Skip to Content

detail

MA Politics

Academic Year 2020/21

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 and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.

Programme Title

MA Politics

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Master of Arts

Programme Code

POL-MA-PO

UCAS Code

HECoS Code

100491

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

Interview Required

Mode of Study

Part Time

Type of Programme

Postgraduate

Length of Programme

3 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

180

Exit Awards available

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)

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

During the programme, students will develop intellectual skills (e.g. critical reasoning, analysis, interpretation); practical skills, (e.g. retrieving and sifting information); and transferable skills (e.g. time management, teamwork, effective communication).
This MA gives students the opportunity to engage with core theories, concepts, issues and debates in politics.
In this programme students will have the opportunity to study key issues in contemporary politics and normative theory, British Politics, Irish Politics, European Politics, International Relations, Policy, and Comparative Ethnic Conflict (depending on module choice).
In addition, students will develop their independent research skills through the MA dissertation.

This MA gives students the opportunity to engage with core theories, concepts, issues and debates in politics.

In this programme students will have the opportunity to study key issues in contemporary politics and normative theory, Irish Politics, International Relations, and Comparative Ethnic Conflict (depending on module choice).

In addition, students will develop their independent research skills through the MA dissertation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

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

The learner will be able to solve problems, process and prioritize a wide variety of information, and express arguments and positions in oral and written form.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

communication (presentations, written assignments, teamwork);

Methods of Assessment

Transferable skills will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios and tutorial contributions.

The MA Politics provides postgraduate learners with the opportunity to acquire and develop generic analytical, reasoning, literacy and communication skills that will be beneficial for further employment, research or study.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The MA in Politics enables postgraduate learners to develop a broad portfolio of skills which will enhance their employability and/or provide them with a sound basis for progression to further research at doctoral level or elsewhere. The learner will develop skills in the following areas:

Methods of Assessment

Transferable skills will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios and tutorial contributions.

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

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

At the end of the programme learners will have the capacity to be self reflexive and practice sound judgement, and will possess the necessary skills to enhance their ability, think critically and pursue independent research.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The modules within the programme are laid out to foster the development of the above cognitive skills, and are delivered through a variety of teaching methods including formal lectures, small group tutorials and seminars, many of which will be enhanced by learning aids such as power point presentations and handouts.

Methods of Assessment

These general cognitive skills will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios, dissertations and tutorial contributions.

At the end of the programme learners will have the capacity to be self reflexive and practice sound judgement, and will possess the necessary skills to enhance their ability, think critically and pursue independent research.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The learner will enhance their skills and confidence through oral and written assignments, discussion groups, team tasks and independent research.

Methods of Assessment

These general cognitive skills will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios, dissertations and tutorial contributions.

The MA in Politics provides postgraduate learners with the opportunity to develop generic analytical, reasoning, literacy and communication skills.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The MA Politics enables postgraduate learners to further develop generic analytical, reasoning, literacy and communication skills.

Methods of Assessment

These general cognitive skills will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios, dissertations and tutorial contributions.

The learner will be able to solve problems, process and prioritize a wide variety of information, and express arguments and positions in oral and written form.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The learner will be able to develop problem solving and information processing strategies, as well as general methodological and theoretical approaches.

Methods of Assessment

These general cognitive skills will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios, dissertations and tutorial contributions.

The learner will develop their basic knowledge of the general methodological and theoretical approaches of Politics as well as enhance their basic history of the discipline and knowledge of its specific concepts, issues and vocabulary.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self reflection and evaluation will further enhance the critical thinking, sound judgement and independence of the learner

Methods of Assessment

These general cognitive skills will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios, dissertations and tutorial contributions.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

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

At the end of the programme learners will have the capacity to be self reflexive and practice sound judgement, and will possess the necessary skills to enhance their ability to think critically and pursue independent research.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

This broad portfolio of skills will be delivered through a variety of teaching methods including formal lectures, small group tutorials and seminars, many of which will be enhanced by learning aids such as power point presentations and handouts.

Methods of Assessment

Transferable skills will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios and tutorial contributions.

At the end of the programme learners will have the capacity to be self reflexive and practice sound judgement, and will possess the necessary skills to enhance their ability to think critically and pursue independent research.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

the ability to work independently.

Methods of Assessment

Transferable skills will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios and tutorial contributions.

At the end of the programme learners will have the capacity to be self reflexive and practice sound judgement, and will possess the necessary skills to enhance their ability to think critically and pursue independent research.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

career management (including building a learning portfolio and developing a CV);

Methods of Assessment

Transferable skills will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios and tutorial contributions.

At the end of the programme learners will have the capacity to be self reflexive and practice sound judgement, and will possess the necessary skills to enhance their ability to think critically and pursue independent research.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

time management skills (working to deadlines, prioritizing demands);

Methods of Assessment

Transferable skills will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios and tutorial contributions.

At the end of the programme learners will have the capacity to be self reflexive and practice sound judgement, and will possess the necessary skills to enhance their ability to think critically and pursue independent research.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

IT skills (including Powerpoint, use of the internet as a research tool, Queens Online);

Methods of Assessment

Transferable skills will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios and tutorial contributions.

At the end of the programme learners will have the capacity to be self reflexive and practice sound judgement, and will possess the necessary skills to enhance their ability to think critically and pursue independent research.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

interpersonal skills (small group or team work activities, debate, discussion);

Methods of Assessment

Transferable skills will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios and tutorial contributions.

