(MA) Master of Arts
Social and Political Thought
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Masters
Part-time
None
MA VL5224
25/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A Degree with an overall 2.2 in Philosophy, Politics, or Sociology, or a related subject such as: Archaeology, Anthropology, Art History, History, Law, Literature, or foreign languages with literature components.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5 except for 6.0 in writing
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr Alexander Golob
Senior Lecturer
King's College London
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Demonstrate substantial knowledge of philosophical methods and how they can be used to enhance the understanding of the social and political world and the crises we are facing.
A2: Demonstrate an enhanced understanding of how these crises practically affect different dimensions of social and political life.
A3: Demonstrate substantial knowledge and critical understanding of social and political crises and how to respond to them sensitively.
A4: Demonstrate an advanced ability to apply interdisciplinary research methods to address complex socio-political challenges.
A5: Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a selected research area.
Learning methods
Seminar, workshop, lecture, and dissertation support learning outcomes A1-A4.
Supervised research for the dissertation supports learning outcome A5.
The different ways of engaging with the material, coupled with the relatively small size of the classes, will ensure that all students are able to engage with the course in a manner appropriate to each of them.
Assessment methods
Essays, presentations, seminar participation, critical reflections, dissertation support learning Outcomes A1-A5.
For each assessment adjustments can be made to reflect special circumstances, as appropriate.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: The ability to apply philosophical methods and research expertise from a range of disciplines to the study of the current social and political crises of our world.
B2: The ability to assemble information from a variety of sources, and to critically evaluate the merits of conflicting arguments and advanced scholarship in the field.
B3: The ability to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, or conflicting evidence, and communicate their conclusions clearly.
B4: The ability to plan and conduct a substantial research project with guidance from a supervisor and to present it in a coherent manner.
Learning methods
Intellectual/cognitive skills B1-B3 are obtained through seminars, where there is an emphasis on group discussion and critical problem-solving.
All skills are further developed by essays, other forms of written work, and the dissertation.
Skill B4 is fostered in particular through the dissertation plan and execution.
The different ways of engaging with the material, coupled with the relatively small size of the classes, will ensure that all students are able to engage with the course in a manner appropriate to each of them.
Assessment methods
B1-B3 are assessed through essays and other coursework. B4 is assessed through the dissertation.
For each assessment adjustments can be made to reflect special circumstances.
C: Practical skills
C1: The ability to identify, select and retrieve a range of primary source material, and/or relevant theoretical and methodological materials.
C2: The ability to design, use and reflect on various research/study techniques.
C3: The ability to compose extended bibliographies, using relevant reference systems according to established conventions.
C4: The ability to plan, manage, and complete a substantial work of independent study.
Learning methods
Skills C1-C3 are developed through seminar discussion, research for essays and other written work, and through feedback and discussions with module tutors.
Skills C1-C4 are developed through the dissertation.
The different ways of engaging with the material, coupled with the relatively small size of the classes, will ensure that all students are able to engage with the course in a manner appropriate to each of them.
Assessment methods
Skills C1-C4 are assessed through essays and other coursework, as well as the dissertation.
For each assessment adjustments can be made to reflect special circumstances.
D: Key skills
D1: An advanced ability in presenting ideas and evidence, in a clear and concise manner, to others both orally and in writing.
D2: An ability to collect and present materials using information technology.
D3: Not applicable.
D4: Ability to identify problems and apply relevant research methodologies and techniques of writing to resolve them.
D5: A keen awareness of the need to reflect on their own work and to respond constructively to the comments of others.
D6: Ability to reflect on their own learning, to seek and make use of feedback on their own performance, to recognise when further knowledge is required and to undertake the necessary research.
Learning methods
Key skills D1- D6 are acquired through seminars and tutorials where students debate both disciplinary and interdisciplinary issues and problems, as well as through the dissertation.
Skill D2 can also be obtained through the University’s Academic Skills Online course at https://moodle.essex.ac.uk/enrol/index.php?id=5143
The different ways of developing skills, coupled with the relatively small size of the classes, will ensure that all students are able to engage with the course in a manner appropriate to each of them.
Assessment methods
Key skills D1-D6 are assessed throughout the degree through continuous assessed coursework. The MA dissertation is an overall assessment of all skills, namely communication, research management, problem solving skills and improving learning and performance.
For each assessment adjustments can be made to reflect special circumstances.