International Relations, Level 6 Top-Up

Transcription

1 International Relations, Level 6 Top-Up 2014/15 Award title International Relations, Level 6 Top-Up Programme code(s) BAIRT Faculty Faculty of Health & Social Sciences School School of Social, Psychological and Communication Sciences

2 Our Student Charter Our Student Charter outlines what you can expect from Leeds Beckett University during your time here, as well as what you should do to get the most out of your studies. Our Charter was developed by our University and the Students Union together. It is summarised here: Your University s commitments to you To help you get the most out of your University experience we aim to: Provide high standards of learning and teaching Offer a flexible and relevant curriculum Provide a supportive, inclusive and welcoming environment Prepare you for employment and lifelong learning Deliver responsive customer service Your Students Union s commitments to you To help you get the most out of your University experience we aim to: Represent students on and off campus Be open, democratic and fair to all Assist students with academic and welfare issues Support active student engagement Your commitments to us To get the most out of your University experience you should: Take an active part in your learning Give us feedback and information Seek support and advice when you need it Act responsibly See section 6 of this handbook for further information. 2

3 Our Student Entitlements As a full-time or part-time campus-based undergraduate student you are entitled to: 1. Access online learning materials and resources for every module through a virtual learning environment and have access to the resources and information of an up to date library. 2. Opportunities for on-going feedback on your work and progress towards your assessments in every year of your course. 3. Participate in a course induction, which will be provided at the beginning of each year of your course. 4. A meeting with your personal tutor once per semester. [All new and first year students will be invited to a meeting with their personal tutor within four weeks of the start of their studies]. 5. A course that has been informed in its development by external stakeholders (e.g. employers, professional bodies). 6. Participate in Personal Development Planning within the context of your course. 7. Have the opportunity to engage in embedded activities within your course which develop and enhance your graduate employability and lifelong learning. 8. Receive clear dates at the beginning of each module about your assessment, submission dates, when and how you receive formative feedback on assessment during every module, and how you will receive feedback on marked assessments within the 4 week feedback period. 9. Receive clear and easy to understand information about your course and the services available to you. 10. Be engaged, via your course student representative, in your course review, evaluation and development processes. 11. Have your questions to our University s services responded to within the advertised timescales in our corporate service standards. 12. Normally be given your course timetable no later than four weeks before the beginning of each semester. 3

4 Contents 1 Welcome to the Course Studying on this Course Assessment and Feedback Where to Get Help... Error! Bookmark not defined. 5 What to do if you... Error! Bookmark not defined. 6 Relevant Policies

5 1 Welcome to the Course 1.1 Message from the Dean Welcome or welcome back! If you are joining us to start your course or returning to continue your studies, I hope you will really enjoy and value your experience over the coming year. Your time at our University can and should be life-changing. Our University recently gained the Customer Service Excellence Standard - evidence of the firm commitment of all our staff to help you to gain as much as possible from your Leeds Beckett experience, and to support your development. Although our staff will support your learning, you will need to put in some hard work too! The Faculty of Health and Social Sciences is proud of our reputation for innovation and excellence in the quality of our courses which span a range of professional and academic disciplines in health, social care, the social sciences and related subject areas. All our courses have recently been through a major curriculum refocus exercise working closely with employers and with the relevant professional bodies. This ensures that all courses remain relevant to meet the high standards expected for employment and/or for entry to your chosen profession. Our courses place an important emphasis on improving your employability. Most courses will incorporate work-related placements or other forms of work-related learning. Our approaches to teaching, learning and student support are designed to assist your study. You are likely to experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, group-work, technology enhanced learning and work-related projects, supported by access to individual tutors. We also use a variety of different methods of assessment and aim to provide you with prompt feedback on your assessed work that will be helpful for your future learning. Our library never closes, being open 24/7, 365 days a year with excellent on-line access and support available. Over the coming year you may notice some continuing building work taking place in the Calverley and Portland Buildings of City Campus. We are making a significant investment in a complete refurbishment of these buildings and the programme of refurbishment has already been completed for Floors Those of you who have already experienced learning in our specialist teaching facilities will know that the temporary inconvenience of the building work is well worth the wait. We will do everything possible to minimise any disturbance caused by the remaining building work to the lower floors. At all times we aim to be student-centred and really value your feedback. We like to receive feedback on the things you enjoy and that you think we do well, but also want to hear from you when you think there are ways in which we can improve your experience. You can provide feedback in many ways including through your course representatives and through feedback to your tutors and course leader, as well as module evaluations and end-of year student surveys. 5

6 I wish you well and hope you have a very enjoyable and successful year Professor Ieuan Ellis, Dean and Pro Vice-Chancellor Faculty of Health and Social Sciences 1.2 Message from your Course Leader This handbook provides you with information that you will need to succeed on your course. You should find it helpful when you first start, when you are preparing for assessment and at any time that you need help or advice in connection with your studies here. You will also receive a module handbook for each module you study on your course. The course team is looking forward to working with you this year and we hope that your time studying with us at Leeds Beckett University is both enjoyable and successful. On behalf of our University and the whole course team I would like to wish you well in your studies. Dr Mark Langan Course Leader International Relations, Level 6 Top-Up 6

7 1.3 Academic Calendar Our standard student academic calendar is summarised below: w/c Monday Student Calendar Student Welcome & Induction Week Semester 1 Teaching Starts PAGE Festival Christmas Break Bank Holiday / Christmas Break Christmas Break Formal examinations period Formal examinations period Futures Fest / Welcome / Refreshers Semester 2 Teaching Starts

