University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2020/21 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Social Sciences and Law > School for Policy Studies > International Social and Public Policy (BSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 9SPOL031U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Oscar Berglund
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Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
School/department | School for Policy Studies |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 3 years (full time) |
The central core of the International Social and Public Policy Degree is to explore, analyse and critically assess contemporary social and public policy issues in and across societies. This interdisciplinary and international programme provides students with the opportunity to engage with and gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of and relationships between social and public policies. Drawing on key theories of comparative and international social and public policy, as well as a variety of social science perspectives such as sociology, economics, politics, philosophy and history the programme will enable students to gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which contemporary social, political and economic issues are shaped and responded to in different parts of the world. The unique focus of this programme is to gain major insights into the role of public policy, actors and institutions and an understanding of the development and implementation of policy measures designed to influence the social circumstances of individuals and collectivities.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Acquisition of the knowledge and understanding outlined in the programme ILOs will be achieved through a range of learning and teaching methods and strategies. Foundational knowledge relating to ILOs 1-10 are achieved in the core years across the 3 years of study through lectures, seminars, classes and workshops and a diverse range of assessment techniques which will involve essays, presentations, policy reports, annotated bibliographies and projects involving analysis of data (skills 1-10). The mandatory units in the first year cover material that is foundational to students' understanding and development and link specifically to ILOs 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 and 10 introducing students to key concepts, ideas and perspectives in an international context (Key Concepts, Theories and Ideologies in Social Policy), with a more country specific focus on East and South East Asia, Europe and the USA in the Comparative and International Policy Studies unit. In this first year ILOs 8, 9 and 10 are achieved through the unit on Critical Skills for Social Scientists: International Social and Public Policy. In the second year, mandatory units provide students with a more sophisticated understanding of policy making and implementation policies and perspectives in Understanding Public Policy (ILOs 4 and 5) as well as a thorough grounding in research methods (Social Research Methods for international social and public policy) (ILOs 8, 9 and 10), and the role of different actors shaping public and social policy in a global, national and local context (Comparative Political Economy and Social Policy) (ILOs 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7). The units are delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. In seminars and workshops students engage in group discussions, individual and group presentations, and debates which are educational (not formative) but do contribute to knowledge and learning for the different forms of assessment. A range of options are available to students which facilitate increasing breadth and depth of knowledge and learning with regards to different parts of the world and a wide variety of substantive international policy areas through which theories, concepts and perspectives on the policy process can be applied and analysed (for example Migration Policy in the UK, EU and Globallly; Development and Social Policy for example) (ILOs 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7) as well as policy development and implement (Public Management). (ILOs 2 and 3) A key element of assessment in the third year is the production of a 10,000 word dissertation (40CP) on a topic of the students choice relating to international social and public policy. This draws together, consolidates and deepens the expertise, skills and knowledge developed by the student during their degree CV and encapsulates ILOs 1 to 10. Advanced knowledge is acquired through individual supervision, one-to-one tutorials, and workshops throughout the year at key stages in the dissertation process as part of supporting the student through to the successful completion of the dissertation. In addition a range of options are available to students to further develop the breadth and depth of knowledge and learning in Year 3. These include Social and Public Policy in the European Union and Social Policy in East Asia (ILOs 2,3,4,5,6,7) as well as a range of substantive policy areas which will address ILOs 2 to in particular. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Throughout the programme students undertake a diversity of forms of summative assessment including essays, student presentations, portfolios, unseen written examinations and policy reports. Units are assessed at two points during the year with a smaller assessment usually taking place earlier on in the unit with the aim of developing skills and engaging with a more substantial assessment later in the year. During the first year of study the mix of assessment gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding and ability to employ their skills and knowledge in different ways. We also see it as important to enable students to develop both the skill of writing clearly and succinctly within time limits (for example one hour practice exam and 3 hour exams for Key Concepts, Theories and Ideologies in Social Policy) and the ability to produce more sustained and individually researched pieces of work that can demonstrate reflexive understanding of global and international issues and processes and how they interact with social and public policy including essays (for example 2,000 word essay for Comparative and International Policy Studies). In the Critical Skills for Social Scientists: International Social and Public Policy the methods of assessment encourage students to demonstrate their reflexive understanding of and skills relating to global and international policy issues through reports, posters and presentations (Critical Skills for Social Scientists: International Social and Public Policy). In the second year forms of assessment might include preparing an annotated bibliography and a 2,000 Comparative Political Economy Encyclopedia entry on a substantive international policy area (Comparative Political Economy and Social Policy), a policy critique (Understanding Public Policy), comparison of specific data sources, individual or group presentations, or peer review of outline research proposal (Social Research Methods for International Social and Public Policy). The overall assessment mix will depend on the optional units selected but more substantial forms of assessments involve essays, policy briefs, the further development of a reflexive and mixed portfolio as well as unseen examinations (1, 2 or 3 hours in length). In the third year students taking this programme are required to produce a 10,000 dissertation based on an original investigation of an international policy issue. Independent research is supported with formal meetings between student and dissertation tutor, workshops at key stages of the dissertation process (establishing research questions, collecting data, analysis and writing up). Students will produce a 2,000 word proposal leading to the final 10,000 word dissertation. As in the second year, the overall assessment mix will depend on the optional units selected. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills and attributes are developed throughout the programme beginning with foundational skill development in year 1 with Critical Skills for International Social and Public Policy (ILOs 3, 4 and 6), Comparative and International Policy Studies (ILOs 1, 2 and 5) and Key Concepts, Theories and Ideologies in Social Policy (1, 2, 5) utilising lectures, seminars and a diverse range of assessment techniques to engage and equip students with appropriate expertise. Seminar discussions and presentations enable students to follow up on key points from reading, clarify and articulate theories, concepts and analysis of international social and public policy issues, consider processes and outcomes in a supportive and engaged environment that encourages reflexivity and self-reflection. A range of elective units enables further development and application of the intellectual skills across a range of substantive policy areas (Contemporary debates in Global Childhool; Understanding Crime, Harm and Sociey for example) and/or an exploration of the relationship between data, evidence and policy (Convincing Stories? Numbers as evidence in the Social Sciences). Across years 2 and 3 lectures and seminars form the main learning and teaching method which build on the foundational skill development established in year 1. Social Research Methods for International Social and Public Policy engages with ILOs 3 and 4, Understanding Public Policy engages with ILOs 2 and 5, and Comparative Political Economy and Social Policy links to 1, 2, and 5 in Year 2. In Year 3 the Dissertation firmly embeds the intellectual skills relating to theoretical application, the construction and meaning of policy issues, evaluation of policy problems and government policy in international comparative social and public policy, use and critique of primary and secondary data, conduct piece of reflexive and independent research (ILOs 1 to 6). Learning and teaching methods include one-to one tutorials with dissertation tutor, workshops at key stages of the dissertation process and the development of a 2000 word research proposal. In both Year 2 and Year 3 a range of elective units are available to develop and consolidate the intellectual skills of students. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Assessment methods in year one provide the opportunity for students to demonstrate an understanding of concepts and theories relating to international social and public policy and how these are constructed and applied in different societies and for different groups through mock and timed examinations and focused essays (Key Concepts, Theories and Ideologies in Social Policy and Comparative and International Policy Studies). Critical Skills for Social Scientists assesses students ability to utilise primary and secondary data and analyse government policy within a broader context through presentations, posters and reports. The further embedding of skills in the 2nd year of study includes an annotated bibliography to assess the identification of theories and understanding of concepts and a 2000 written piece to address ILO 1, 2 and 5 (Comparative Political Economy and Social Policy), and a policy critique (ILOs 2 and 5) for Understanding Public Policy. Social Research Methods for International and Public Policy assesses ILO 3 and 4 through a comparison of specific data sources, individual or group presentations, and pee review of outline research proposal. In Year 3 the 2,000 word proposal and the 10,000 word dissertation assesses skills 1 to 5, with a particular emphasis on ILOs 3 and 4. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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All learners receive initial guidance on how to identify, locate and use material available in libraries and elsewhere. Comprehensive bibliographies are provided for each course unit at the outset, as are guidelines for seminar and assessment. Workshops are given in the use of on-line databases for literature searching. The final year dissertation is supported by a series of workshops which enhance and extend these skills (skills 1,2,5,6) |
