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Postgraduate Programme Specification

MA International Relations

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 MA International Relations Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Master of Arts
Programme Code POL-MA-IP UCAS Code HECoS Code 100490 - International relations - 50
101288 - International studies - 50

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

--

Interview Required

--

Mode of Study Full Time or Part Time
Type of Programme Postgraduate Length of Programme Full Time - 1 Academic Year
Part Time - 3 Academic Years
Total Credits for Programme 180
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)

N/A

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

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

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).

In this programme students will have the opportunity to study key issues in contemporary International Relations including theory and methodology; changes and emerging structures of governance beyond the state; and contemporary debates and political decision-making surrounding the politics of globalisation (depending on module choice).

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

Learning Outcomes

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

Self-reflexivity and critical thinking will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios, dissertations and tutorial contributions

The learner will have the opportunity to acquire knowledge and understanding about the history of the discipline and knowledge of its specific concepts, issues and vocabulary.

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

The acquisition of knowledge and understanding specific to the discipline will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essays, exams, journals, portfolios, dissertations and tutorial contributions

The learner will enhance their knowledge of the general methodological and theoretical approaches to key issue areas of the discipline.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Self reflection and evaluation will further enhance the critical thinking, sound judgement and independence of the learner, and will be central to all modules.

Methods of Assessment

The acquisition of knowledge and understanding specific to the discipline 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

Opportunities to develop problem solving and information processing strategies, as well as general methodological and theoretical approaches, will occur throughout the programme on all modules and through independent study.

Methods of Assessment

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

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

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Opportunities to develop generic analytical, reasoning, literacy and communication skills will occur throughout the programme on all modules and through independent study.

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:

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

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The MA in International Relations 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 through engagement with module content, group projects, seminar discussion, independent learning, presentations, debate and discussion, and informal networking with peers.

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 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 MA in International Relations provides a number of teaching methods to deliver key skills including 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.

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.

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

and 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.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

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

The MA International Relations provides postgraduate learners with an in depth and extensive interdisciplinary understanding of contemporary international affairs in its political, historical, cultural, economic and legal dimensions.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The MA International Relations enables postgraduate learners to develop in depth and extensive knowledge and understanding of key skills required for the study and practice of International Relations.

Methods of Assessment

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

Dedicated modules introduce the postgraduate learner to core concepts and key debates in International Relations, Governance and International Security.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

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

The Postgraduate learner will deepen his/her knowledge and understanding of differing national polities and 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.

The program is geared at facilitating the development of culturally sensitive cross-national comparisons.

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.

The degree fosters an attitude of self-motivated and independent learning; equips learners with key subject and transferable skills; and encourages independent research and therefore a professional attitude towards self-organisation.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Independent and self-motivated learning will be encouraged in all aspects of the programme, and especially in each module

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:

Upon completion of the program the learner will be well versed with the methodology, the historiography and the basic approaches to International Politics and be able to research independently using the expert language of the subject.

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

The program will enhance the existing understanding of comparative methods, theoretical models, political sociology and historical textual analysis.

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.

The learner will acquire competency in specific areas such as the analysis of political decision-making, International History and International Security.

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.

The program will furthermore provide a firm grounding in the study the emerging structures of governance beyond the nation-state

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.

It will introduce the learner not only to the specialist literature of the field, but to key debates in contemporary international relations theory and methodology.

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.

The MA International Relations will enhance the postgraduate learner's generic skills of the subject

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The MA International Relations enables postgraduate learners to develop specific subject skills of the discipline of International Relations

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

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
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%
The UK and Europe PAI7099 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 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%
Social Injustice PHL7057 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Global Development PAI7103 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Freedom and modernity PAI7059 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Global Ireland PAI7102 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 90% 10% 0%
Institutions and Politics of the European Union PAI7052 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Contemporary Security PAI7051 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Theories and Issues in International Politics PAI7026 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%
Global Terrorism PAI7007 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Conflict Intervention PAI7027 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Global Political Economy PAI7030 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%
Gender and Politics PAI7032 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Dissertation PAI9099 7 60 -- 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 FOUR CORE modules (TWO in semester 1 and ONE in semester 2 AND the MA Dissertation (summer). Students must also choose AT LEAST ONE of PAI7051 (semester 1) and PAI7007 (semester 2).
Students are required to take THREE OPTIONAL modules (ONE in semester 1, if PAI7051 is not taken and TWO OPTIONAL modules in semester 2 (ONE if PAI7007 is taken).

Students should normally have passed all taught modules prior to progression to the dissertation.

“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.“