PROGRAMME APPROVAL FORM: TAUGHT PROGRAMMES SECTION 1 THE PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION 1. Programme title and designation Double Masters in Asian & European Affairs For undergraduate programmes only Single honours Joint Major/minor 2. Final award Award Title Credit value MA Master European Affairs (King s College London) International Politics (Renmin University of China) 3. Nested award Award Title Credit value N/A 4. Exit award Award Title Credit value PGDiploma PGCert (for PGT. Delete if UG) ECTS Any special criteria equivalent 210 105 30 credits transferred from RUC. These would come from the two RUC compulsory modules where students obtain their highest marks (even though the marks themselves will not be transferred). The list of compulsory modules is available from the Programme Structure section. 120 60 5. Level in the qualifications framework ECTS equivalent ECTS equivalent 60 30 Any special criteria Any special criteria See 'Other relevant information to explain the programme structure' section 6. Attendance Full-time Part-time Distance learning Mode of attendance X N/A N/A Minimum length of programme Maximum length of programme 2 years 6 years 7. Awarding institution/body King s College London & Renmin University of China 8. Teaching institution King s College London & Renmin University of China 9. Proposing department European & International Studies 10. Programme organiser and contact Details Dr Ramon Pacheco Pardo ramon.pacheco@kcl.ac.uk
020 7848 2209 11. Relevant QAA subject benchmark/ Professional, statutory and regulatory N/A body guidelines (UG: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuringstandardsandquality /SUBJECT-GUIDANCE/Pages/Honours-degree-benchmarkstatements.aspx PGT: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuringstandardsandquality/subjectguidance/pages/master%27s-degree-benchmarkstatements.aspx) 12. Date of production of specification November 2014 13. Date of programme review 2018/19 14. Educational aims of the programme i.e. what is the purpose of the programme and general statements about the learning that takes place over the duration of the programme The programme aims to provide in-depth knowledge of the politics, economics and society of Europe and (East) Asia. It builds on the expertise on European affairs at the Department of European & International Studies at KCL and the expertise on China and East Asia at the School of International Studies at RUC. The combination of this expertise will provide students with the required knowledge to critically study, assess and understand European, (East) Asian and global politics broadly understood. In addition, the programme provides students with the opportunity to experience and compare the cultures and academic environments of the United Kingdom and China. The programme offers postgraduate-level education in European and (East) Asian affairs, as well as disciplinary and methodological training in the field of Political Science; the opportunity to study and understand a variety of political, economic and societal topics; and the possibility to gain specialised knowledge on two topics of the student s choice through the completion of two research dissertations one for KCL and one for RUC. Furthermore, students will also have the opportunity to study some modules outside of the DEIS and SIS. 15. Educational objectives of the programme/programme outcomes (as relevant to the SEEC Credit Level Descriptors) The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding and skills in the following areas: Knowledge and understanding The programme provides a knowledge and understanding of the following: Students will gain knowledge and understanding about: 1. European and East Asian politics, economics and society. 2. Theories and concepts employed by political scientists and other social scientists researching and writing on European and East Asian politics, economics and society, as well as These are achieved through the following teaching/learning methods and strategies: 1. Six compulsory modules on these themes (two at KCL and four at RUC) plus elective modules on specific topics related to these themes. 2. Selected compulsory and recommended readings for each module, lectures making use of these theories and concepts, and tutor-led
contemporary debates on these theories and concepts. 3. A range of methodologies employed by political scientists and other social scientists researching European and East Asian politics, economics and society. 4. Political Science as well as the range of its sub-disciplines, such as International Relations and International Political Economy. seminars in which student discussion and presentations will take place. 3. Seminars on dissertation writing in which research methodology is discussed, as well as supervised dissertation writing including one-onone meetings where methodology is discussed. 4. Module lectures and seminars built around or implicitly discussing these interrelationships and sub-disciplines, as well as essay and dissertation writing, written feedback, and when requested by a student oral feedback. Skills and other attributes Assessment: 1. Compulsory and elective modules at KCL will be assessed via the standard requirement of 4,000-word essays for 20-credit modules. At RUC, there will be a variety of assessment patterns mixing essays, exams and/or presentations. 2. Students will write two 10,000-word dissertations, one for KCL and another one for RUC. Intellectual skills: Students will be expected to demonstrate: 1. The ability to critically engage with and evaluate Political Science literature. 2. The ability to understand, discuss and critically evaluate Political Science theories, concepts and methods. 3. The ability to apply knowledge to exercise informed and independent critical judgment. 4. The capacity to present informed and reasoned original arguments, both in written and oral formats. 5. The capacity to gather, evaluate and combine the use of primary and secondary data. These are achieved through the following teaching/learning methods and strategies: 1. Selected compulsory and recommended readings for each module, tutor-led seminars in which student discussions and presentations will take place, and essay and dissertation writing. 2. Module lectures and tutor-led seminars in which these theories and concepts and implicitly or explicitly discussed, essay written feedback in which these theories, concepts and methods are discussed, and supervised dissertation writing and written feedback in which they are discussed. 3. Tutor-led seminars in which students discussions and presentations will take place, and essay and dissertation writing.
