Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The programme aims to enable students to:

• develop a critical understanding of the ongoing impacts of globalization on sports and leisure;
• appreciate the changing theoretical context in which research on geographies of sports and leisure has proceeded;
• acquire critical reading and research skills appropriate to researching issues of sporting participation, exclusion and identity as they relate to questions of place, space and landscape;
• complete a self-directed and managed piece of research exploring the relationship of globalization and sport;
• enhance employment skills, with particular reference to employment in positions where awareness of the global dimensions of sports and leisure is essential.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

Subject Benchmark Statements for Geography and for the Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Group

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• define and elucidate the idea of globalization as a context for contemporary social science research;
• appreciate the range of methods available for exploring the social, economic and political geographies of globalization;
• understand, by applying sociological concepts, theories and evidence, the relationship between sport and globalization;
• understand, by applying sociological concepts, theories and evidence, the relationship between sport, culture and society;
• successfully complete an original piece of research on globalization and sports dovetailing both theoretical rigour and solid analysis.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• define and elucidate the idea of globalization as a context for contemporary social science research;
• Appreciate the range of methods available for exploring the social, economic and political geographies of globalization;
• Understand, by applying sociological concepts, theories and evidence, the relationship between sport and globalization;
• Understand, by applying sociological concepts, theories and evidence, the relationship between sport, culture and society;
• Successfully complete an original piece of research on globalization space and sports dovetailing both theoretical rigour and solid analysis.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• critically read, evaluate and summarise social science debates as they pertain to sports and globalization;
• successfully analyse social data via quantitative (statistical) and qualitative (discursive and textual) techniques;
• manage the research process, conducting and disseminating research in a way that is consistent with both professional practice and the normal principles of research ethics.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should have developed their:

• communication skills: writing, dissemination and media skills;
• oral presentation skills for seminars, workshops and conferences;
• research management and time management skills;
• bibliographic and computing skills.

4. Programme structure

4.1       COMPULSORY MODULES                             (Total Modular Weight of 120)

Semester 1

Semester 2

4.2       FURTHER COMPULSORY MODULE – for the award of MSc only

Semester 2

Candidates will be required to submit a dissertation on a topic relevant to programme content.  Either the Department of Geography or the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences (SSEHS) will provide supervision according to topic.

Part Time students will split the 180weight of modules across the two years equally.  Modules will be discussed and agreed with the programme director before the student commences the programme.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

Candidates are required to obtain the following in order to be eligible for the award of:

(i) PGCert – 60 credits from modules other than GYP400.

(ii) PGDip – 120 credits from modules other than GYP400.

(iii) MSc – 150 credits and not less than 40% in the remaining module.

With the exclusion of module GYP400 (Dissertation), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment, and who have achieved at least 60 credits at first attempts, to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP).

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification