University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2021/22 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Social Sciences and Law > School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies > International Development (MSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 9POLI013T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Peace Medie
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Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 1 years (full time) |
The School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies seeks to provide excellence in teaching and learning within a top quality research environment. This programme aims to provide students with an understanding of international development by means of a variety of methodological and theoretical approaches. The principal subject-specific aim of the programme is to equip students to explore the subject of contemporary international development, including its administration and planning dimensions. One of the fundamental issues facing the world and its peoples remains the poor quality of life and the lack of material welfare. There persists for many an unacceptable level of poverty, a failure to utilise local resources, an inability to create accountable institutions to oversee development projects, and a failure to enhance, or even preserve, the quality of our environment. The search for successful development in many countries continues, but it remains difficult to define, elusive in implementation and undermined by new challenges and problems. It integrates theoretical approaches with the study of many examples, cases and issues. The programme's structure and content have been devised to be discrete, structurally coherent and intellectually challenging. The substantive and methodological content is at or informed by the cutting edge of scholarship in the sub-field and wider discipline. Students learn how knowledge in the sub-field and discipline advance, how to critique existing methods and how to use that understanding to generate their own original and creative solutions to existing and new problems. We aim to expose students comprehensively to the core theoretical constructs and methods of this subfield of the discipline of politics and expand their knowledge of a range of international development institutions, practices, behaviours and ideas. Our more general goal is to produce top quality postgraduates who have an advanced understanding of theoretical and conceptual tools with which to critically evaluate international development phenomena within and beyond the remit of their degree programme. The School places primary emphasis on students' written analysis of international development issues. However, our assessment procedures encourage students to develop a broad range of transferable skills, including oral argument, time management skills, critical thinking, conceptualisation, independent learning and team-work. As a result, students emerge from the programme with a set of problem-solving skills that enable them to exercise sound judgement as professionals in complex, uncertain and new environments; to communicate clearly with specialists and non-specialist audiences; (through learning how to learn) to continue to develop their skills independently in those environments.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Part 1 focuses on ensuring that students grasp and demonstrate foundational knowledge and understanding on core methodological and theoretical approaches to and issues of international development.
In Part 3, via the dissertation the student develops an in-depth grasp of a particular aspect of international development, which they relate to the field of international development as a whole in their dissertation. Directed reading (through the identification of required reading on syllabi), independent reading (encouraged by extensive lists of supplementary reading on syllabi), seminars (involving individual participation, team work, discussion directed by the tutor, simulation and debate), seminar presentations, essays, 500 word dissertation proposal and 3,000 word dissertation synopsis, dissertation supervision and the writing of the dissertation itself. Use of learning technologies including Blackboard (all units registered), discussion boards, the Internet, visual presentations, PowerPoint, and handouts. Use of a wide range of literature and information sources, specifically primary texts, academic texts, journals, articles, course packs, websites and news media sources. |
Methods of Assessment | |
The breadth and depth of the student's knowledge and understanding of the substance of the field of international development is tested through a variety of formative and summative methods of assessment. Completion of all elements of formative and summative student work contributes to the allocation of credit points. Formative assessment on the substance of the student's grasp of the field of international development is carried out by tutors and communicated to students via verbal feedback on contributions to seminar discussions, verbal and written feedback on seminar presentations, and verbal and/or written feedback on the dissertation synopsis and proposal. Summative assessment on the substance of the student's grasp of the field of international development is provided in the form of written feedback on 3,500-4,000 word analytical and research-based essays or equivalent other work e.g. group project, two shorter essays or one shorter essay and a diary project (first teaching block essays due at the end of January and second teaching block essays due in mid May) and the analytical and research-based dissertation (10-15,000 words, due mid September). The department retains electronic copies of essay and dissertation feedback sheets. Certificate students complete the credit point requirements for three units and the three related summative essays. Diploma students complete six units and their requirements. MSc students complete six units and their requirements and the dissertation. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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As above |
Methods of Assessment | |
As above |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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As above |
Methods of Assessment | |
As above |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
The structure of the degree programme has been designed to engage the student in a cumulative process of developing skills and knowledge through a sequence of complementary stages. In Part 1 all Certificate, Diploma and Masters students develop foundational knowledge and understanding of international development through the major methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of the field; develop general intellectual skills and attributes necessary for that knowledge and understanding; and are required to cover a wide range of practical, professional and transferable skills. |
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Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
In Part 2, Diploma and Masters students (and those Certificate students who will be gaining their qualification by a mix of Part 1 and Part 2 units) explore subject specific areas through a combination of optional seminar units taught by individual members of staff or by teams of staff. Students choose three 20 credit point options. These units reflect the research strengths and broad research interests of the relevant staff and deal with important methodological, theoretical and empirical issues. They enable the student to extend and apply the subject-specific content, intellectual skills and wider general skills first learned in Part 1. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
The dissertation acts as the culmination of the student's progress through the degree programme, as she/he applies the appropriate technical, methodological and intellectual skills that have been developed to a piece of research devised in consultation with and supervised by a staff advisor and located clearly within the broader field of international development. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
In order to increase their effectiveness, seminar groups are limited to a maximum of eighteen students, and the groups are often smaller.
