Abroad Full-time
Programme Code 576E
Delivery Location Campus
Language of Study English
Length of Programme 4 Year(s)
Accreditations This programme has no outside accreditations
Aims of the Programme This programme provides students with the opportunity to combine study of the human past with that of another discipline in equal proportions. This specification refers to the 60 credits that a Joint Honours History student will pursue under the jurisdiction of the Department of History during each year of his/her programme. The 60 credits acquired at each level from the other Joint Honours discipline is detailed in the relevant department’s own documentation.
The History programme aims to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of historical events and processes, as well as to develop analytical and critical capacities of a high order. Though the programme concentrates on medieval and modern Europe including Britain and Ireland (c.400-c.2000), considerable attention is also paid to global history, particularly that of Asia, Africa and North America. Students studying History as a joint degree will have the opportunity to study the full range of periods and areas offered by the Department of History. Students will be able to study history of varying types and approaches, including at least some of the following: political, social, economic, cultural, religious, military and diplomatic.
The year abroad will provide students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the society and culture of a foreign country while gaining experience of a different academic environment and way of teaching. The year abroad also provides an opportunity for students to improve their existing language proficiency (where applicable) as well as enhancing their organisation and communication skills and their employability through a proven ability to succeed in a foreign setting. Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS)

The development of students' political analysis skills is central to the Birmingham Political Science degree. Core modules at each level have been designed progressively to develop them. They are then applied and developed in a range of optional modules. Core 'research' modules at levels one and two also help to draw out and emphasise the generic applications of these skills. The core 'research' and 'analysis' modules are designed to prepare students for their final year dissertations, to which the department attaches considerably significance, reflected in its weight in the final degree result.

Programme Outcomes
Students are expected to have Knowledge and Understanding of: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
The scope and contested nature of International Relations
(Various) foundations of and approaches to international theory and analysis
The broad range and historical development of international theory
Relevant research methodologies
The process of conducting research
Specialist areas of international relations
the primary trends in the political, social, economic, cultural and religious development of Europe and the wider world during the medieval and modern periods
a broad body of historical information characterised by geographical range and chronological depth with special attention to Europe and the wider world
a range of sources available to historians (including textual primary evidence) and an awareness of their limitations
the historiographical development of core debates in history, and an appreciation of the reasons for continued controversies
the core analytical skills deployed by historians, including skills of interpretation, corroboration and evaluation
conceptual, theoretical and ideological influences on historical events and on their interpretation, with particular emphasis on political, cultural and socio-economic development
1-6: Lectures, seminars, tutorials, presentations, individual and group project work
Lectures, seminars, group research projects and virtual learning environments
1-6: Essays, unseen examinations, take-home examinations, oral examinations, individual presentations, group project/presentations, research outline, research project (dissertation)
Written formative and summative coursework of varying length and type, from short source exercises to essays of up to 2500 words each; unseen timed examinations; collaborative research projects
Students are expected to have attained the following Skills and other Attributes: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
Writing skills
Oral communication skills
Skills of critical analysis and argument
Group work
Time management
Independent research skills
Modern Languages and Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS)

Independent study skills (self-organisation, initiative and self-direction; time management; autonomous research skills; the ability to collect, organise, synthesise and evaluate information; planning, drafting and editing) The ability to produce an extended piece of academic writing, drawing on independent study skills acquired on the programme
Modern Languages and Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS)

Transferable skills relevant to employment, including problem-solving, self-reliance, initiative, adaptability, flexibility, resilience, self-motivation, and competences such as note-taking, the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, ability to use and manipulate digital resources and to present information and ideas effectively using ICT.
Modern Languages and Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS)

Ability to summarise, synthesise, analyse and evaluate others’ arguments, and to formulate their own logical and structured arguments, normally both orally and in writing, with appropriate supporting evidence. both in English and in the target language(s)
Modern Languages and Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS)