At the end of the programme learners will have the capacity to be self reflexive and practice sound judgement, and will possess the necessary skills to enhance their ability to think critically and pursue independent research.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

writing skills (note-taking, organizational skills, logical progression of argument, the ability to gather information from a wide range of both contemporary and archival sources, prioritizing information, independent research)

Methods of Assessment

Transferable skills will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios and tutorial contributions.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

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

The course's carefully structured interdisciplinary framework further makes the MA an appropriate basis for those wishing to proceed to doctoral work.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Learning methods to this effect include locating and organizing information, small group work and teamwork, tutorial participation, written assignments, debate and discussion, and a substantial piece of independent research.

Methods of Assessment

Learners will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative means, including essays, exams, journals, portfolios, dissertations and tutorial contributions.

to equip students with a set of key, subject, employability and transferable skills; to encourage a professional attitude towards self-organisation; and to provide students with the intellectual tools to reflect upon the subject of Politics both by theoretical explorations of the nature of Politics and by comparisons between societies.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

While these teaching and assessment methods are intended to deliver information to the students and test their knowledge of that information, it is expected that students at the postgraduate level will engage with knowledge on their own terms and develop the skills and confidence to independently process and understand that knowledge.

Methods of Assessment

Learners will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative means, including essays, exams, journals, portfolios, dissertations and tutorial contributions.

It further provides students with a knowledge and understanding of the core debates in the subject, and fosters an attitude of self-motivated and independent learning;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Learners will participate in teaching methods that include formal lectures, small group tutorials and seminars, many of which will be enhanced by learning aids such as power point presentations and handouts.

Methods of Assessment

Learners will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative means, including essays, exams, journals, portfolios, dissertations and tutorial contributions.

It enables students to research political phenomena, events and arguments/ideas

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

It helps them to build on their existing knowledge and understanding acquired at the undergraduate level.

Methods of Assessment

Learners will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative means, including essays, exams, journals, portfolios, dissertations and tutorial contributions.

The MA in Politics provides a grounding in the key issues in contemporary politics and normative theory, British Politics, Irish Politics, European Politics, International Relations Policy and Comparative Ethnic Conflict (depending on modules chosen).

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The MA Politics enables postgraduate learners to develop knowledge and understanding of the key areas of Politics

Methods of Assessment

Learners will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative means, including essays, exams, journals, portfolios, dissertations and tutorial contributions

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

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

Graduates in the MA Politics will have developed a number of subject specific skills (depending on modules chosen).

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The MA Politics encourages postgraduate learners to develop specific knowledge and understanding about Politics.

Methods of Assessment

The methods used to assess this knowledge include a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios, dissertations and tutorial contributions.

They will also be able to evaluate different interpretations of political issues and events.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The teaching methods used to embed this knowledge and understanding include formal lectures, small group tutorials and seminars, many of which will be enhanced by learning aids such as power point presentations and handouts.

Methods of Assessment

The methods used to assess this knowledge include a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios, dissertations and tutorial contributions

They will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of different political systems, the nature and distribution of power in them; the social, economic, historical and cultural contexts within which they operate, and the relationships between them.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The teaching methods used to embed this knowledge and understanding include formal lectures, small group tutorials and seminars, many of which will be enhanced by learning aids such as power point presentations and handouts.

Methods of Assessment

The methods used to assess this knowledge include a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios, dissertations and tutorial contributions

They will have learned how to apply concepts, theories and methods used in the study of politics to the analysis of political ideas, institutions and practices.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The teaching methods used to embed this knowledge and understanding include formal lectures, small group tutorials and seminars, many of which will be enhanced by learning aids such as power point presentations and handouts.

Methods of Assessment

The methods used to assess this knowledge include a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios, dissertations and tutorial contributions

They will be able to understand the nature and significance of politics as a human activity.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The teaching methods used to embed this knowledge and understanding include formal lectures, small group tutorials and seminars, many of which will be enhanced by learning aids such as power point presentations and handouts.

Methods of Assessment

The methods used to assess this knowledge include a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios, dissertations and tutorial contributions

MODULE INFORMATION

Programme Requirements

Module Title

Module Code

Level/ stage

Credits

Availability

Duration

Pre-requisite

 

Assessment

 

 

 

 

S1

S2

 

 

Core

Option

Coursework %

Practical %

Examination %

Dissertation

PAI9099

7

60

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 UK and Europe

PAI7099

7

20

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

The Politics and Political Economy of Energy and Low Carbon Energy Transitions

PAI7036

7

20

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Gender and Politics

PAI7032

7

20

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

The Politics of the Republic of Ireland

PAI7022

7

20

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

40%

0%

60%

The Politics of Northern Ireland

PAI7021

7

20

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Democratic Challenges

PAI7098

7

20

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

International Political Economy

PAI7030

7

20

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Theories in Comparative Politics

PAI7038

7

20

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

90%

10%

0%

Global Ethics

PHL7056

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%

Philosophy of Conflict and War

PHL7038

7

20

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Notes

Students must take 180 credits - 6 MODULES (THREE in Semester 1 and THREE in Semester 2) PLUS the MA Dissertation (60 credits).
Students are required to take THREE CORE modules (semester 1 PLUS the MA Dissertation).
Students are required to take ONE further OPTIONAL Semester 1 module PLUS choose AT LEAST TWO OPTIONAL modules from the following FOUR (PAI7022, PAI7032, PAI7052 and PAI7100) PLUS an ADDITIONAL module from the list below if necessary.

“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.“