In order to increase the effectiveness of dissertation supervision, no member of staff may supervise more than fifteen dissertations.
The School also offers the following programmes:
International Security
International Relations
Gender and International Relations - the only programme in the world on this topic
Development and Security
Email: spais-mscenquiries@bristol.ac.uk
Web: www.bristol.ac.uk/spais/
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Dissertation | POLIM1001 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Theories of Development | POLIM3018 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
International Political Economy | POLIM3015 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Conflict, Security and Development | POLIM1007 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Students must also choose 60 credit points optional units. Select at least 40 credit points from the following list: | ||||
Global Justice | POLIM0005 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
European Security | POLIM0019 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
The Politics of Insecurity | POLIM0020 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
China's International Relations | POLIM0023 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
The Politics of (Un)sustainability | POLIM0028 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
China’s Political Economy: Trade and Finance in China | POLIM0040 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
The Politics of Brexit | POLIM0043 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Gender and Security | POLIM0045 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Security Governance | POLIM1006 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Gender and Development | POLIM2032 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Managing and Evaluating Development | POLIM2036 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Environmental Politics | POLIM2041 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Gender, Masculinity/ies and International Relations | POLIM3016 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Foreign Policy Analysis | POLIM3017 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Europeanisation | POLIM3028 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
International Human Rights | POLIM3030 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Sino-US Relations in Global Politics | POLIM3033 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Climate Crisis and International Security | POLIM0052 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Sustainability and Social Impact in Marketing | EFIMM0056 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Researching Organisations, Institutions and Management | EFIMM0045 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Students may also be able to choose a maximum of 20 credit points from the following list of Sociology units depending on availability: | ||||
Care, Labour and Gender | SOCIM0004 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Religion and Politics in the West | SOCIM0006 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Religion, Ethnicity and Value Change | SOCIM0010 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Philosophy and Research Design in the Social Sciences | SOCIM0012 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences | SOCIM0013 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Contemporary Identities and Inequalities | SOCIM0015 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Gender, Family and Migration | SOCIM0023 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Understanding Social Movements | SOCIM0028 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
From Structuralism to Post-structuralism | SOCIM0029 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Digital Economy and Society | SOCIM0031 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Rationality and Absurdity | SOCIM0033 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Consumption, Environment and Sustainable Development | SOCIM0034 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Interpreting Gender | SOCIM3103 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Advanced Qualitative Research | SOCIM3132 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Further Quantitative Methods | SPOLM0016 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Sociological Theory and the Concept of Culture | SPAIM0049 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Care, Labour and Gender | SOCIM0004 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Advanced Quantitative Research | SOCIM3133 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Race, Power, and Politics: From the Haitian Revolution to Decolonial Futures | POLIM0053 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Researching Organisations, Institutions and Management | EFIMM0045 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
MSc International Development | 180 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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