4. Tutor-led seminars in which students discussions and presentations will take place, and essay and dissertation writing. 5. Tutor-led seminars in which student discussions and presentations will take place, and essay and dissertation writing. Assessment: 1. Compulsory and elective modules at KCL will be assessed via the standard requirement of 4,000-word essays for 20-credit modules. At RUC, there will be a variety of assessment patterns mixing essays, exams and/or presentations. 2. Students will write two 10,000-word dissertations, one for KCL and another one for RUC. Practical skills: Students will be expected to demonstrate: 1. The ability to gather and critically evaluate primary data. 2. The ability to gather and critically interpret secondary data. 3. The capacity to apply theories and concepts to analyse primary and secondary data. 4. The capacity to select and apply relevant methodologies to theories, concepts and data. 5. The ability to actively and productively contribute to group discussions. 6. The capacity to assess and evaluate the ethical implications of conducting original research. These are achieved through the following teaching/learning methods and strategies: 1. Essay and dissertation writing, written feedback, and when requested by a student oral feedback. 2. Essay and dissertation writing, written feedback, and when requested by a student oral feedback. 3. Essay and dissertation writing, written feedback, and when requested by a student oral feedback. 4. Essay and dissertation writing, written feedback, and when requested by a student oral feedback. 5. Tutor-led seminars in which student discussions and presentations will take place. 6. Supervised dissertation writing including one-on-one meetings where the ethical aspects of original research are discussed. Assessment: 1. Compulsory and elective modules at KCL will be assessed via the standard requirement of 4,000-word essays for
20-credit modules. At RUC, there will be a variety of assessment patterns mixing essays, exams and/or presentations. 2. Students will write two 10,000-word dissertations, one for KCL and another one for RUC. Generic/transferable skills: Students will be expected to demonstrate: 1. The ability to project effective communication skills in writing. 2. The ability to project effective oral communication skills. 3. The ability to effectively work as part of a team. 4. The ability to effectively contribute to group discussions. 5. The ability to effectively work independently. 6. The ability to effectively manage multiple deadlines. These are achieved through the following teaching/learning methods and strategies: 1. Essay and dissertation writing. 2. Tutor-led seminars in which student discussions and presentations will take place. 3. Tutor-led seminars in which small group student discussions and group presentations will take place. 4. Tutor-led seminars in which student discussions and presentations will take place. 5. Individual presentations and essay and dissertation writing. 6. Seminar presentation delivery and essay and dissertation writing. Assessment: 1. Compulsory and elective modules at KCL will be assessed via the standard requirement of 4,000-word essays for 20-credit modules. At RUC, there will be a variety of assessment patterns mixing essays, exams and/or presentations. 2. Students will write two 10,000-word dissertations, one for KCL and another one for RUC. 16. Statement of how the programme has been informed by the relevant subject benchmark statement(s)/professional, statutory and regulatory body guidelines (UG: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuringstandardsandquality/subject-guidance/pages/honours-degreebenchmark-statements.aspx PGT: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuringstandardsandquality/subject-guidance/pages/master%27s-degree-benchmarkstatements.aspx) N/A
17. In cases of joint honours programmes please provide a rationale for the particular subject combination, either educational or academic N/A Which is the lead department and/or School?
