Programme specification
This programme specification is aimed at prospective students and represents the most current course structure.
SECTION A: DETAILS OF THE COURSE AND AWARD
| Programme: | Ethics, Politics and Public Policy |
|---|---|
| Awarding body: | University of Essex |
| Teaching institution: | University of Essex |
| Department: | Philosophy |
| Final award: | MA |
| NQF Level of Qualification: | Master |
| Full / Part Time | Full-time or part-time |
| QAA Benchmark Group: | None |
| 2nd QAA Benchmark Group - Joint Schemes: | None |
| JACS code: | V5L2 |
| Publication date: | 11/11/2013 |
| Admission criteria:
if the applicant does not meet the specified criteria, he or she may discuss the application with the Head of Undergraduate or Head of Postgraduate admissions. |
BA of Upper Second Class standard or above in Philosophy or other related area, or an equivalent qualification. Language requirements : IELTS 7.0 TOEFL 600 and TOEFL (computer) 250 or comparable. |
SECTION B: PROGRAMME AIMS, OUTCOMES, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT METHODS
This section provides a concise overview of the programme of study, identifying the aims, learning outcomes and the corresponding methods of learning, teaching and assessment.
Programme: MA Ethics, Politics and Public Policy
Programme aims:
The programme: - imparts an understanding of the main normative ethical theories being developed in Anglo-American philosophy as they apply to public policy; - applies to policy issues theories of procedural justice and deliberative democracy from political theory; - helps to prepare graduates to enter employment in the policy departments of non-governmental organizations, including trades unions, as well as in government itself, journalism or for further postgraduate study; - provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge of current problems, and to develop skills, in the outcomes listed below. The outcomes listed below represent the minimum that might be expected of a graduate student. It is the intention of the School that the vast majority of graduates will achieve significantly more. Details of the different standards expected for the various classes of degree can be found in the Student Handbook produced annually by the School.
Programme Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and Understanding
|
A1 : Current public policy debates on substantive topics, such as autonomy and medical treatment, or marketisation of body parts, or higher education reform. A2 : Current public policy debates covering a range of issues concerning public participation, justice in the distribution of resources and paternalism in public policy. A3 : Controversies within Anglo-American philosophy concerning the application of normative ethical theories. A4 : Controversies within contemporary social science about the proper theoretical approaches to public policy issues. |
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
|
B1 : Deal constructively and in an orderly way with complex policy issues, even when information is incomplete. B2 : Communicate their conclusions clearly. B3 : Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and in collecting and commenting on complex information, including evidence given to commissions of inquiry and parliament. B4 : Learning how public policy practice might be extended by integrating ethical analysis into relevant deliberations. |
C: Practical Skills
|
C1 : Retrieve, evaluate and select for relevance and credibility, information from a wide range of sources. C2 : Plan, undertake and report a bibliographically-based piece of research. C3 : Develop techniques for assessing practical proposals. |
D: Key Skills
|
Communication: D1 : Write succinctly and to the point about complex policy matters. IT Skills: D2 : Ability to use relevant technology to research and present written work (including library catalogues, searchable databases and internet sources). Problem Solving: D4 : Apply the techniques of several different bodies of theory to the same policy problems Self Learning: D6 : Students should have become able to: -organise their work within deadlines; -select and organise their reading in relation to specific topics; -reflect on their own learning and performance and make constructive use of feedback; -learn independently. |
Learning, Teaching & Assessment Methods or Strategies for the following:
A: Knowledge and Understanding
|
Learning Methods Outcomes A1-4 are achieved through attendance and participation in the MA Seminar in Ethics, Politics and Public Policy, as well as in the MA Seminar in Political Theory and some of the optional modules. In the MA Seminar in Ethics, Politics and Public Policy students are directed to study public policy documents, and extensive case-study material. Each session of the Seminar involves discussion, including discussion of student presentations. The aims above are also achieved by occasional presentations from those active in the public policy process. Assessment Methods Knowledge of A1-4 is formally assessed in the two compulsory MA Seminars and in some of the optional modules. A number of methods of assessment are used: essays, including extended essays, formal term-end or year-end 3-hour examinations, class presentations, or all 3, and a dissertation. |
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
|
Learning Methods Skills B1-3 are acquired in all modules by means of teaching, discussion and assigned oral presentations on topics agreed with students. Skill B4 is developed in essays for modules and in work on the dissertation which engage live public policy issues. Assessment Methods Skills B1-4 are formally assessed through the marking of essays and the dissertation. Students are required to give a public policy briefing as a presentation, which is subsequently written up. |
C: Practical Skills
|
Learning Methods Graduates learn how to read and appraise sophisticated public policy reports. They are also directed to relevant government and NGO material, some in the library, some available over the internet. Some sessions of the MA Seminar allow students to present their ideas for dissertations to one another, and to get advice, criticism from colleagues and staff. Assessment Methods Skills C1-3 are developed through formal supervision and marking of the dissertation, as well as comments and marking of coursework essays. |
D: Key Skills
|
Learning Methods D1: All modules require students to participate actively in discussion, and co-operate with colleagues in arriving at shared results on exercises. All modules in the scheme require students to work independently on essays, and there is a dissertation component rigorously monitored for plagiarism. Supervisors warn students against being too derivative. There is an emphasis in the MA Seminar and in most of the modules on case studies that illustrate the practical and political realities of policy formulation and implementation. D2: Students are directed to important sources of policy deliberation. D4: The MA Seminar requires an interdisciplinary approach. D6: Work on essays and the dissertation is valuable preparation for doctoral work. Assessment Methods Skills D1, 2, 4 and 6 are assessed through coursework and the dissertation. |
SECTION C: COURSE STRUCTURE
Please refer to your option list as issued by the department where necessary,
and view module details in the module directory.
Additional notes on module choices:
Students are advised to discuss their module choices with Dr Fabian Freyenhagen.
MA students are entitled to apply for a place on a 2-week Erasmus Intensive Programme which usually takes place in July at one of the partner universities. A call for applications is normally circulated in the spring term. The topic in 2012-13 will be Democracy and Cosmopolitanism.
Components
| Component No. | Module Code | Module Title | Status in Award | Status in PG Diploma | Status in PG Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | PY983-7-FY | Dissertation: MA in Ethics, Politics and Public Policy | Core | Core | |
| 02 | PY904-7-AP | Ethics, Politics and Public Policy: MA Seminar | Compulsory | Compulsory | Compulsory |
| 03 | GV908-7-FY | Political Theory | Compulsory | Compulsory | Compulsory |
| 04 | LW/GV/PY/SC OPTION (1X30/40 OR 2X15/20 CREDITS) | Optional | Optional | Optional |
SECTION D: RULES OF ASSESSMENT
Rules of assessment are here: http://www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/students/pgt/pgtrulesmenu.htm
Assessment information for individual modules can be found on the Module Directory at http://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/
See also: details of individual modules in the module directory and links to course materials and resources in the Online Resource Bank.
NOTE
The University of Essex Programme Specifications Catalogue is updated annually in April/May. The specifications represent the most current course structures and may be subject to review and change. Should you have any queries about the Catalogue's pages, please contact the Course Records Team, Systems Administration Office, Academic Section; email: crt (non Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk)