Joint honours programmes

BA Politics and Languages                                                                                                                                                          

The study of a modern language with politics offers the exiting prospect of a four-year degree programme that combines two
contrasting, but often complementary, areas of interest. Whether you choose French, German, Hispanic Studies or Russian
you will follow the core modules designed to help you develop your skills in writing and speaking that language as well as core
modules in Politics. In addition youwill normally spend a year abroad in a country where the language is spoken. In your first
year you will take a foundation module relating to the culture of your chosen language. After this you are free to select options
of special interest to you available from the wide variety of units available. The two subjects are studied on a roughly equal
basis, but the flexibility of the module-unit system allows you to specialise if you wish to do so.

Programme Structure

Year One

4 module units in Politics:

• POL100 Introduction to Politics

and either

• POL103 Comparative Government and Politics

or

• POL104 International Relations since 1914

 

Year Two

4 module units in Politics:

All second year modules are full year modules (2 module units).  You can choose any two from a list of options ranging from
political theory,British politics, European politics, politics of the Middle East, Latin American politics, international relations
and globalisation.

 

Year Three

Year Abroad assessment

 

Year Four

2 module units in Politics:

If you are not doing research in Modern Languages, you are advised to do the Research Project (worth 2 module units) in
Politics. Most other modules at this level are one semester modules (1 module unit) covering a broad range of the discipline.
You must consult with your Personal Advisor prior to making your choice to ensure it makes academic and intellectual sense.

 

 

Learning and Teaching

Teaching takes place via lectures and seminars. For each module you will generally have a one hour lecture each week, and a
one hour seminar, although some second or third year modules may be taught by means of a two-hour seminar format.
Lectures are designed to give you the necessary intellectual and historical background, while seminars give you the
opportunity to discuss your ideas and opinions.

 

Assessment

Most modules are assessed by a combination of coursework and unseen exam.  All first year modules are assessed by
essays and literature reviews that together make-up 40% of the total assessment. Second and final year modules will require
you to complete one or two essays accounting for 40% of the total assessment. The remaining 60% of the assessment is
calculated by unseen examination.

 

Departmental Policies

• Feedback on coursework assessment can normally be expected within two term-time weeks of its submission
  
• You are required to hand in two copies of coursework directly to your module tutor. If you fail to submit your essay in
  time, you lose 5points per day for lateness
• Late submission of coursework is accepted without any penalty if you have extension from module tutor
  

 

Attendance/de-registration

You are required to attend all seminars for your modules and are strongly advised to attend all lectures. Persistent non-
attendance at seminars for two or more weeks in one semester will result in de-registration from the module. If you are unable
to attend for good reason, you should inform your tutor/departmental office in advance and provide necessary documentary
evidence, such as medical certificate.

If you are de-registered from a module, you will no longer be able to attend classes or lecture. You may be required to
withdraw from the college.

See Departmental Handbook for policy on late submission of coursework and extenuating circumstances.

 

Plagiarism

Allegations of plagiarism are dealt with in accordance with the College Regulations Covering Assessment Offences. In case
the item of coursework is worth below 31% of the total assessment for that module, the module convenor will inform the
student of the alleged offence, and the student will have the opportunity to respond. Where an offence is deemed to have been
committed, the work is passed on to the Chair for the Sub-Committee on Exam Offences for the Politics Subject Examination
Board. The Chair will then decide on an appropriate penalty from the following options:

• A formal warning
• Require the student to resubmit the relevant piece(s) of work by a specified deadline with the resubmission uncapped
  
• Require the student to resubmit the relevant piece(s) of work by a specified deadline with the resubmission capped
  
• Return a mark of 0 for the relevant piece(s) of work with no right to resubmit the work
  

 

The pro-forma and the essay together with the evidence are submitted to the Politics office for record. All cases are reviewed
prior to the Subject Exam Board at the Exam Offences Sub-Committee. The Chair will also meet with student and module
convenor if deemed necessary.

The student may appeal in writing to the Academic Secretary against the penalty within ten days of notification of the penalty.
The Academic Secretary will refer such cases to the Chairman of the Assessment Offences Panel, whose decision will be
final.

In case the item of coursework is 31% and above of the total assessment for that module, the Chair will examine the case, will
notify the Academic Secretary, who shall refer the matter to the Chairman of the College Assessment Offences Panel.

 

Year Tutor/Personal Advisors

If you need advise on academic and pastoral matters or you simply wish to make a complaint, you must contact your Personal
Advisor in the first instance. They are there to support you with any serious or recurring problems that you might experience
during your degree programmes. You must also be aware of the contact details of the following members of staff:

• Senior tutor
• Head of Department
• Exams Officer