8 Easter Break Bank Holidays Bank Holiday Formal examinations period Formal examinations period Bank Holiday

9 Full details of this and future standard student academic calendars are at: Once you have enrolled, you will have a student login. You can then find confirmation of your personal timetable by selecting the appropriate link after logging on the Student Hub from Key Contacts Course Leader The Course Leader for the Undergraduate programme is Dr Mark Langan. Mark is responsible for the overall operation of the group, the coherence of the undergraduate programme and its administration and works in collaboration with the Course Team, Student Administrator and module leaders. You should see Mark about matters of academic delivery across the programme which are beyond the scope of an individual module leader. Mark can be contacted at [email protected] Dr Mark Langan. Room CL [email protected] Tel: Personal Tutor All students are allocated to a dedicated personal tutor who is the first point of contact for non-academic/module related pastoral support. You will meet your personal tutor at least once every semester, to review progress and identify support needs. Prior to these scheduled meetings you should reflect on and be prepared to discuss your progress, and any concerns that either you or your personal tutor have in relation attendance or general performance. In addition to the scheduled meetings you should contact your personal tutor if there are any issues that are affecting your engagement and progress within the course Student Liaison Officer In addition to the pastoral support within the Course Team, there is a Faculty Student Liaison Officer that provides a link between course teams and students. They can provide support in non-academic areas and advice on how to access services within the University. They can be contacted via the Faculty Helpdesk - Calverley Building G03, at [email protected] or phone Tel: Course Representative Our University is committed to ensuring that the views of students are heard and responded to. This is partly achieved through course-level student academic representatives (STARs), which are recruited across all courses. The academic regulations require each course to conduct an annual review of performance, through monitoring and review meetings. STARs should be invited to these meeting, which 9

10 should be scheduled in order to encourage STAR participation. Prior to this meeting a focus group should also be convened to enable all students within a year group to discuss their experiences, thus providing STARs with valuable feedback to report to the monitoring and review meetings. Faculties, with the oversight of the Governance and Legal Affairs team, are responsible for recruiting STARs in accordance with centrally devised targets. Courses with fewer than 50 students in a year group recruit 1 or 2 students to act as STARs. Year groups of over 50 students recruit between 2-4% of the cohort. A range of STARs co-ordinators across our University manage the recruitment process and liaise with the Registrar and Secretary's Office and the Students' Union regarding the fulfilment of these targets. Our University and the Students' Union work together to raise awareness of student academic representation and to provide training and development for elected representatives. The Students Union can be contacted at [email protected] in relation to these matters. Further information and handbooks are available at: Contact details for your course rep are at: In PAGE we will invite Course Reps to a meeting in Weeks 4 and 11 of each semester. Details about being a course rep are available at Student Administrator Brionny Fox is the student administrator responsible for the administration of this course, including matters relating to the enrolment, awards, progression, attendance and mitigation. If you have any queries related to these issues, Brionny Fox, CL615 [email protected]. Tel: Tel: Course Administration Team The individual student administrators work within the wider course administration team for the School of Social, Psychological and Communication Sciences. Lizzi Kijewski is responsible for overseeing this team and can be contacted at [email protected] if you would like to raise any queries or issues related to the administration of your course Academic Librarian Academic Librarians provide tailored information and literature searching sessions to students as part of their courses and also offer one-to-one appointments for students and staff. Each Academic Librarian has a subject specialism and is responsible for evaluating electronic information sources, as well as providing training and tutorials. All new students are offered an induction session and follow up information skills teaching complemented by 10

11 online guides, web pages and online tutorials to inform students of relevant resources and activities to support their programme of study. If you have any queries in relation to the resources for your course, you should contact the academic librarian for your course at the Library Helpdesk Keeping in Touch Academic and administrative staff at our University use your student address to contact you. It is important that you check this account regularly. You can forward s from your student address to a preferred personal address. However quarantine and spam filters needed by our University mean that s sent from external addresses may be delayed, blocked or deleted. It is therefore important that your student address is the only address that you use to contact University staff. You can find how to forward your student address to a preferred personal address or mobile device from: We will inform you of cancelled classes / activities / course notices as soon as possible. We will inform you through announcements on MyBeckett, which get ed to you, and by , to your student address. For each module, the module handbook will include the preferred method of communicating general information about that module to you. Please make sure that you inform your course admin team whenever you change your address and contact details. It is important that you also update your records yourself. To do this, select the appropriate link from the My Account tab after logging in from the Student Hub at: This will ensure we can always contact you in an emergency, and that you receive any important University communications that we may need to send you. 2 Studying on this Course 2.1 Programme Specification The programme specification is a concise description of your course's aims and objectives and how you will be taught and assessed to achieve the required learning outcomes. It includes information on course structure and the maintenance of academic standards. The full programme specification for this course can be found in appendix A of this handbook. Course Structure The course structure outlines the modules that will be delivered on this course. Full details of the structure for this course can be found in the programme specification (appendix A). 11