18. Programme structure See Programme Handbook for modules to be taken. If a Masters programme, are level 6 credit levels permitted within the programme? Only Chinese language (level 6 credit levels) is permitted. Maximum number of credits permitted with a condoned fail (core modules excluded) 30 Are students permitted to take any additional credits, as per regulation A3; 5.9? No, students are not permitted to take any additional credits. Are students permitted to take a substitute module, as per regulation A3; 5.10? No, students are not permitted to take a substitute module. Are there are any exceptions to the regulations regarding credits, progression or award requirements? (where relevant the information should also differentiate the particular requirements of pathways within a programme or nested/exit awards) Standard progression requirements apply. Other relevant information to explain the programme structure Please note that new students enrolling on the information provided on this section of the PAF will have these regulations stipulated throughout their programme of study. The only exception to this will be if there are changes made by Professional, Regulatory or Statutory Bodies that are noted to this programme. * At RUC, one credit equals 32 class hours. Private study, reflection and assessment are not included as part of a credit. Year One (RUC): 28 RUC credits earned through 4 x 2/3 credits compulsory modules, 2 x 2/3 credits optional modules, 1 x 4 credits Chinese-language module,1 x 4 credits dissertation, and 4 credits to be transferred from KCL. The four compulsory modules would cover East Asian history, institutions and politics, EU and East Asian comparative regionalism, Chinese politics, and social science methodology. The optional modules would include a combination of Asia-related, EU-Asia related, and China-focused contents. It should be noted that most China-focused modules have an East Asia comparative dimension to them. Year Two (KCL): 210 credits earned through 2 x 20 credits compulsory modules, 80 credits optional modules, 1 x 60 credits dissertation, and 30 credits transferred from RUC. The two compulsory modules would cover EU history, institutions and politics (thus complementing the RUC module covering the same topic for East Asia), and EU-Asia relations (thus complementing the RUC module on EU and East Asian comparative regionalism). The optional modules would be EU/Europe-related, and there would also be the option of studying social science methodology. Progression: Students will be granted provisional progression status to be able to start Year Two at KCL before their final results are ratified by the RUC Exam Board. Also, students will complete their RUC dissertation while taking Year Two at KCL, using both KCL and RUC resources. A compulsory defence of
the RUC dissertation would take place in May of Year Two (i.e., while students are at KCL); the defence would be via videoconference or in person with RUC academic staff deployed from China. Students who fail one or more of their RUC modules will take their re-sits while taking Year Two at KCL; essays, briefing papers and portfolios would be submitted online and presentations would be made online or over the phone. In accordance with the nature of a dual degree programme, successful students would receive two different MA certificates based predominantly on the work undertaken at each of the institutions, but with some credit transferred from work undertaken at the other institutions. The certificate from RUC would only be issued at the end of Year Two, since award of the RUC Masters requires completion of a dissertation written during Year Two plus the transfer of the equivalent to 4 RUC credits from KCL. Only credits will be transferred between the programme, not marks which means that students could potentially be awarded two different degree classifications. PGDip: Students who gain 120 credits overall, of which not more than 30 credits may be 'condoned fails', will be eligible for a PGDip in European Affairs from KCL. PGCert: Students who pass at least 60 credits, of which not more than 15 credits may be 'condoned' fails, but either fail to pass 120 or withdraw from the programme will be eligible for a PGCert in European Affairs from KCL.
19. Marking criteria The marking criteria for KCL modules follows the School of Arts & Humanities general criteria for the assessment of Level 7 modules. The marking criteria for RUC modules follows the following criteria: 90-100 A 86-89 B 83-85 B+ 80-82 B 76-79 B- 73-75 C+ 70-72 C 66-69 C- 63-65 D+ 60-62 D 0-59 Fail NB: There will no mark transfer between KCL and RUC, only credit transfer. 20. Will this Programme report to an existing Board, and if so which one? If a new Programme Board of Examiners is to be set up please note name of Board here Yes, it will report to the Postgraduate Exam Board of the Department of European & International studies. 21. Please confirm that the process for nominating External Examiners has commenced, and if known, note whom the nominated External Examiner(s) may be The External Examiner would be the current External Examiner for the MA in European Studies and MA in European Public Policy. 22. Measures to help ensure that the programme is inclusive to all students Admissions: All students in receipt of an offer will receive information on the support services offered by King s prior to starting their studies. All students who indicate a learning disability or dyslexia and/or other conditions prior to starting their studies will be directed towards the College s Disability Advisory Service and Disability & Dyslexia Service. All students who enquire about childcare support prior to starting their studies will be sent the College s advice guide to Childcare. They will also be directed towards Student Advisers available through Student Services Publicity and Course Booklets: These materials clearly communicate the key skills required to complete the programme, the content of each module, the intended teaching and provisional assessment methods to be used (the latter if available), and module status (core/compulsory/optional). Teaching Methods: Teaching will follow and lecture plus seminar format. Requests from students with learning disabilities or other conditions to facilitate their following of this format
will be accommodated. This might include, but not be limited to, the recording of lectures and/or class discussions and/or early access to lecture and seminar materials. Assessment: A wide range of assessment methods will be used. Students with a learning disability or dyslexia and/or other conditions will be provided alternative assessment and/or deadline extensions if necessary. Guidelines from the College s Equalities Unit will be followed. Students who cannot be supported in this way will be sent the College s Personalised Examination Provisions information. They will receive the necessary support to have their needs assessed by the Personalised Examination Provisions Committee. Decisions taken by this Committee will be implemented. Assessment methods will be communicated to students prior to the start of their studies through the Department s Handbook. They will also be communicated through each module s course syllabus, available on KEATS and, if applicable, distributed in paper format. Students will be given the opportunity to discuss their assessment prior to submission and the examiner s feedback upon its release. Programme feedback: Feedback on the programme and each module will be regularly collected from students. The information is used towards the on-going development and improvement of the programme and specific modules. Feedback on the programme and each module will be regularly collected from the External Examiner as well. This information will be discussed during the annual full Postgraduate Exam Board and it will be used towards the on-going development of the programme and specific modules as well.