Methods of Assessment | |
Summative assessment of skills 1-3,6&7 is through a range of different methods including policy reports, portfolios, unseen examinations, and feedback on student presentations (in particular the presentation of the student's own dissertation work at dissertation conferences). Summative assessment of skills 1 to 3 is also achieved through submission of the dissertation. Skill 6 is assessed by the ability to meet the deadlines set for assessment. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
At the end of this level, learners are expected to be able to demonstrate knowledge of contemporary social and policy issues in a global and comparative perspective. They should be able to show awareness in general terms of the relevant theoretical perspectives for understanding and interpreting International social and public policy. The expectation is that their work may require substantial direction from members of staff. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
At the end of this level, learners are expected to be able to demonstrate that they have expanded the range and depth of their knowledge and understanding of social and public policy in comparative and theoretical directions. This should include their understanding of policy making and implementation and the relationship between policy, social justice and social divisions. They should be aware of the range of research approaches relevant to the study of social policy. Through their choice of optional units they should be developing their skills and knowledge in relation to particular fields of international policy. They are expected to be developing a capacity for self-directed learning |
Level H/6 - Honours |
Learners should continue to develop the depth of their knowledge and understanding through their study of both mandatory and optional subjects. Students are expected to demonstrate an ability to apply the skills learnt in the research methods unit and to enhance their capacity for self directed study, especially through the completion of a dissertation. |
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 undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Workload Statement
Success at undergraduate level in the Social Sciences and Law depends on your being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. The programmes offered in the Faculty are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with larger lecture-based units providing the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving through to smaller seminar-based specialist units and finishing with an individual dissertation or research project. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning. But at the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing, whether in the library or at home. It is this skill of independent study above all others that you will take with you when you leave.
This model of academic development is particularly obvious in the more discursive subjects such as law, politics, social policy and sociology. The typical timetabled contact time for a discursive 20 credit point unit in the Faculty is about 30 hours. You will find that you need to allow for about 10 hours preparation on your own if you are to get the most from one of these teaching sessions. In addition there will often be class presentations or essays to write. Typically, the final year will include an independent research unit which by definition has a much smaller amount of more individualised support. Towards the end of any teaching block you may have additional revision or updating classes, and many programmes have occasional ad-hoc lectures of general interest and relevance. If you get stuck, there is always the chance to speak to your lecturer after a class or during their hours of general availability, or you could see your personal tutor. The Faculty also includes programmes which require increasing levels of mathematical sophistication, typically in Economics, Finance and Management. In this latter case, much larger numbers of lectures - up to 18 hours a week depending on option choices - and fewer small group classes are normal, as in the sciences.
As a result, and depending on your particular programme and option choices, your timetable is likely to be a lot less structured than that of fellow students who are linguists, scientists, engineers or medics. But the time that others spend in laboratories you should be spending in private study. In a sense, the library is your laboratory, and you will want to make best use of the excellent range of resources available to you here. A good University education does not tell you 'what you need to know'. Rather, we assume that, like your lecturers and professors, you are intellectually curious about your subject. We invite you to join us and we are there to help you satisfy your curiosity as best we can.
Assessment Statement
Please select the following link for a statement about assessment. This is University of Bristol access only.
https://www.bris.ac.uk/fssl/current-students/fssl-undergraduates/assessmentandfeedbackstatement.pdf
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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