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Programme Specification for International Development BA (Hons)

 

Final award

BA (Hons)

Intermediate awards available

Cert HE, Dip HE

UCAS code

L920 - Level 1 entry (3 Year full time route)
L901 - Level 0 entry (Extended 4 year full time route)

Details of professional body accreditation

N/A

Relevant QAA Benchmark statements

Sociology, Media, Cultural & Communication Studies

Date specification last up-dated

April 2012

Profile

The summary - UCAS programme profile

BANNER BOX:

The programme is designed to provide students with a detailed and broad understanding of the lived experience of ‘Third World’/Developing societies and International Development.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The minimum requirements for entry for Level 1 entry is 240 UCAS tariff points from:
A/AS level (Including 2 A2 passes), GNVQ, AVCE, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate. European Baccalaureate, BTEC / SCOTEC Diploma, Relevant Access Course or successful completion of the Level 0. Other qualifications, including overseas, may be considered.

Applicants who do not fulfil the admission requirements for Level 1 may be considered for entry into Level 0. Applicants should have 40 UCAS tariff points from GCE A2 or equivalent.

We also welcome applications from mature students who do not have formal qualifications but may have relevant experience. Students applying to this programme will be expected to demonstrate a specific interest in this area of study and should have a commitment to engaging with the subject. Applicants may be invited for interview.

Overseas Qualifications

The number of overseas qualifications which are accepted for entry are too numerous to list, but you can get advice from the British Council or our admissions unit on 020 8223 2835. You must be able to understand and express yourself in both written and spoken English and some evidence e.g. For level 1 entry a TOEFL score of 550 or an IELTS score of 6.0 (no skill level below 5) and for Level 0 entry an IELTS score of 5.5 (no skill level below 5) would be required.

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

What is International Development?

The majority of the world's people live in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East. International Development Programme is concerned with the study of their societies, and the relationship between them and the rest of the world. The area is interdisciplinary, drawing on the insights of economics, politics, sociology, cultural studies and history to understand the nature of what has been termed the Third World. The main themes are 'globalisation' and 'development'. What do these terms mean? Is globalisation 'good' or 'bad' for developing countries? What kind of globalisation would be better? Is development desirable?

International Development at UEL

The programme challenges the assumption that development is a purely economic phenomenon. A special emphasis is given to the lived experience of Third World and developing countries with detailed discussions of gender relations, popular culture and politics. The programme then considers the extent to which the ‘Third World’ is an integral part of 'global' society and the ways in which its cultures have helped to shape the societies of the West. Students taking International Development are encouraged to travel to Africa, Asia, Latin and Central America. To this end we operate a semester abroad scheme in cooperation with universities in developing countries.

Programme structure

The Programme offers September entry.

3 Years FT/5 years PT. International Development may be studied as a major, joint or minor component of a Combined Honours Degree and is also part of Modern Humanities.

Learning environment

Lectures, seminars, workshops, study-support groups, personal tutorials.

Assessment

Students are assessed individually through class tests, essays, book reviews, group works, presentations and project work.

Work experience/placement opportunities

As part of an approved semester abroad scheme, students may travel overseas. The semester abroad is open to students in their final year. For one semester, the student can study at an approved university in Asia, Africa, Latin America or the Middle East. In some cases students from these countries study at UEL. This provides an opportunity to engage with different culture and to study at first hand many of the concepts and theories learned in the programme.

Project work

Projects and group presentations form part of assessment on some modules of study.

Added value

  • The semester abroad scheme,
  • Placements with work experience in UEL’s NGO - ChildReach International

IS THIS THE PROGRAMME FOR ME?

If you are interested in...

  • Culture;
  • Politics;
  • Sociology;
  • Humanities;
  • Social sciences;
  • Economics;
  • Anthropology

If you enjoy...

  • Thinking about the processes that shape global events;
  • Discussing contemporary and historical events that shape ‘development’;
  • Meeting a diverse group of students (many of whom are from developing countries);
  • Acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in ‘development’;

If you want...

  • to acquire or enhance skills in critical thinking about world events and processes;
  • to develop study and research skills essential for higher degree study (analytical reading and note-taking, essay planning and writing, reports, independent thinking, problem solving, coherent reasoning, academic writing);
  • the opportunity to work in ‘development’;

Your future career

The intellectual and practical skills, critical thinking and discussions on contemporary policy and historical processes provided by the degree prepare students for a wide range of work in ‘development’ and related careers. Specialists in International/Third World Development work as professionals in the development field: in development agencies, aid and relief organisations, as well as human rights, charitable and voluntary bodies. Their degrees will also provide a good basis for postgraduate study in development or associated fields. Graduates also go on to work as Third World specialists in a wide range of organisations which are not primarily devoted to Development, for example in the media, education, and trans-national companies.