12 Course Learning Outcomes All courses benchmarked against the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ). The FHEQ can be viewed on the Quality Assurance Agency website: For more details on the Course Learning Outcomes specific to this course please view the programme specification. 2.2 Course Resources The programme specification specifies the physical and online resources available to students on this course. 2.3 Graduate Attributes All graduates from our University will be enterprising, digitally literate and have a global outlook. These three graduate attributes are developed with specific, appropriate emphasis in each course and you will be assessed about each of them at every academic level. They will provide you with capabilities which are essential for your employability and wider life as you move on from your studies here. A summary of how the development and assessment of graduate attributes for this course are provided in the programme specification. 2.4 Work-Related Activities The programme specification outlines what work-related activities are associated with this course. 2.5 Opportunities for Graduates The programme specification includes details of any accreditations, career paths, further study options and other opportunities for graduates. 2.6 External Examiner The External Examiner assures that you are assessed fairly in relation to other students on the same course and also the standard of your own award in relation to students in other higher education institutions nationally on similar courses. The details of the External Examiner for this course are as follows: Dr Jonathan Louth, University of Chester Your Student Administrator can provide details of the External Examiner s report on request. Further details on all External Examiners report can be located here: 12

13 3 Assessment and Feedback 3.1 Assessment Assessment Strategy Information on the various methods of assessment can be found in the programme specification (appendix A). University Assessment Regulations Our University s assessment regulations are contained within the Academic Principles and Regulations (sections C3 and C4 in particular). The regulations are available at: Assessment Schedule Please note the exam/assessment periods in the academic calendar (see Section 1) and make sure that you are available during that period. Examination The examination schedule can be found in the Module Handbook and on the relevant module of MyBeckett Coursework The coursework assessment schedule can be found in module handbooks and on the relevant module of MyBeckett. Submitting Assignments All written assignments will be submitted via Turnitin, which is the plagiarism software used to check the originality of all written submissions. The Turnitin facility is accessible via the individual module s MyBeckett site, and by submitting online students are agreeing to the University s assessment regulations. In addition some modules may require a hard copy to be submitted, in which case you will be informed by the module leader. The submission point for hard copies is the Course Administrators Office in Calverley 615. The dates for submission will be in the module handbooks and on the module MyBeckett sites. It is important that you keep copies of all work submitted until after you have graduated. You should also keep any receipts confirming the submission of assignments. In the event of your submitted work being lost you may be required to produce a copy of the work and submission receipt. If you are unable to do so, your work will not be marked. 13

14 3.2 Giving your Feedback about this Course We are keen to work with you to enhance your course. Opportunities for you to feedback to us formally include: course meetings, end of module evaluation, mid module review, internal student experience surveys, course rep forums, the NSS and other student surveys. Informal feedback is also welcome at any time either via your personal or module tutor or via your course rep. 3.3 What Happens with your Feedback about this Course? Your feedback helps us to continually enhance this course. You can find out what actions have been taken in response to your feedback through your Course Rep, the Students Union, your tutors or through the Library. Your Faculty also provides updates on action taken through the Like it and You Said, We Did posters prominently displayed around our University. 3.4 Getting Feedback on your Assessed Work Our University has committed to a four week turnaround for feedback. Each module handbook will provide you with specific guidelines on the turnaround for feedback. The programme specification explains how feedback will be provided on both formative and summative assessments (see appendix A). 3.5 How do I Get my Results? Assignment grades and feedback are available on MyBeckett for each module, unless the module leader gives alternative feedback mechanisms for an assignment, which will be clear in the module handbook. Results from module assessments and decisions on progression to the next level or awards (if you are in the final level) are available on the Results Online system from: Results will only appear within Results Online five working days after the date of the Board of Examiners meeting (the meeting where your end of year outcome will be decided) or the Examination Committee meeting (the meeting where modular outcomes are decided). If you are unsure about when you might receive your results or have queries relating to your results, you should contact your Student Administrator. 14

15 3.6 Issues with Assessment Extenuating Circumstances and Mitigation If you are experiencing problems which are adversely affecting your ability to study (called 'extenuating circumstances'), then you can apply for mitigation. The University operates a fit to sit / fit to submit approach to extenuating circumstances which means students who take their assessment are declaring themselves fit to do so. Examples of extenuating circumstances include personal or family illness, bereavement, family problems or being a victim of crime. Further guidance on extenuating circumstances and mitigation can be found at: To get advice please see your module leader, personal tutor or course leader. All students must apply through the link above, and specific information on the process is available from student administrators. The University has a centralised process for mitigation and you must apply on the forms and submit evidence for your request to be considered. Without any form of extenuating circumstances, standard penalties apply for late submission of assessed work. These range from 5% to 100% of the possible total mark, depending on the number of days late. Full details (section C1.5) of the penalties for late submission of course work are available at: Re-assessment If you have not passed a module at the first attempt you will be eligible for re-assessment. You will need to make sure you are aware of the relevant re-assessment process (e.g. whether it is coursework, an examination, a presentation or other form of assessment / when it will take place / what the deadline is). You cannot progress to the next level of your Course if you fail to submit any assignments. If you miss an assignment, or need to be reassessed, you will find the details on the MyBeckett page for the relevant module. You will be advised via Results Online of your options for reassessment. You are advised to contact your Module Leader, Course Leader, or personal tutor for any necessary clarification Student Appeals If you feel that you have in some way been disadvantaged during your studies and this is reflected in your results, then you may have grounds for an academic appeal. After your results are available on Results Online you have 15 working days to submit a request for an appeal hearing. You will find the information you need, including grounds for 15