Ability to work as a member of a team in a range of contexts, including the capacity to listen, to respond flexibly to feedback, to understand diverse perspectives, and to negotiate solutions collectively
display awareness of and empathy for historical context;
assimilate and synthesise historical evidence;
understand the process of historical validation and its limitations;
evaluate historical evidence and arguments; draw reasoned conclusions from contested historical evidence;
formulate questions and hypotheses of interest and importance to historians, including those which entail comparative analysis over time and /or space;
evaluate and apply historical concepts and models;
understand relevant methods and concepts from other related disciplines, such as, for example, archaeology, economics and sociology, and apply them where appropriate to the study of history;
exercise intellectual autonomy; record information accurately and efficiently;
work confidently with elementary IT packages aimed at supporting the retrieval, storage, analysis and presentation of information;
interpret and analyse information of various formats and types, including printed and non-printed texts;
identify, collect, synthesise and evaluate information from a range of sources;
plan and execute a research project as part of a group; communicate ideas and arguments effectively both orally and in writing; exercise disciplined imagination in response to problems; display intellectual flexibility in the face of reasoned argument;
work effectively under time-constraints; work constructively as part of a team; show a capacity for independent working;
engage in self-evaluation in order to construct and pursue individual learning goals and personal development objectives.
To achieve an enhanced cultural awareness through direct interactions with society and institutions in another country
Lectures, seminars, tutorials, presentations, individual and group project work. Modern Languages and Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS)

1. Attendance at plenaries and/or engagement with online environment, reading and contribution to seminars and tutorials, regular written exercises. Use of the University Library and artistic collections, IT and other information sources. Individual and group project work

2. By definition, language work and content modules involve new, ‘difficult’ material that requires the independent application and ownership of techniques taught in classes and lectures if it is to be understood fully and mastered. An emphasis on close analysis is intended to broaden the range and sophistication of students’ interpretations of material, and to allow students to produce not so much expositions as substantiated arguments and positions. Problem Based Learning (PBL) exercises, presentations, group project work and other forms of independent learning are germane to all parts of the programme. The Year Abroad offers a particular opportunity for the development of independent capability, personally as well as linguistically and intellectually. A range of formative assessment modes are used throughout the degree.
Coverage of Modern Languages professions is built into all core language modules. Opportunities for work experience may be acquired through non-credit bearing summer placements (Year 2) and/ or placements followed during the Year Abroad. Individual and group project work

3. Target language seminars combined with extensive reading and other forms of exposure to and practice in the target language(s).
Residence abroad (– n/a for 3 year programme). Attendance at plenaries and/or engagement with online environment, reading and contribution to seminars and tutorials, regular written exercises. Use of the University Library, IT and other information sources. Individual and group project work

4. Contribution to seminars and tutorials; discussion of formative presentations, group work
Lectures, seminars, group research projects and virtual learning environments; Year Abroad
Methods of assessment include: Essays, unseen examinations, take-home examinations, individual presentations, group project/presentations, research outline and research project (dissertation) Modern Languages and Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS)

1. Coursework (essays, dissertation, project work, oral presentations, target language projects, e-assessment portfolios), unseen written examinations, oral/aural examinations. Formative e-assessments and student-led research. group project/presentations, research outline, research project (dissertation)
2. Coursework (essays, dissertation, project work, oral presentations, target language projects, e-assessment portfolios), unseen written examinations, oral/aural examinations. Formative e-assessments and student-led research. Group project/presentations, research outline, research project (dissertation)
3. Coursework (essays, dissertation, project work, oral presentations, target language projects, e-assessment portfolios), unseen written examinations, oral/aural examinations. Formative e-assessments and student-led research. group project/presentations, research outline, research project (dissertation)
4. Contribution to seminars and tutorials; discussion of formative presentations, group work
Written formative and summative coursework of varying length and type, from short source exercises to essays of up to 2500 words each; unseen timed examinations; collaborative research projects; Year Abroad module