(MA) Master of Arts
Political Economy
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Government
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time or part-time
None
MA L20612
22/05/2013
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A degree with an overall 2:1.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5
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
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
To provide specific knowledge about theories and empirical evidence relating to issues in political economy, public choice theory and at least one sub-field of economics.
To develop a knowledge of the sources and analysis of different kinds of data (quantitative, qualitative, official statistics, documents, original texts).
To equip students with the ability to evaluate theoretical claims in the light of appropriate empirical evidence.
To develop a capacity for independent research, grounded in the discipline and employing primary (quantitative or qualitative) data.
To prepare students to undertake doctoral research in the field of political economy.
To provide a solid understanding of the interplay between methods, theories and evidence.
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: Advanced knowledge of different modes of explanation and theoretical perspectives in political economy or related fields at an appropriate level.
A2: Understanding of the main quantitative methods used in political analysis.
A3: Critical awareness of the use of evidence in political science.
A4: Knowledge of the main research findings, and main developments and debates in one or more sub-disciplinary or area-oriented fields.
A5: Systematic knowledge of the relevant sources of information.
Learning methods
A1-5 Lectures, participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, writing essays and dissertation, oral and written feedback on essays.
A1 specifically in GV907 Rational Choice Theories of Politics and option.
A2 specifically in GV900 Political Explanation or cognate.
A3 specifically in GV900 and/or GV907 and in supervision of individual dissertations.
A4 specifically in options chosen in consultation with Scheme Director A5 specifically in independent learning.
Assessment methods
Government taught courses assessed 50/50 by continuous assessment through written assignments and essays, and three-hour closed examinations at end of course.
The dissertation is assessed separately, and counts for 25 per cent of the final overall mark Economics options, if taken, are assessed in various ways including exam only, and term-paper + exam.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: To question received thinking.
B2: To develop independent thinking
B3: To muster evidence
B4: To evaluate and analyse evidence
B5: To reason critically.
B6: To argue coherently and concisely
B7: To communicate ideas effectively in writing
B8: To carry out independent research
Learning methods
B1-8. participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, individual guidance on researching and writing essays, oral and written feedback on essays, individual interviews and group sessions with Study Skills Officer
B8 especially in supervised dissertation.
Assessment methods
B1-8. written assignments and essays, written examinations
B8. the dissertation.
C: Practical skills
C1: Organize and structure an extended argument.
C2: Use concepts correctly
C3: Compile systematic bibliographies.
C4: Provide references according to accepted conventions.
C5: Use libraries and IT to access information and scholarly resources
C6: Sift and synthesise complex information
Learning methods
C1-6. participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, individual guidance for essays, individual supervision of dissertations, oral and written feedback on class presentations and essays.
Assessment methods
C1-6. written assignments and essays, closed examinations, supervised dissertation.
C1 especially in dissertation.
C3-6 specifically in essays and dissertation.
C2 essays, examinations, and dissertation.
D: Key skills
D1: Clear, focused, relevant and effective expression and communication.
D2: Access and organise information from a variety of electronic sources
D3: Understand the use of quantitative evidence
D4: To manage projects and timetables. To find, understand and organise information. To work with ideas.
D5: Knowledge of different modes of explanation and theoretical perspectives in political science and political theory at
an appropriate level.
D6: Positive response to feedback and criticism.
Learning methods
D1-4. participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, written assignments and essays, dissertation.
D3 specifically in GV900 Political Explanation or cognate and GV907.
D4 specifically in scheduling and balancing requirements for four courses taught in parallel.
D6 specifically in individual guidance on essays, oral and written feedback on essays.
Assessment methods
D1-4. written assignments and essays, examinations, dissertation D6 classroom presentations, written assignments and essays.