16 appeal, when and how to appeal and frequently asked questions at: You are strongly advised to seek guidance from the Students Union Advice Service on whether you have grounds for an appeal and the completion of the paperwork see Section 4 for Students Union Advice Service contact details Cheating, Plagiarism and other forms of Unfair Practice Our University wants to give you credit for your learning and for work which you have done yourself. Academic misconduct occurs when you have not done the work yourself. Academic misconduct can take many forms and may be intentional or unintentional. The different forms may include: cheating, plagiarism and other forms of unfair practice. Plagiarism includes self-plagiarism where a student submits work for credit that they have already received credit for either in this University or anywhere else. Plagiarism also includes a lack of in-text referencing. Unfair practice includes collusion, ghost writing and falsification of data. To help you understand very clearly what is and is not permitted and how to use other people s ideas in your assessed work, it is strongly recommended that you familiarise yourself with The Little Book of Cheating, Plagiarism and Unfair Practice, available from the Student Hub at: The serious consequences of plagiarism and other types of unfair practice are detailed in section C9 of the Academic Regulations at: If you are unsure on how to reference your work correctly please seek advice from your tutors or from Skills for Learning (see Section 4). 4. Where to Get Help 4.1 Personal Tutors Your personal tutor will be an academic member of staff who teaches on your course. Your Course Leader will make sure that you are given the name and contact details of your personal tutor at the beginning of each year, usually in your course induction. Normally, your tutor will aim to follow you right through the duration of your course. Your personal tutor has an important role to play in supporting you in academic and personal matters while you are studying on this course. The meetings will include discussion about career aspirations, your course, your progress, and your academic results. You may want to set objectives for academic and life goals which you can store on your e-portfolio. Personal tutors are not trained counsellors and will signpost you to other University services 16

17 if they can t help you. These services may, for example, be the Students Union, the counselling service or the student hub. In the first year your tutor will probably initiate communication to set up the meetings at a mutually convenient time, but later in your course it should be your responsibility to set up the meeting. If you ask information to be kept confidential it will be and a note will be kept securely in your University notes with an indication of who can access the information. You are entitled to have one meeting per semester with your personal tutor in each year of your course. But your personal tutor may ask you to come to see them more frequently and you should feel free to contact them if you need to see them urgently. Please see Section 6 for details of our personal tutor policy. 4.2 Student Hub If you have any questions about or problems with life at our University, the first place to call, or pop into is the Student Hub. The team can help with a broad range of enquiries including: funding and money advice, being an international student, disability, counselling and wellbeing support, student cards, accommodation, fee payments, support from the Students Union, how to access on-line services, getting help with your CV, preparing for an interview, careers guidance and getting a part-time job. Details of these and other services are available at There is a Student Hub on the ground floor of the Rose Bowl at City Campus and one also in Campus Central at Headingley. Our telephone number is and our address is [email protected]. We work closely with Faculties, the Students Union, all University Services and external organisations to make sure that if we don t know the answer to your question we will know who will. You can also use 'my Hub' which is an online resource available 24/7 where you can access information and guidance about a range of services, register and make appointments with Services, register for workshops and employability tutorials, search for job vacancies and use a range of careers resources. 4.3 Disability and Dyslexia Support Disability Support is available from the Disability and Dyslexia Centre. The Disability Advisers will work with students to ensure support is provided to meet their individual needs: Disabled students can also access the Disability Resource Areas in each library and the support provided by the Library Learning Support Officers. 17

18 4.4 Library Help Academic Librarian Your academic librarian (see Contacts in Section 1) liaises with your lecturers to ensure physical and electronic information resources for your subject are available. They are available to support you personally and will work with you throughout your time here to help you develop information and digital literacy skills. Skills for Learning Skills for Learning provides a wide range of web resources on topics including plagiarism, graduate attributes, group skills, research, maths, critical awareness and reflective skills, Harvard referencing, essay writing and time management. For full information and contact details of the workshop and individual support programme see: Help and Information Points If you have any questions about using the library or concerns about IT, such as logging-in, printing or using our various software packages you can get help: from the Help and Information Point on the ground floor of each library online: by phone (including 24/7 IT support). Library Website The Library s website ( provides access to thousands of resources and information about Library services. You can also access key services via your smart phone or tablet. Distance Learners If you are registered on a distance-learning course, you may be eligible for the Library s Offsite help and advice. The service offers help with accessing electronic resources, access to other libraries, postal book loans and journal article supply. For details of eligibility and the full range of services provided you can access Offsite at: 18

19 Students Union Advice Service The Students Union advice service offers free, independent and confidential advice and representation to students. Professional advisers are employed directly by the Students Union to represent your interests even if you are in dispute with our University. Advice is available on a large number of issues including: academic problems, housing, money health and wellbeing. Tel: (0113) or [email protected]. There are full details of all services available at: 5 What to do if you 5.1 are absent for more than one day You must notify your Student Administrator if you are absent for more than one day (for example for an interview, emergency unforeseen circumstances, or for compassionate leave). If you are going to apply for mitigation you will need to provide written evidence of the reason for your absence (see section 3). International Students Please be aware that our University fully complies with United Kingdom Border Agency policy at all times. There are legal reporting requirements relating to UKBA immigration procedures in the UK for all non-eu students studying in the UK with a Tier 4 student visa. Full attendance is mandatory for all Tier 4 students. For up to date information about visas, immigration issues and other related information, contact the International Student Advice Centre at [email protected] for advice and guidance. Failure to meet Border Agency attendance requirements as required by the terms and conditions of your immigration status could lead to your academic sponsorship being withdrawn and your visa being revoked. 5.2 are ill If you are absent because of illness for more than seven consecutive days (including weekends), you must provide us with a Fit Note. If you are absent through illness on the day of an examination or assignment deadline and you intend to apply for mitigation, you must also provide us with details and any available evidence as soon as possible. Contact your Student Administrator to get a copy of the appropriate extenuating circumstances form. You can hand in or send a Fit Note to your Student Administrator. 19