How we support you

Each student will have a personal tutor responsible for providing regular guidance and support in relevant areas of personal and academic life. In addition, students will have regular access to academic tutors on each of their modules. Additional support for study and research skills will be available in weekly workshops and via the School’s Student Support & Referral Unit.

Bonus factors

  • The opportunity to take a semester to study abroad
  • Work placement with UEL’s NGO - Childreach

Outcomes

Programme aims and learning outcomes

What is this programme designed to achieve?

This programme is designed to give students the opportunity to:

Enjoy a stimulating and engaging understanding of the contemporary and historical processes of social, economic, political and cultural change that have shaped the 'Third World'.

What will you learn?

Knowledge

  • What have been the important social, economic, political and cultural processes that have shaped the ' Third World '.
  • How useful different social and economic policies might be for 'Third World Development'.

Thinking skills

  • how to evaluate different points of view.
  • how to summarise arguments.
  • how to develop your own point of view in relation to specified debates

Skills for life and work (general skills)

  • how to organise and manage a workload effectively
  • how to locate and select sources of information for written work/research
  • how to work collaboratively
  • how to give oral presentations

Structure

The programme structure

Introduction

All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.

One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).

Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:

  • 0 - equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
  • 1 - equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
  • 2 - equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
  • 3 - equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
  • M - equivalent in standard to a Masters degree

Credit rating

The overall credit-rating of this programme is 360 credits.

Typical duration

The typical duration of this programme is three years full-time or five years part-time. It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.

How the teaching year is divided

The teaching year begins in September and ends in June, but some programmes also allow students to join at the start of Semester B, in February. February entry is also possible. A typical full-time student will study the equivalent of 120 credits over the year. A typical part-time student will study for one day and one evening per week and will complete 60-80 credits.

What you will study when

This programme is part of a modular degree scheme. A typical full-time student will take six 20 credit modules per year. An honours degree student will complete six modules at level one, six at level 2 and six at level 3.

It is possible to bring together modules from one subject with modules from another to produce a combined programme. Subjects are offered in a variety of combinations:

  • Single - 120 credits at levels one, two and three
  • Major - 80 credits at levels one, two and three
  • Joint - 60 credits at levels one, two and three
  • Minor - 40 credits at levels one, two and three

Modules are defined as:

  • Core - Must be taken
  • Option - Select from a range of identified modules within the field
  • University wide option - Select from a wide range of modules across the University

The following are the core and optional requirements for the single and major pathways for this programme

Level 1 Entry

LEVELMODULE CODETITLECREDITSTATUS
SINGLE
STATUS
MAJOR
STATUS JOINTSTATUS MINOR

1

 AI1201

Poverty, inequality and development

20

Core

Core

 Core

Core 

1

 AI1202

Imperialism: economy, state and war

20

Option

Option

 Option

N/A 

1

 CC1205

MediaLab 1: Three Worlds Apart

20

Option

Option

 Option

N/A 

1

 CC1401

Patterns in imperial history

20

Option

Option

 Option

N/A 

1

 AI1000

Study Skills in Anthropology, International Development and International Politics

