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Programme Specification

PgDip Geopolitics

Academic Year 2022/23

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title PgDip Geopolitics Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Postgraduate Diploma
Programme Code POL-PD-GE UCAS Code HECoS Code 100668 - Political geography - 100
ATAS Clearance Required No
Mode of Study Part Time or Full Time
Type of Programme Postgraduate Length of Programme Part Time - 3 Academic Years
Full Time - 1 Academic Year
Total Credits for Programme 120
Exit Awards available No

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 7

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

N/A

Accreditations (PSRB)

No accreditations (PSRB) found.

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

No

Programme Specific Regulations

This programme follows the University's Regulations.

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Educational Aims Of Programme

The overall aim of the programme is to provide students with a systematic and comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of contemporary geopolitical issues by developing the knowledge and skills necessary to engaging the intersections of space, power and politics. This is particularly important in relation to pursuing careers in all sectors of government, NGOs, regional and international organisations, media, and many other fields.

In particular the programme will:
1) Provide advanced conceptual and analytic skills needed to engage the intersections of space, power and politics in a range of historic and contemporary issues.
2) Encourage students to develop a critical and analytical approach to problems shaping environments, places and landscapes; to challenge accepted wisdom about the role of spatiality in relation to political power in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
3) Enable students to engage with advanced research and analysis that registers the everyday and global geographies of power at work in a range of issues.
4) Enhance students transferable and intellectual skills and employability skills through independent learning and the pursuit of originality in tackling and solving problems.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

retrieve, sift and select information from a variety of sources

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students will acquire cognitive skills on all their taught modules through preparatory work and engagement in seminar debate and discussion.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework

comprehend and be able to deploy qualitative and quantitative research design

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Engaged particularly in the Research methods module (HAP7001) and integrated in other modules. This is developed further in the design and implementation of an independent research project (dissertation).

Methods of Assessment

Coursework

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate an appropriate familiarity with the range of key thinkers in the field of Geopolitics

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

All core modules would expose students to an extensive study of the leading thinkers in Geopolitics and students would be asked to demonstrate their understanding of this scholarship in their independent research.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework

Demonstrate an awareness of different methodological approaches, and a conceptual grasp of current research and advances of scholarship in the study of Geopolitics

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students will be taught a wide range of research methods in the field and would need to identify, critically evaluate and apply a range of methodologies

Methods of Assessment

Coursework

Demonstrate an appropriate awareness of theoretical debates, and an appreciation of analytical frameworks and historical evolution of the area

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

In their taught modules particular emphasis would be given to the study of theory. Students would then be required to reflect on their own theoretical approaches in their independent study.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework

Demonstrate comprehensive and systematic knowledge and understanding of the key issues in the study of Geopolitics

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students would be exposed to these issues through their study of the scholarship in this field. Their selection and development of an independent research would allow them to demonstrate and be assessed on their understanding of such issues.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Show evidence of understanding of the range of methodological approaches available to engage geopolitical issues; and be able to select appropriate techniques relative to overall research design.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students will acquire subject-specific skills (e.g. critical reasoning, identifying and solving problems) through participation in group seminars where they will engage in debate, discussion and listening, and in their assessments.
The modules will tap their ability to engage with key debates in the philosophy of social science and humanities, their ability to elaborate and critique a variety of social science and humanities research designs, their ability to communicate effectively the merits and demerits of qualitative and quantitative research and also to demonstrate an application of their knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research to real world geopolitical issues and problems.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework

Locate political problems in particular spatial contexts and critically reflect on their production and possibilities for intervention.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students will acquire subject-specific skills (e.g. critical reasoning, identifying and solving problems) through participation in group seminars where they will engage in debate, discussion and listening, and in their assessments.
The modules will tap their ability to engage with key debates in the philosophy of social science and humanities, their ability to elaborate and critique a variety of social science and humanities research designs, their ability to communicate effectively the merits and demerits of qualitative and quantitative research and also to demonstrate an application of their knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research to real world geopolitical issues and problems.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework

To apply conceptually informed forms of analysis to contemporary geopolitical problems and identify their practical political implications.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students will acquire subject-specific skills (e.g. critical reasoning, identifying and solving problems) through participation in group seminars where they will engage in debate, discussion and listening, and in their assessments.
The modules will tap their ability to engage with key debates in the philosophy of social science and humanities, their ability to elaborate and critique a variety of social science and humanities research designs, their ability to communicate effectively the merits and demerits of qualitative and quantitative research and also to demonstrate an application of their knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research to real world geopolitical issues and problems.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Constructively and critically engage the work of others

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Class discussions and debates and their independent preparation and coursework will develop skills in constructively and critically engaging the work of others, as well as self-reflection on their own work.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework

Find, analyse, synthesis and evaluate information from a range of different sources.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Through independent study and class preparations, peer engagement in class, dissertation supervision etc.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework

Work independently and in groups

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Their independent study (e.g. writing a dissertation; module coursework) will require working to deadlines, effective written communication, locating, sifting and prioritizing information, and time management. Seminars will include collaborative working and discussion.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework

Problem Solving

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Their experience in applying qualitative and quantitative approaches to real world political puzzles will be of invaluable use for them - either in further research or in their careers - when they conduct research into any social phenomenon.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework

Communication Skills

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students will be able to structure and communicate their ideas effectively both in oral and written form; through participation in all class activities and completion of the coursework.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Anthropology of Conflict: Ireland and Beyond ANT7023 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 80% 20% 0%
Theories in Comparative Politics PAI7038 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 90% 10% 0%
From Cold War to Cold Peace: The Transformation of the International Order, 1979-1999 PAI7058 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Critical Geopolitics GGY7001 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Geo-power: States, Sovereignty, Territory GGY7002 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Global Development PAI7103 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Social Injustice PHL7057 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Culture and the Geopolitics of the Everyday GGY7003 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
APPROACHES TO RESEARCH DESIGN HAP7001 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Engaging citizens in democratic institutions PAI7100 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 90% 10% 0%
Gender and Politics PAI7032 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Global Political Economy PAI7030 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Conflict Intervention PAI7027 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Ethnic conflict and consensus PAI7050 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Contemporary Security PAI7051 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
The UK and Europe PAI7099 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Religion and Peacebuilding CSJ7005 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Institutions and Politics of the European Union PAI7052 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
The Politics and Institutions of Northern Ireland PAI7021 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%

Notes

Students must take 120 credits - 6 MODULES (THREE in Semester 1 and THREE in Semester 2)
Students are required to take THREE CORE modules (TWO in Semester 1 and ONE in Semester 2).
Students are required to take TWO optional modules in Semester 2.

“Students will be notified each academic year of the optional modules being offered in the following academic year. Students are advised that not all optional modules will necessarily be offered in each academic year. Also, the delivery of a module may be subject to a minimum number of enrolments as well as unforeseen circumstances (e.g. illness of a member of staff). The range and content of optional modules will change over time as degree programmes develop and students’ choice of optional modules may also be limited due to timetabling constraints.“