BA (Hons) International Relations and Social Policy

Level One

The level 1 modules are primarily used to ensure that students have an appropriate introduction to the interdisciplinary nature of social policy and international relations. They also perform the function of developing general intellectual and personal attributes such as effective study methods, communication skills and use of information sources.

Global Conflicts and Contexts

This module will introduce students to core issues of relevance to international relations study. The module initially focuses on the development of mechanisms to control and avoid the emergence of international conflict in its various guises. It then moves on to examine a number of key contemporary issues such as global inequality, international political economy, globalization and emerging transnational civil societies. The module is intended to expose students to the breadth of issues and approaches relevant to the study of international relations and international politics more broadly.

Social Issues and Social Justice

This module uses an examination of contemporary social issues to introduce students to some of the key arguments and debates, which affect the way people are treated in society. Students will be introduced to how and why a social issue may become defined as a social problem, the form it takes within the social and political debate and be encouraged to make a critical analysis of the action which is, and is not, taken. An introduction of the key social policy concepts will be incorporated into this analysis of real issues. The module also considers the concept of social justice, the extent to which social divisions and inequalities in society persist and the role governments play in promoting the former and combating the latter.

Identity and Citizenship

This module explicitly adopts an interdisciplinary approach to core questions of relevance to today’s society. Taking the notion of identity as its leitmotif, the module introduces students to those ways in which academic knowledge has traditionally been divided along disciplinary lines. The module will guide students bring knowledge forms from within their own – and other – disciplines to bear on key contemporary social and political issues. As such, the module will expose students to the potentials and pitfalls of adopting an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving and policy development in areas concerning (for example) citizenship, social belonging and isolation, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, religion or nationalism. Throughout, students will be encouraged to think critically about the nature of their own identities and the impact of their future professional practice on the nature and practice of identities.

Applying Research

This module aims to enable students to both recognise and understand the different methodologies employed in social research and to apply these to their own research project and critique of methods. Overall, the aim of this unit is to introduce students to the range of methodological skills and approaches, to involve students in their application, and to encourage critical reflection on a variety of levels.

Level Two

At level 2 the modules build upon the material and methods used in Level 1, providing students with the opportunity for an increased emphasis on analysis and criticism.

Thinking International Relations

This module places theory at the centre of the study of world politics. It provides a critical overview of the disciplinary literature of international relations from both mainstream and critical perspectives. The module aims to provide students with the ability to both understand and critically employ the concepts, approaches and methods of International Relations theory, and to develop an understanding of their contested nature and the problematic character of inquiry in the discipline. Case studies and contemporary materials will be used extensively throughout the module to illustrate the varying theoretical models and their applicability in the contemporary world.

Comparative Regionalism

Regional intergovernmental organisations, which have been increasing in number, have been a common feature of international politics since the end of the Second World War. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), the European Union, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), are just examples of such organisations. However, these organisations do not exist in a theoretical vacuum and are there to achieve certain goals both at the regional and the state level. The achievements of these goals, at regional and state levels, are very interesting areas of analysis in order to assess the extent to which these organisations have been successful or not.

Challenges and change in social policy I and II

Social policy has developed from the study of the traditional areas of welfare – such as health, education and social security – to broader concerns including the environment, transport and food policy. The terms of the debate have also shifted to reflect changes in demographic and social structures, the changing labour market, concern with the costs of welfare and the impact of the globalization. This module considers the main influences on social policy development in the UK and examines these within the context of alternative models in other countries. It considers the ideological and theoretical debates within which they have been framed and the ways these have impacted on the contemporary debate and policy.

Ideology into Practice

This module is concerned with the impact of ideology on the development of social policy. While the focus is on the United Kingdom, comparison with other European states is made where appropriate. The module considers different perspectives on what constitutes ‘social problems’ and exploration of the meaning and purposes of ‘social policy’ and ‘welfare’ and their relationship with ideology. It then considers the impact of ideologies on social policy in the post-world war period, and especially from the mid-1970s when the consensus on social policy began to break down.

