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- BA (Hons) Politics and Peace Studies
BA (Hons) Politics and Peace Studies
| UCAS codes: | L290 BA/PPS |
| Start Date | September |
| End Date | May |
| Overview | Politics and Peace Studies combines two complementary areas of study and research at the University of Bradford into a stimulating new degree, the only one of its kind presently in the UK. Politics is concerned with developing your knowledge and understanding of government and society in theory and practice. Political Science is a broad field with diverse elements, including political theory and the history of political ideas, political systems; institutions, their functioning and how they affect or may be affected by you, governance and democracy, participation, international relations and area studies. Peace Studies is a field of social science focused on the multi-level study of violence and conflict in a complex and increasingly inter-dependent world. Our focus leads us to a wide-ranging exploration and analysis of the converging crises of our times, from inter-state and civil wars; to state and non state violence; to terrorism; to poverty, inequality and marginalization; to the ethical implications of scientific and technological progress; to new forms of governance and international regimes for addressing arms proliferation, climate change and world poverty; to civic participation and democratic innovation; to social movements and global activism; and to exploring social differences around gender, class, race, ethnicity and their implications for building equitable human interactions. Peace Studies is truly a multidisciplinary undertaking. Our Department is founded on an understanding that no single discipline on its own is sufficient to comprehend the dynamics of issues as complex as war, world hunger, sustainable development and social justice, or problems as challenging as negotiating our differences in culture and belief. By studying BA Politics and Peace Studies at the Department of Peace Studies you will apply your political science knowledge and understanding to the more specialised and growing areas of peace studies, conflict analysis, conflict resolution, and development studies. The BA (Hons) in Politics and Peace Studies enables students to develop:
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| Entrance Requirements | Standard offer is 280 points plus For details of the UCAS points system, please see http://www.ucas.com/candq/tariff/ |
| Course Duration | 3 years full-time |
| Places Available | 65 |
| Tuition Fees |
Course Details
Syllabus
Our syllabus is strongly informed by the research our staff undertake - the Department of Peace Studies has an excellent international reputation in research across the range of discipline areas in which we offer BA degree awards.
Our courses are extremely flexible with all degrees (including Politics) sharing a common first year. First year core modules include: Introduction to Politics, Introduction to International Relations, Conflict and Cooperation, Introduction to Peace Studies, Sociology of Peace and Conflict and Introduction to Development. The common first year allows you to progress to a BA (Hons) in Stages Two and Three in any of our undergraduate awards (except Politics and Law): BA Conflict Resolution; BA Peace Studies; BA Development and Peace Studies; BA Politics and Peace Studies, and BA International Relations and Security Studies.
As a BA Politics student you are expected to take a core module in Year 2 (Political Theory and Peace) and write your Year 3 Dissertation on a topic of Politics. In addition, you can take any one of the dozens of optional modules available for the BA in Politics (examples Nationalism and Ethnicity in Modern Politics, Human Rights, International Terrorism, Development and Democracy, Global Governance, Religions, Peace and Conflict, Globalisation and the South, The Resurgence of Russia in International Relations, Unity and Diversity in Ethnically Mixed Societies, International Politics of the Environment).
Structure
The BA programme follows the university structure of 120 credits for each Stage, with 60 taken in each semester. All students may take up to 40 credits, over Stages Two and Three, from units offered by all Schools across the University.
In Stage Two, all students take 20 credits as compulsory course unit and 100 as options selected from identified pathways. In Stage Three, all students take the dissertation (60 credits) which must be in the area of specialisation. The remaining 60 credits are taken as options, selected from identified pathways. All units are available as options to all students.
Aim
The BA (Hons) in Politics and Peace Studies enables students to develop:
- an understanding of the main concepts in the fields of Politics and their application to contemporary issues;
- an understanding of the emergence, nature and significance of Politics as a distinct field of academic enquiry;
- an understanding of the nature of politics and the variety of processes and institutions through which power is exercised;
- an ability to evaluate different explanations of political processes and institutions.
Learning Outcome
The BA (Hons) in Politics and Peace Studies aims to:
- develop your knowledge and understanding of a coherent, current and intellectually stimulating body of theory and analysis;
- enable you to develop an independent, critical and scholarly approach to your field which will enable you to apply your knowledge and develop your understanding;
- encourage you to relate academic study to questions of public concern in the peace and conflict field;
- provide you with a curriculum supported by active scholarship, staff development and a research culture that promotes breadth and depth of intellectual enquiry and debate;
- help you to develop a valuable range of key skills and personal attributes for a wide variety of careers;
- provide you with a friendly and supportive learning environment.
When you have completed the BA in Politics and Peace Studies you will have acquired:
Discipline Skills
- an independent and critical ability to gather, organise and analyse relevant primary and secondary evidence or data so as to present coherent and clearly reasoned arguments which address specific problems;
- an ability to evaluate and engage effectively in key debates in the field
Personal Transferable Skills
- an ability to communicate effectively and fluently in speech and writing, use communication and information technology for the retrieval and presentation of information, work independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time-management and collaborate with others to achieve common goals.
Teaching Strategy
The teaching strategy takes into consideration the learning outcomes, progression through the levels of study, the nature of the subject and the student intake, and the need for you to take greater responsibility for your own learning as you progress through the course.
Lectures, small group work, simulations, training exercises, seminars and directed study are used to further your understanding of the subject matter, your own skill development and reflective abilities.
Assessment Strategy
Throughout the course, you will acquire skills that will be useful not only in Peace Studies, but in whatever profession you choose to follow. These will be taught, practised and assessed. Essay writing, group presentations, exams, projects, portfolios and reports are used as assessment methods in different modules. In your final year you will write a 12,000 - 15,000 word dissertation.
How to Apply
The traditional route for entry onto the degree course is with A-levels, but applications are also welcomed from candidates with qualifications equivalent to or superior to A-levels. In any case, each candidate is considered on his/her merits and we offer all candidates the opportunity to visit the Department and campus and meet staff and students. Overall, students without A-levels account for one third of our intake each year.
The standard admission offer is 280 points overall to include a minimum of two full A-levels. The remaining points can be gained from any combination (and number) of tariff-based qualifications, including Key Skills and General Studies. A-levels in a social science or modern history might help to prepare you for the degree, but the Department does not stipulate any particular subjects. The Department offers an interview to any students who don’t meet our standard requirements, and can therefore be more flexible about entry qualifications. The Department welcomes applications from students who have completed a BTEC National qualifications, or Scottish Framework Qualifications (280 points), or Irish Highers (A, B, B, B, B), or overseas examinations which show an equivalent level of attainment, (please enquire). Mature students, particularly those with Access courses are encouraged; those with experience and motivation should contact the Admissions Tutor for details of how prior learning and experience may be used during the admissions process.
The University requires all applicants to hold an English language qualification such as GCSE English Language grade C or above or an equivalent.
Apply From
OctoberApply Until
UCAS first deadline, usually 15 January. However, applications after this date will still be considered.Support and Study
The following resource will be provided for students
- Course Handbook (Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3)
- Email and internet connectivity
- Blackboard
- Lecture hand-outs
- Library resources
Students are expected to provide the following
Not applicable
Contact Hours
Approximately 280 hours lectures/seminars per year plus 12 hours tutorials per year, and the option of extra curricular activities organised within the Department.
Contact Pattern
There are traditionally four pillars to your contact with academic staff at the Department of Peace Studies: (1) lectures, (2) seminars and group work, (3) tutorials, and (4) consultations with academic staff in their office hours. Usually, there will be three hours of lectures/seminars each week for each 20-credit course unit. Seminars and group work give you the opportunity to explore and apply knowledge and concepts gained from lectures and your own study.
In the first year, you will meet with your personal tutor, once a week in a small group for one hour throughout the 1st Semester and once a fortnight through the 2nd Semester. Year 1 tutorials provide you with information, training and guidance on all aspects of academic work including essay writing, research and referencing. Tutorials are also a place to ask questions about the content of course units and study techniques. The overall objective is to support you. In Year 2, you will attend tutorials each week in semester 1 until week 6 - at this point you will decide with your tutor and tutor group how you want to continue to meet through the year (as a group, individually). In your third year, your personal tutor is your dissertation supervisor. You are recommended to see him/her at least once a fortnight to discuss your dissertation. However, your supervisor is also there to help you in discussing your plans for other coursework and revision, in reviewing your progress, which should be recorded on your Personal Development Profile and in discussing career options.