20 Further information is available in the General Regulations (section 6) at: have a comment, compliment or complaint We are committed to providing a high quality experience for all our students. We welcome comments and compliments from students, and find them valuable for on-going improvements to our provision. Comments and compliments about your course can be raised with your course representative or directly with your personal tutor. If you have a specific complaint about an act or omission of our University, you may be able to make a complaint under the Student Complaints Procedure. In the first instance, you should raise the matter as soon as possible with the member of staff most directly concerned, or with the person who can best resolve it. If this does not resolve the matter, or if the complaint is too serious to be addressed in this way, then you should make a formal complaint in writing. Information about how to make a complaint, including the student complaints procedure and a complaints form, is available online at: are considering withdrawing from the course If you are considering withdrawal from your course you should speak to your personal tutor, a member of staff at our Student Hub or the Students Union to discuss your reasons. If there is a problem, University or Students Union staff may be able to help. It may be possible to arrange temporary withdrawal from your course and if you decide to withdraw permanently or temporarily, you must complete a withdrawal form. This form must be submitted as soon as possible to your faculty office as withdrawals cannot normally be backdated. For further details see General Student Regulations at: 6. Relevant Policies 6.1 Student Charter Our University and Students Union recently agreed upon the Student Charter which outlines what is expected of students of Leeds Beckett University and what students can expect from our University. The most recent version of our Student Charter is at: Student Entitlements Our student entitlements, listed at the front of this handbook, will help to ensure the student charter is embedded as part of our approach to providing a good quality, consistent learning experience for all our full-time and part-time undergraduate students. 20

21 You can find the full student entitlements from: Personal Tutors You are entitled to have one meeting per semester with your personal tutor in each year of your course. See Key Contacts in Section 1 for details of how to contact your personal tutor. See Section 4 for an overview of the support you can expect from your personal tutor. You can find full details of our personal tutor policy from the Student Hub webpages: Safety, Health and Wellbeing Policy Statement Our University is committed to providing a vibrant, ethical and sustainable working environment that values wellbeing and diversity. This commitment exists alongside our wider legal and moral obligations to provide a safe and healthy working environment for our staff, students and members of the public who may be affected by our activities. There are further details at (see H - Health and Safety Policy Policy Statement). Smoking No smoking is permitted in any of our University buildings, this includes the use of vapour cigarettes (or other similar devices); if you do smoke outside our buildings please make sure that you stand at least five metres way from building entrances and boundaries. Use of Laptops within our University If you need to charge your laptop battery, please make sure that the battery charger/lead are undamaged, and only plug it into a designated power socket if you are unsure of where these are, please ask a member of staff. Please make sure your battery charger cables do not create a trip hazard. Fire Safety Procedures Fire information is present on Fire Action Notices displayed in all our University buildings. These are normally present in corridors. Please read and follow the instructions. All fire exit routes are clearly identified. You should familiarise yourself with the location of fire exit routes and fire assembly points for the buildings that you may use in the course of your studies. If you discover a fire, you should sound the alarm by operating the Fire Alarm Call Point. You should report the circumstances and site of fire using the emergency number indicated on the Fire Action Notice. 21

22 Do not tackle the fire unless you have been trained to do so. Evacuate the building to the fire assembly point indicated on the Fire Action Notice. Do not re-enter the building until officially authorised to do so. On hearing the Fire Alarm, everyone should proceed calmly to the nearest available safe fire exit, as indicated by the green and white fire exit signage. Take appropriate action to assist visitors and mobility-impaired persons or wheelchair users to a safe refuge. Upon exiting the building, continue on to the fire assembly point so as not to impede the remaining evacuees exiting the building. Evacuation is practised through fire drills. However, you should regard any continuous sounding of the alarm as a fire incident and act accordingly. Disabled Students You are expected to declare any disability that would affect your safety in the event of a fire, e.g. hearing impairment or the use of a wheelchair. If you are referred to the Disability Adviser, a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) will be developed for you as appropriate. Disabled students must declare their disability, to the University, for it to be taken into consideration. You can find further information about the support available to disabled students studying at our University and contact details on our website: First Aid First Aid Notices (green and white) are displayed in all University buildings alongside the Fire Action Notices (predominantly blue and white) and alongside, or adjacent to, each First Aid box. First Aid Notices provide all the information you may require to seek and summon assistance. First Aider contact details can also be obtained from the Student Hub or from Security: City Campus, internal ext or Headingley Campus, internal ext Accident and Incident and Reporting All accidents and incidents and dangerous occurrences, must be reported to, and recorded by University staff. Accident report forms (HS1) are available at faculty reception offices, Security and Student Hubs. Infectious Disease Campus-based students who have been diagnosed with a serious infectious disease such as TB, measles, meningitis or chicken pox should notify their course leader or administrator as 22