20

Core

Core

 Option

N/A 

1

 AI1302

Politics, state and society

20

Option

Option

 Option

N/A 

1

 AI1111

Introduction to Anthropology

20

Option

Option

 Option

N/A 

1

 AI1203

Political Economy of International Development

20

Core

Core

 Core

Core 

1

 AI1206

The International Order

20

Core

Option

Option

N/A 

1

 AI1306

Issues and Approaches to International Relations

20

Option

Option

 Option

N/A 

1

 AI1205

Introduction to NGO management

20

Option

Option

 N/A

N/A 

2

 AI2201

Development Theory & Practice & Employability skills

20

Core

Core

 Option

N/A 

2

 AI2205

Refugees, migration and development

20

Option

Option

 Option

Option 

2

 CC2404

Nation & Empire in a Global Age

20

Option

Option

 Option

Option 

2

 IS2503

Fundraising for Social Enterprises and Community Organisations

20

Option

Option

 Option

Option 

2

 AI2204

Globalisation: Anti, Alter and Development

20

Core

Core

 Core

Core 

2

 AI2206

Sustainable Development

20

Option

Option

 Option

Option 

2

 AI2203

Colonialism: Development, culture and resistance

20

Core

Core

 Option

N/A 

2

 IS2202

Social Theory 2 : Globalisation and the Information Age

20

Option

Option

 Option

N/A 

2

 AI2309

Social Movements in The Radical 20th Century

20

Option

Option

 Option

N/A 

2

 IS2502

Planning and resourcing for NGOs and Social Enterprises

20

Option

Option

 N/A

N/A 

AI2207 

 Gender and Development

 20

Option

Option 

Option 

Option 

AI2307 

China in the World 

 20

Option 

Option 

Option 

Option 

AI2306 

The UN in World Politics 

20 

Option 

Option 

Option 

N/A 

CC2703 

Media Lab 2 

20 

Option 

Option 

Option 

N/A 

3

 AI3000

Thesis /Project:Research methods, special subject (Africa, Asia, Latin America) and dissertation

40

Core

Core

 Option

N/A 

3

 AI3207

Conflict, intervention and development

20

Option

Option

 Option

Option 

3

 AI3202

Food, Hunger and Development

20

Option

Option

 Option

Option 

3

 AI3201

Islam and the modern world

20

Option

Option

 Option

Option 

3

 

Overseas study Module (60 credits if taken at AUC)

20 or 60*

Option

Option

 N/A

N/A 

3

 CC3202

Culture, Power & Resistance in the 21st Century

20

Option

Option

 Option

Option 

3

 AI3319

The US as Global Power

20

Option

Option

 Option

Option 

 PS3235

HIV in the world

20 

Option 

Option 

Option 

Option 

AI3111 

Political Religion

20 

Option 

Option 

Option 

Option 

3

 AI3304

Women, Politics and Power

20

Option

Option

Option 

Option 

3

 AI3308

International Political Theory

20

Option

Option

 Option

Option 

Requirements for gaining an award

In order to gain an honours degree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:

  • A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
  • A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
  • A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain an ordinary degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 300 credits including:

  • A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
  • A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
  • A minimum of 60 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain a Diploma of Higher Education you will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher

In order to gain a Certificate of Higher Education you will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher.

In order to gain a Foundation Degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 240 credits including:

  • A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
  • A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher

(A foundation degree is linked to a named Honours degree onto which a student may progress after successful completion of the Foundation degree.)

Degree Classification

Where a student is eligible for an Honours degree, and has gained a minimum of 240 UEL credits at level 2 or level 3 on the programme, including a minimum of 120 UEL credits at level 3, the award classification is determined by calculating:

The arithmetic mean of the best 100 credits at level 3

×

2/3

+

The arithmetic mean of the next best 100 credits at levels 2 and/or 3

×

1/3

and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification

70% - 100%

First Class Honours

60% - 69%

Second Class Honours, First Division

50% - 59%

Second Class Honours, Second Division

40% - 49%

Third Class Honours

0% - 39%

Not passed

Assessment

Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching and learning

Knowledge is developed through

  • presentation of frameworks of information in lectures.
  • student centred seminar discussions.
  • reading of specified texts on a weekly basis.

Thinking skills are developed through

  • close analysis of specified texts
  • individual and small group exercises in seminar sessions

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

  • Tutorials to discuss individual progress
  • Oral presentations
  • Project work

Assessment

Knowledge is assessed by

  • coursework essays, exams, presentations, projects

Thinking skills are assessed by

  • coursework essays, exams, presentations, projects

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

  • involvement in and contribution to seminar sessions
  • involvement in and contribution to group presentations

Quality

How we assure the quality of this programme

Before this programme started

Before the programme started, the following was checked:

  • there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
  • adequate resources would be in place;
  • the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
  • the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
  • the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
  • the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.

This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.

How we monitor the quality of this programme

The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:

  • external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
  • statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
  • student feedback.

Drawing on this and other information programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the University's Quality Standing Committee.

Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.

The role of the programme committee

This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the University's quality assurance procedures.

The role of external examiners

The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:

  • To ensure the standard of the programme
  • To ensure that justice is done to individual students

External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:

  • Approving exam papers/assignments
  • Attending assessment boards
  • Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks
  • Ensuring that regulations are followed
  • Providing feedback to UEL through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future

Listening to the views of students

The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:

  • Module evaluations
  • Student representation on programme committees

Students are notified of the action taken through:

  • newsletter for Third World Development
  • providing details on the programme noticeboard
  • announcements in core module classes

Listening to the views of others

The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:

  • Programme committees

Further Information

Alternative locations for studying this programme

LocationWhich elements?Taught by UEL staffTaught by local staffMethod of Delivery

-

-

-

-

-

Where you can find further information

Further information about this programme is available from:


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