Diversity, Difference and Exclusion

This module examines the impact of difference and diversity in social policy, with a particular concern around social exclusion. It begins with an introduction to the concepts of ‘diversity’ and ‘exclusion’ and then moves on to consider the relationship between social policy and a variety of forms of diversity and difference, particularly in the context of new thinking around social exclusion that has emerged since the 1990s.

EITHER Research in Politics and International Relations

Building on the level 1 module, ‘Applying Research’, this module systematically scrutinises examples of research undertaken in the subject areas of Politics and International Relations. One of the main aims of the module is to enable students to understand, in concrete terms, what constitutes research in Politics and IR and how the research process leads to the production of specific research outputs including dissertations, theses, published academic articles and research monographs. In addition, the module aims to provide students with the knowledge base necessary for the production of research proposals.

OR Researching in Social Policy

This module systematically scrutinizes examples of research undertaken in the subject area of social policy. One of the main aims of the module is to enable students to understand, in concrete terms, what constitutes research and how the research process leads to the production of specific research outputs including dissertations, theses, published academic articles and research monographs. In addition, the module aims to provide students with the knowledge base necessary for the production of research proposals and outputs. Research in social policy typically involves an understanding of both gathering information in various ways and critically scrutinizing the validity of that information. This module provides students with the skills to undertake both tasks.

Level Three

Finally, at level 3, the modules allow students to further develop their critical understanding and analysis through taught units and through the preparation of an Independent Study of their own choosing. The modules are designed to progress in a general intellectual sense as well as shifting to a more critical approach so that compared with the Level 2 units the emphasis is more upon analysis and problem solving.

Studying International Relations and Social Policy at the University of Lincoln involves both directed and independent learning. Each module is delivered through a combination of weekly lectures and associated seminars and workshops. The seminars provide an opportunity for students to discuss issues raised in the lecture and engage in critical reflection on the issues being studied. Students will also have the opportunity to meet with module leaders in tutorial sessions. As well as directed study, students will undertake independent learning using traditional library resources as well as a wide range of electronic resources. The level 1 module, Applying Research, supports students to develop the requisite skills for effective independent learning.

The assessment strategy adopted within the International Relations and Social Policy Programme is designed to test and enhance students’ knowledge, skills and abilities as well as to prepare them for the demands of work. Assessments test students’ attainments of learning outcomes that demonstrate and encourage not only the knowledge base but also the development of transferable skills across the programme. Written communication skills are developed through essays and examinations, oral communication skills through presentations; literature searching and review through essays, examinations and presentations, computer literacy skills through word-processing and use of electronic resources. We utilise a broad spectrum of assessment strategies. In the final year student combine their study skills to undertake their own chosen area of study in the preparation of an Independent Study.

This programme will appeal to students who are interested in the dynamics of the world in which we live. It will appeal to students who have an interest in gaining an understanding of international relationship and social policy and some of the major problems that face the world and the extent to which we have the means and the will to tackle them.

Students will be able to apply their knowledge and understanding of international relations and social policy to an analysis of the development of contemporary debates in the UK and internationally.

Students will normally have studied subjects in the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences at A or equivalent level. An awareness and interest in contemporary political and social debates would be useful.

The programme provides students with a sound theoretical and practical knowledge of social policy and the policy making process. It also provides students with analytical, research, IT and interpersonal skills, and therefore provides a good basis for a range of employment. Students find occupations across the range of welfare services and agencies in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Students can also continue their studies at postgraduate level or undertake professional training. Social policy provides students with the range skills, which can be adapted and applied to many areas of employment, both inside and outside the policy and welfare field.

Students will gain the skills and confidence to operate effectively within an international business, political, welfare, public administration or policy environment. Graduate opportunities are available in:

• Foreign Office
• European Union institutions
• Journalism
• Local government
• Welfare services: public, private, voluntary at international, national and local levels
• Public administration

There is also a variety of other public and private sector opportunities, as well as generic graduate level job opportunities available to social science graduates. In addition, many graduates choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level at Lincoln or elsewhere.

For further information and funding your studey please see our Fees & Funding pages.

Fees and Funding