23 soon as possible giving information regarding which groups of students (and/or colleagues and clients on placements) you have been in contact with and when. For diseases such as TB or meningitis, the West Yorkshire Health Protection Team may also wish to speak to you (or your family) to determine if others require screening or medication. You should follow advice given by the hospital or your GP about when it is safe to return to University. 7. University Regulations There are two sets of regulations you need to be aware of, The University Academic Principles and Regulations and The General Regulations: Leeds Beckett University Students. The Academic Principles and Regulations relate specifically to your studies and your course. They cover issues such as assessment, progression and award requirements amongst a range of other issues. The General Student Regulations deal with a range of issues which apply to all students of our University. 7.1 Academic Principles and Regulations Our University Academic Principles and Regulations can be found at: You should familiarise yourself with the Academic Principles and Regulations. The following sections are of particular relevance to your course: Assessment general provisions (C1) Achievement of credit (C2) Student progression (C3) Conferment of awards (C4) Management of assessment (C5) Conduct of assessment: coursework and other assessed work (C6) Administration and conduct of examinations (C7) Written examinations: regulations for candidates (C8) Cheating, plagiarism and other forms of unfair practice (C9) Disabled students and students with specific learning difficulties (C10) Boards of examiners and examination committees (C12) Disclosure of assessment results (C14) 23

24 Extenuating circumstances and mitigation (C15) Appeal against a decision of a board of examiners or examination committee (C16) The Students Union Advice service ( is able to offer advice and guidance on how to understand and use the Academic Principles and Regulations. Where students are undertaking any form of research project, reference should be made to the Research Ethics Policy and Research Ethics Procedures which can be found at: General Regulations The General Student Regulations are available at the following web link: You should familiarise yourself with the student regulations 24

25 Appendix A Programme Specification BAH International Relations Qualification Summary Target Award Title & Level BAH International Relations L6 Contained Awards BA International Relations Mode of Study & Standard Course Length Full Time Part Time Location City Campus Faculty HSS School School Of S, P & C S Programme Code BAIRT 1 Year 2 Years Details of Professional Body Accreditation N/A Approved Exemptions to Academic Principles and Regulations The BA (Hons) International Relations (top-up) adheres to the University Academic Principles and Regulations. About Your Course Overview and Aims This course is a one year top-up degree in International Relations. It aims to provide students with the equivalent of two years HE study in a social science or other cognate discipline with the opportunity to intensively focus in their final year on International Relations and receive a degree in that subject. The course has been developed to meet demand from overseas, in the first instance. The Politics & Applied Global Ethics (PAGE) group (see below) has an emerging partnership with a network of Universities in Turkey where students have demonstrated an interest in a year of study in the UK. Students progressing through this route will need to satisfy the same entry requirements and will have typically studied for the equivalent of three years (ETCs 120) prior to enrolling on the course. They will then study for one year with us and on successful completion of the course will be awarded a BA (Hons) International Relations. However, the course is also designed in such a way as other students from the UK or elsewhere will be able to enrol, subject to meeting the admissions criteria. This award will be based in Politics and Applied Global Ethics (PAGE). It provides a distinctive curriculum designed to challenge orthodoxy in International Relations against the premise that orthodox approaches are failing to address the most pressing contemporary challenges. Students are encouraged to develop their personal effectiveness and 25

26 commitment to progressive change for a more socially just and environmentally sustainable world, alongside their subject knowledge and analytical capacity. PAGE takes a holistic approach to global issues of importance for the future of humankind. Our vision and values are encapsulated in the words of our title: By Political we mean focussed on common problems, collective and negotiated solutions, grounded in historical and theoretical insights. By Applied we mean focussed on real world problems and solutions. This extends from our research output and curriculum to the skills of our graduates, who will not only engage in critical academic thinking, but will be able to work within their environment to make a difference, whether this be through employment, entrepreneurship, activism or public life. By Global we mean focussed on global issues such as peace and conflict, climate change, poverty and fairer, more equitable societies; and also in the sense of the universality of our approach from individual to society, in our personal and professional lives, and from local to global communities By Ethical we mean questioning the underlying assumptions and values behind our decisions and actions, and exploring notions of justice, responsibility and accountability in our practice. This course combines Undergraduate study in the academic discipline of International Relations. The curriculum and teaching approach across the course reflects the core philosophical position which underpins the entire PAGE UG Programme. Broadly speaking, the core philosophical position underpinning the UG Programme is that there is an inter-related set of dynamics at the international level (which can be studied from the perspective of the PAGE curriculum strands) which make progressive change necessary but not inevitable. Building on this, the philosophy of the UG Programme is first that students need to be able to cope at an individual level with the challenges that will be thrown up by these dynamics, such as for instance an ability to take charge of their own learning in the future and to be comfortable in inter- cultural communication. Second, the UG Programme aims to help students to challenge conventional wisdom, distinguish the key problems and understand where innovative solutions are necessary by identifying where existing theories and ways of thinking have either failed or are part of the problem. Course Structure 26