In addition, academic staff have times when they are available to students for consultation during term time.
Finally, we provide other types of contact which are voluntary, in the form of extra-curricular activities. These sessions offer great opportunities for you to have fun, and get experience, skills and knowledge that support and further your learning in the formal curriculum.
Study Hours
Six 20 credit modules per year x 200 hours, spread across two semesters. Each module is usually split with approximately 30 hours of contact time (lectures and seminars) and 170 hours per module of directed study time.
The Diploma in International Studies
We encourage you to consider an optional year of study abroad, taken between stage 1 and 2 or stage 2 and 3 of your degree at Bradford. You will be invited to various University events providing more information and will be formally introduced to opportunities in stage 1 in your 1st year Tutorial sessions.
You may take advantage of Study Abroad opportunities in three ways:
- through studying at one of our partner institutions;
- through studying at a University that does not have formal links with Bradford;
- through developing your own work plan through work, internships or other means; or
- through developing your own combination of work/study.
Whichever choice you make, you should plan to be abroad for 1 academic year.
The Department has formal links with universities in Europe and North America, as well as several exchange agreements that are currently being negotiated. Through the European Union Erasmus Scheme you can choose to study at partner institutions which offer classes in English and the local language as well as language classes.
Upon successful completion of your Study/Work Abroad year and successful submission of a reflective essay on your learning and development you will be awarded the Diploma in International Studies in recognition of your achievements.
Special Features
- Peace Studies at Bradford is amongst the best in the country in terms of teaching quality, with experienced professionals and modern, well-equipped facilities.
- The Guardian University Guide 2009 ranked it in the top 20 for Politics in the country
- Peace Studies at Bradford has a strong international reputation and is at the forefront of research and debate in both academic and policy arenas. Many of the staff have a global profile, and undertake regular media interviews, as well as advising governments, international organisations and non-governmental organisations around the world on their area of expertise
- Our courses are extremely flexible with the five Peace Studies degrees and the Politics degree sharing a common first year, at the end of which you choose your area of specialisation. Dozens of course modules are available to you, inside and outside the Department. Politics and Law students take their first-year politics modules in the Division of Peace Studies and core law modules in the School of Management. They then also choose from a wide range of options in both subjects
- With an intake of around 80 undergraduate students per year, you can be sure of a close-knit group and an atmosphere conducive to serious but enjoyable study. The Department gives academic and pastoral support to all students via a personal tutor and small tutor groups, something now rare in large politics or international relations departments. Our very own Student Liaison Officer organises lots of social events, seminars, debates, study tours and training events
Escalate
The Escalate Programme builds upon the University's core values of 'making knowledge work'. It aims to embed employer engagement throughout the institution and refocus its relationship with employers onto the higher level skills and continuing professional development needs of the future workforce.
By redefining and renegotiating its employer partnerships, the University plans to position itself as a key influencing and change agent in the District of Bradford and beyond.
The University has a consistent and long-standing record for students gaining successful positions after graduation. We already have excellent links with industry, commerce and the public sector with many of our courses practically orientated or leading to professional accreditation.
Through the Escalate Programme we will build on this track record and develop curriculum and delivery models in partnership with employers as a means of equipping today's workforce with the skills necessary to be globally competitive.
Ecoversity
The Ecoversity Programme aims to embed the principles and practice of sustainable development across the entire institution by getting people in involved, taking the lead on issues, and encouraging and making it easier for people to adopt sustainable behaviours and lifestyles.
Contact Details
For more information about this course, please contact Catherine and Karen in our Admissions Team by email ssisugadmissions@bradford.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0) 1274 23 3981Brochure
You can click here to view our brochure online or you can request a prospectus to be mailed to you by filling out our Prospectus order form
