Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To provide students with an intellectually-stimulating environment within which they can develop knowledge, understanding and skills in both History and Geography.
• To encourage a sense of enthusiasm for History and Geography; to foster critical, creative and independent thinking; and to develop a sensitive and disciplined approach.
• To stimulate productive reflection on the similarities and differences between modes of study in both subjects.
• To develop competence and practical skills which are transferable to a wide range of professions and employment as well as life experiences.

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

• QAA History Benchmark Statement
• QAA Geography Benchmark Statement

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the idea of academic disciplines as dynamic, plural and contested; developed within the broader framework of the social sciences and humanities;
• the potential applications of concepts within a broader critical framework;
• the main methodologies used in the analysis and interpretation of texts, other sources and data;

and within the History portion of the programme:

• past societies and historical processes over a chronological and geographical range;
• the use of primary evidence in historical argument;
• History as an academic discipline, its schools of interpretations, and the variety of methodological approaches and theoretical foundations;

and within the Geography portion of the programme:

• a range of environments, in the broadest sense, of environmental processes and the impacts of these processes on human activities and vice versa;
• the ways in which representations and interpretations of the world are socially-constructed, and the forms of geographical difference;
• the determinants of temporal and spatial variation in the physical, social, economic and political worlds; and the significance of spatial and temporal scale on physical processes, human processes and on their interactions;
• past patterns of environmental and social changes, and of the processes and conditions that have determined those changes, and the implications for the future.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

1. demonstrate a reflexive approach to learning;
2. abstract and synthesise information;
3. assess the merits of contrasting theories, explanations and arguments;
4. critically evaluate and interpret a range of evidence, including texts, other sources and data;
5. undertake problem-solving and decision-making;
6. develop a reasoned argument;
7. solve problems with imagination and creativity;

additionally, within the History portion of the programme:

1. appreciate the complexities and diversity of past events and mentalities;
2. show a critical awareness of the problems inherent in historical sources and in interpreting the past;

and within the Geography portion of the programme:

1.  recognise and critically debate the moral and ethical issues underpinning particular geographical debates or enquiries;
2.  appreciate the importance of geographical scale to understanding physical, natural and social environments.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

1. combine and interpret different types of evidence;
2. design and execute a piece of research and produce a report;

additionally, within the History portion of the programme:

3. present cogent and persuasive arguments in oral, written and practical form;
4. critically assess the effectiveness and value of a wide range of oral, written and performed communications;
5. locate and retrieve information using a variety of research methods;

additionally, within the Geography portion of the programme:

6. undertake safe and effective field and laboratory work;
7. employ a range of survey skills for the collection of qualitative and quantitative data and to use appropriate methods for the analysis of these data;
8. prepare effective maps and diagrams using a range of appropriate technologies.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should have:

1. Verbal and written communication skills.
2. Numeracy and computational skills.
3. Field and laboratory skills.
4. Spatial awareness and observational skills.
5. IT and information handling and retrieval.
6. Independent study and group work.
7. Time management
8. Creativity and intellectual maturity. 

4. Programme structure

4.1

(1)       Modules with a total modular weight of 60 must be studied in each academic year (Parts A, B and C) from both History and Geography.

(2)       Candidates must take at least 20 credits in History and 20 credits in Geography in each Semester.

(3)       Candidates must take a total modular weight of 120 in each Part with a minimum module weight of 50 in each semester, taking into account both compulsory and optional modules.

(4)        Due to timetabling constraints, not all option combinations may be available.

4.2       Content

Students must be registered for a minimum of 50 credits and a maximum of 70 credits in each semester.

(1) Part A – Introductory Modules

History Component

(i) Compulsory Modules (total modular weight 60 Credits)

(ii)  Optional Modules

 None

Geography Component

(i) Compulsory Modules (total modular weight 60 Credits)

(ii)  Optional Modules

 None

(2) Part B – Degree Modules

Students must be registered for a minimum of 50 credits and a maximum of 70 credits in each Semester

History Component

(i)  COMPULSORY MODULES

EUB800 and GYB327 are mutually exclusive.  If module EUB800 is chosen, this forms part of the 30-credit History modular weight in Semester 2.  If module GYB327 is chosen, this forms part of the 60-credit combined Part B Geography modular weight.  

(ii)  OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 60 Credits, 30 in each semester)

 Candidates should note that combinations of modules of the same titles but with different credit-weightings are mutually exclusive.

Geography Component

(i)  COMPULSORY MODULES

None

(ii)  OPTIONAL MODULES

 Candidates must choose a combined modular weight of 60 from Geography modules over Semesters 1 and 2 (which may include GYB327 - see History component above), of which a minimum of 40 must be from Group 1 (20 if GYB327 is selected).  Fieldcourse modules are mutually exclusive.

 Geography - Group 1 

 Geography – Group 2

 (3)          Part I

Candidates following the four-year programme are required to undertake a Part I placement, which occurs between Parts B and C and may be EITHER (i) an academic year abroad at a French-, German- or Spanish-speaking university, following an approved course of study leading to the Diploma in International Studies in accordance with Senate Regulation XI; OR (ii) an academic year abroad on an approved course of study at a foreign university where teaching is in English leading to the Diploma in International Studies in accordance with Senate Regulation XI; OR (iii) an approved Teaching Assistantship at a school or other approved placement in a French-, German- or Spanish-speaking country, leading to the Diploma in International Studies in accordance with Senate Regulation XI; OR (iv) an approved placement in the UK or abroad leading to the Diploma in Professional Studies in accordance with Senate Regulation XI.  Participation in a Part I study abroad or placement is subject to School approval and satisfactory academic performance during Parts A and B.

(4)          Part C – Degree Modules

Students must be registered for a minimum of 50 credits and a maximum of 70 credits in each Semester. Credits for the Dissertation module EUC800 must be split equally (20:20) across both semesters.  Credits for the Geography Dissertation module GYC400 may be split between Semesters in the ratio of either 20:10 or 10:20 depending on the balance of other modular weights selected.

(i)           COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 30 or 40 Credits)

(ii)          History Modules (total modular weight 20 or 60 Credits)

Candidates must choose a combined modular weight of 60 from History modules over Semesters 1 and 2 (20 if Dissertation module EUC800 is selected).

Geography Modules (total modular weight 30 or 60 Credits)

Candidates must choose a combined modular weight of 60 from Geography modules over Semesters 1 and 2 (30 if Dissertation module GYC400 is selected).  GYC400 and GYC401 (instances 1 & 2) are mutually exclusive, as are fieldcourse modules.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

 5.1 In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX but also achieve a module mark of at least 30% in all modules in each Part.

5.2 Provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates who have the right of reassessment in any Part of the programme to undergo re-assessment in the University's special assessment period.

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

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40%, Part C 60% to determine the final programme percentage mark.