27 In this one year top-up degree in international relations, the curriculum emphasis is on building on students existing knowledge of social science enquiry to develop a familiarity with the core theoretical approaches to understanding the international and applying these to key contemporary issues and debates. For example, International Relations Theory will provide students with a background in the key theoretical literature and debates. Environment and Global Politics will ask students to address one of the most pressing global (in all senses of the word) issues facing mankind today and consider the barriers to an effective political solution to this. In Governing Globalisation, students will extent this focus, developing a broader understanding of debates about world order and its institutional construction through processes of international organisation, collective action and processes of global leadership. In the Independent Project, students will be asked to focus more deeply on an international issue to extend their knowledge as well as develop and demonstrate their capacity for (supported) independent study, research and critical evaluation of theory and evidence. Students will be offered a choice of modules to allow them to structure their degree according to their interests. Debating Empire and Imperialism will ask students to think critically about the distribution of power and resources in the international system, and the sustainability of the political and economic structures of world order. European Union Politics and Policy Making explores governance at a regional level via an examination of institutional development and policy making capacity of the European Union. This will involve an examination of the internal and external politics of Semester the European 1 Union, including Core key policy Semester areas and 2 the international role Core of (Y) the EU (Y) European Union Politics and Policy Making (20 Credits) Y Governing Globalisation (20 credits) Y International Relations Theory (20 credits) Environment and Global Politics (20 credits) Y Or Debating Empire and Imperialism (20 credits) Independent Project (40 credits) N N Course Learning Outcomes 1 Critically engage with the key theoretical approaches to international relations, using these to critically engage and interpret contemporary international issues. 2 Demonstrate an awareness of key ethical issues and debates in the study of international relations. 3 Critically engage with the role of key agencies in international relations, including their governance and operations 27

28 4 Ability to work in teams and independently; to plan, organise and prioritise work tasks to achieve structured goals and reflect on performance 5 An ability to critique arguments, evidence and data including knowledge of research methodologies and data collection and demonstration of information literacy. 6 Ability to communicate complex ideas to a range of different audiences whose first language might not be English, both in writing and orally, using a range of technologies. Level Learning Outcomes N/A Learning & Teaching Activities Practical examples of the approach set out in box 44 include the way in which assessment tasks are set. In the wider PAGE curriculum Level 6 students are encouraged to set their own tasks, within clearly identified structures, to meet the learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Similarly, reading lists become progressively less prescriptive and encourage students to locate their own resources. In several modules students are challenged to undertake self- assessment of their assignments in order to develop their self-awareness and reflexivity regarding the quality of their work. For example Environment and World Politics asks students to work in groups in a simulation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to produce group report and then to reflect on their own learning and group engagement with the activity. Examples of learning, teaching and assessment practices include the use of online learning journals, invited speakers in seminar series and also within modules. Emphasis is placed on collaborative learning, for example in European Politics and Policy Making students are required to produce presentations online with their peers encouraged to view and provide feedback on each other s work via online discussion forums. In Global Governance students work in small groups throughout the module deconstructing core readings and then disseminating their research to the wider group. Assessment Strategy The assessment strategy for this course has been developed with the following key principles in mind: In the wider PAGE curriculum students are progressed through a range of assessments types with the variety and complexity increasing within and between levels. For example at level 4 assessments include essays, groupwork, presentations and online journals, while at levels 5 and 6 increasing use is made of alternatives such as reports, literature reviews and the extended independent project. This course is only one year in duration and assumes a maturity gained from academic study at Levels 4 and 5 prior to entry to the course. It therefore 28

29 focuses on maintaining assessment variety within the confines of a single year and appropriate to final year UG study. In this course the assessment types include an exam, academic essays, applied report style written assignments, group tasks, individual presentations and an extended academic dissertation. The inclusion of a range of assessment types avoids the over-reliance on a narrow range of assessment methods, and allows the development of a greater range of personal, academic and employability skills. Students are supported through this progression of assessment types with dedicated teaching and learning sessions designed to facilitate academic and personal development Assessments are spaced throughout the semester to avoid bunching of submission dates and to allow for formative feedback in one assessment to be incorporated into the summative assessment. Assessments are designed to prepare students for a variety of graduate destinations. Many graduates pursue further study on leaving the UG Programme, and are supported through assessments tailored to postgraduate study, for example a variety of academic essays and ultimately the extended independent project that advances the students academic research, analytical and writing skills. This is balanced by the incorporation of a range of additional assessment types that are designed to support the development transferable employability skills. Leeds Beckett University Graduate Attributes All our undergraduate courses have three distinctive attributes embedded at each level of the curriculum: our students are taught to be Enterprising, Digitally Literate and have a Global Outlook The graduate attributes that have informed the development of courses throughout the L eeds Met Undergraduate provision are Digital Literacy, Enterprise and Global Outlook This course has embedded the concept of Digital Literacy within and between the three levels of study to ensure that students develop the skill to be able to: use appropriate online tools to locate, access, evaluate, utilise and cite diverse information sources that facilitate learning and critical inquiry of International Relations and adhere to the standards of academic honesty in their use of that information. This will form part of the assessment, with students required to research and produce essays and their independent project utilising online tools, with all written work to be submitted via Turnitin to ensure standards of academic honesty. effectively create content, demonstrate creative thinking and knowledge construction via online formats to communicate opinions and ideas about International Relations. For example in European Politics and 29

30 Policy Making students are required to produce presentations online with their peers encouraged to view and provide feedback on each other s work via online discussion forums. use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. proficiently manage group interactions and engage in online communities, with online discussion forums included within each module on x-stream. This is designed to provide opportunities for students to raise questions, voice opinions and raise issues in relation to International Relations in order to engender online communities and inclusivity. be aware of the capabilities and limitations of current and emerging technology resources, particularly in relation to the production of individual and group research, particularly in the module Environment and Global Politics. This will be a particular feature of the Independent Project. confidently use digital technologies to reflect on, record and manage their own learning. This will be a developed via the incorporation of online journals, particularly in International Relations Theory, and e- portfolios into reflective practice across the modules. In relation to the development of Enterprise as an attribute for graduates of International Relations, our course embeds a definition that focusses on enterprising skills that prepare students for employment and/ or post graduate study. Important within these are creative and innovative thinking, investigatory skills, confidence building, resourcefulness and initiative. Graduates of International Relations will be able to : Develop problem solving skills in a range of different contexts. This is built into assessments within certain modules, such as Governing Globalisation. Identify skill requirements and potential sources of s upport, and develop realistic plans for personal development, set objectives and monitor outcomes This will be assessed within a number of modules that require reflection on personal and academic development, such as Environment and Global Politics. Demonstrate the ability to build relationships and networks with other students, potential and actual co-workers and/or potential employers. Students will be required to work in groups to help develop and reflect on individual roles within team work. As part of the employability focus of the course, external speakers regularly visit the cohort and provide insights into existing International Relations networks. Our course is defined by its Global Outlook. The study of International Relations necessarily requires students to appreciate and critically engage with ideas of global connectedness, localisation, diversity, and inclusivity. Within the course students will be able to 30

31 Apply and analyse the relevance of the study of International Relations to understanding a range of global, regional, national and local contexts. This will be a central feature of all modules within the course. Engage with the debates around Ethics and their relevance for the study of International Relations and the conduct of research in the area. This will be a particular feature of the Independent Project, but will also be explored in all other modules. Develop awareness of issues of inclusivity and exclusivity, particularly in relation to working with others. The focus on group work and team building is designed to facilitate the development of such awareness, supported by opportunities for reflection throughout the course. Employability and Work Related Learning Employability & Professional Context The BA (Hons) International Relations (top-up) combines academic study with the development of applied transferable skills which would be of use in an organisational context related to international issues such as conflict resolution in a variety of different settings, project work, campaigning organisations, internationally oriented NGOs, international organisations and government departments. It is an ideal opportunity for HE students with an interest in a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds such as politics, economics, philosophy, geography, history religious studies and theology, though there are no set requirements in this regard. The course also provides an introduction to research skills and therefore can serve as a base for students to pursue a research oriented development pathway. The course team are in touch with a wide range of alumni who are pursuing a range of interesting career options. Around 50% of graduates pursue further study on graduation, largely at Russell Group Universities in the UK, though a smaller number go abroad to study. Other important destinations include self- employment in the establishing of charities (e.g. working in large NGOs such as Oxfam, and working in the voluntary and community sector, often overseas. In addition, a small number of students have pursued connected careers in youth work, teaching and nursing often exploring these as a result of the volunteering module that they engage in on the course. We have also recently introduced a new PG route of our own which is designed to appeal to our own students (MA International Political Economy) and are marketing other Leeds Met PG awards to our UG students, including the MA in Responsible Tourism and the MA in Public Health. The course is ideally suited to preparing students for these destinations. Indeed, recent correspondence with a previous student confirms this: the way the course has been set up and delivered prepares you for the work place much more so than reading a subject like English Literature. I have been able to apply a lot 31

32 of what I have learnt at uni into the general workplace and being able to understand the current world we live in adds a different dimension to you as an individual. Graduate in 2010/11. Further information on options with a degree in Politics and International Relations can be found on: Learning & Teaching Approaches The philosophy of the course is that participants are encouraged to develop critical understanding of the issues involved and to translate this awareness into a wide variety of individually defined practice oriented. The courses take the view that there is no one answer to the issues raised, but it is important, through reading, research and discussion to take a principled and reflective position on issues such as peace and war, climate change, global inequality and human rights. The programme will utilise a variety of pedagogical techniques including both teacher-led and student-led activity with the balance progressively moving from the former to the latter. Face-to-face and podcast lectures will be augmented by small group teaching and discussion forums. Some of these draw on problem-based and enquiry-based learning methods. Small groups are used to explore ideas and material introduced in lectures in an interactive way and are used to enable students to develop and demonstrate their understanding and awareness. Students will be expected to engage in face-to-face and online discussions give presentations, write reports and academic essays. The curriculum emphasis in this one year top-up award is on the development and application of theory and critical thinking to contemporary issues in international relations. This gives an applied feel to the curriculum with students asked to take a problem solving approach throughout. E-learning, Blended Learning and Online Resources Use of Virtual Learning Environment The course makes extensive use of the VLE in all modules. In all modules use of the VLE meets the University s minimum expectations. In addition, the VLE is frequently used in different modules for the following additional elements: Links to external learning modules designed by Module Leaders and video lectures (e.g. politics-in-the-long-twentieth-century-module- overview/) Hosting of additional learning resources such as video resources placed on the University s streaming facility. Discussion forums for each module a student café discussion forum provides opportunities for students to raise questions related to the module. Turnitin and grade mark are used systematically across all modules. There is a lively facebook group that provides support to students across all levels and a PAGE twitter feed which has a large number of followers and provides access to the latest news and research in peace and development studies. 32

33 Use of Blended Learning No element of the course is provided wholly online but all modules supplement face to face contact time with tutor contact on the VLE through live discussions, participation in sequential discussions and through the posting of video and other additional learning resources. Quality and Standards of Our Courses ( Leeds-Met-11.aspx) All of our courses are quality assured by the UK Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). They are rigorously monitored and reviewed to ensure they meet the required standards of the QAA and to provide students with a high quality learning experience. Students are encouraged to contribute to shaping their learning experience and our courses receive regular external scrutiny from subject specialists at other Higher Education Institutions. 33