PROGRAMME APPROVAL FORM SECTION 3 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Not all of the information in this section will be relevant for all programmes and for some programmes this section will not be relevant at all 1. Programme name Double Masters in Asian & European Affairs 2. Is this programme involved in collaborative activity? Yes X No If yes what type of Collaborative Provision is it (tick appropriate box)? Does the programme have an access/feeder Programme for entry into it? Does the programme have an articulation/ progression agreement for entry into it? Dual Award X Franchised Provision Joint Award Multiple Award Partnership Programme Recognition of Study or Award of Credit through off-campus study or placement Placements, including those in industry, those required for teacher education, experience necessary for qualifications in the health professions and continuing professional development Staff and student exchange Provision of learning support, resources or specialist facilities Validated provision Distance learning and online delivery involving work with delivery organisations or support providers
Have the relevant stages and appropriate paperwork been approved and the paperwork forwarded onto QAS Office? X Yes No Not applicable 3. If the programme is a joint award with an institution outwith the University of London, validated provision or franchised provision, has the necessary approval been sought from College Education Committee? Yes No Not applicable X Please attach a copy of Part 1 of the Partner Profile and checklist submitted to the College Education Committee 4. Partnership programme - in cases where parts or all of the programme are delivered away from one of the College campuses by a body or bodies external to the College please provide the following details Name and address of the off-campus location and external body Renmin University of China 59 Zhongguancun Street Haidian District Beijing 100872 China Percentage/amount of the programme delivered off-campus or by external body 50% Nature of the involvement of external body Teaching, student assessment, participation in admission process, participation in programme administration. Description of the learning resources available at the off-campus location Expert academic staff, classroom space, library and electronic resources, administration staff. What mechanisms will be put in place to ensure the ongoing monitoring of the delivery of the programme, to include monitoring of learning resources off-site or by the external body? There will be a dedicated programme director at KCL (Dr Ramon Pacheco Pardo), a dedicated programme director at RUC (Dr Xu Ying), and a dedicated administrative staff at RUC (Ms Pan Haiyan). Furthermore, monitoring of the programme will be conducted by the SSLC and the DEC at the DEIS; an annual programme meeting (in person or online); regular visits to the partner institution (at least once every three years); monitoring of the partner s programme and module documentation upon request; and formal and informal collection of student feedback. Information on the contents and assessment of the RUC modules has been sent to the DEIS. These will be monitored on an annual basis. Results obtained by Double Masters students in their RUC modules will also be monitored on an annual basis. All these measures will serve to assure the integrity of RUC modules. Other measures will be considered at the request of KCL.
Please attach the report of the visit to the off-campus location 5. Recognition of study or award of credit through off-campus study or placement - please indicate how the time will be spent, the length of time out, the amount of credit and whether it is a compulsory or optional part of the programme Year abroad, Year in employment, Internship, Placement Other (please specify) X Time spent 1 year Credit amount 120..Compulsory. 6. Please provide a rationale for any such time outside the College, other than that which is a requirement of a professional, statutory or regulatory body The programme is designed for students to learn about European and Asian politics broadly understood. The SIS at RUC will provide the necessary expertise for students to learn about Asian politics, thus complementing the DEIS expertise on European politics. 7. Please give details if the programme requires validation or accreditation by a professional, statutory or regulatory body Name and address of PSB Date validation/accreditation commenced: Frequency of validation/ accreditation Date of last validation/accreditation Date of next validation/ accreditation