Politics, International Relations and a Modern Language (BA)

We employ a range of teaching methods including lectures, seminars, language classes, and workshops.

Lecture content provides an overview of the key concepts and frameworks for a topic, equipping you with the skills to carry out independent research for the seminars and to develop and try out your own ideas. These materials may be delivered to you in face-to-face format or provided in a digital format so that you can study them at your own pace and convenience.

Seminars are interactive classes that consist of a small group of students and a member of the module teaching team. They may take various formats, including plenary group discussion, small group work and student-led presentations. Seminars provide a dynamic environment in which you can explore and critically engage with the ideas and debates outlined in lectures.

Our language teaching focuses on active learning and meaningful student participation. Ample opportunities are provided to regularly practise and develop the key language competencies and skills. Classes are designed to expand your linguistic proficiency and enhance your confidence and communication skills in a friendly and supportive environment.

Class preparation and independent study form a key part of your learning. Between classes, you’ll prepare material, evidence and arguments, and complete language tasks individually or in groups.

Research is central to the student experience at Cardiff University and all our teaching is informed by the latest findings.

Our teaching methods foster intellectual skills, such as critical thinking, close analysis, evaluating evidence, constructing arguments, using theory and the effective deployment of language in writing and in debate. We also help you gain experience in team working, independent research and time management in a supportive environment.

How will I be supported?

You’ll be guided through your studies by a Personal Tutor, who is able to advise you on academic issues. If you encounter any problems which affect your studies, your Personal Tutor should always be your first point of contact. You’ll meet with your Personal Tutor twice during each academic year, but you are encouraged to get in touch with them at any other time if you need help or advice. All academic staff have designated hours where they are available to meet with students. 

During your year of study or work abroad, you’ll be assigned a Year Abroad Coordinator, who will keep in touch with you and monitor your progress.

Each module has its own dedicated space on the Cardiff University Virtual Learning Environment where you’ll be guided through the weekly activities and tasks you need to complete. You’ll have access to shared learning materials and resources such as lecture recordings, language tasks and resources, information about assessments and links to digital resources including the library materials available in electronic format.

Professional Services staff in our Undergraduate Student Hub are available to answer your questions and provide you with the necessary advice and guidance in a supportive, caring and confidential environment.

Student Life, located in the Centre for Student Life, offers a range of services. These support services encompass: Advice and Money, Student Futures, Counselling, Health and Wellbeing, the Student Disability Service, Academic Study Skills and Student Mentoring. You’ll also have access to excellent libraries and resource centres.

How will I be assessed?

Our assessments are designed to support you in developing your ideas, skills and competencies. They encourage you to be innovative and creative, to think critically about the texts and cultures you encounter and to present evidence-based arguments both in English and through the medium of the language you study.

We use traditional assessment formats (such as essays, exams, quizzes, oral exams, presentations and dissertation) as well as more innovative forms of assessment, (the creation of vlogs, podcasts, video and audio projects, interviews, portfolios and poster presentations). Assessments also include source criticisms, research projects, reviews, creative-critical portfolios and blog posts. Some of our assessments allow you to work collaboratively on a project, while others include writing and creating for different audiences; for example, you might be asked to design a museum exhibition or create a guide for using sources. Long essays allow you to address fundamental historical questions or explore an historical issue or debate in more depth.

You’ll study the building blocks of the language, including grammatical and lexical patterns and structures. These skills will be regularly assessed over the course of your language modules, which reflects the progressive and accumulative nature of language learning.

In all cases, our assessments are designed to support you in developing your ideas, skills and competencies. They help equip you with skills to link your knowledge to local, national and global issues, and encourage you to be innovative and creative; to find new ways to address problems or ask questions; to collaborate in solving problems and presenting findings; and to present evidence-based arguments.

 Individual and group feedback on assessments and other learning provides you with the opportunity to reflect on your current or recent level of attainment.

Individual feedback is provided on all assessed work to help you improve performance for future assessments, and you’ll have opportunities to discuss this feedback with your tutors. In addition, you’ll do various practice exercises such as quizzes, presentations and essay or project plans. You’ll receive formative feedback from tutors, in order to improve your learning and understanding before you complete your summative assessments.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.

On successful completion of your Programme, you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Speak, write, and understand a modern foreign language to degree standard. 
• Understand the structures, registers and varieties of the language you are learning and use them flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes, as appropriate.
• Critically analyse aspects of the cultures, histories and societies of the countries in which your language is spoken by drawing on a range of materials and approaches.
• Demonstrate an in-depth, critical knowledge, awareness and understanding of the similarities and dissimilarities of cultures and societies other than your own.
• Apply an in-depth intercultural understanding including specific knowledge of other cultures, to navigate and mediate between more than one culture.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of core concepts and theories in both politics and international relations. Examples of these concepts and theories include sovereignty, power, governance, justice, human rights, and diplomacy.
• Analyse the evolution and functions of various political institutions across a range of settings.
• Examine how globalisation and transnational issues (e.g., climate change, migration, terrorism) influence both domestic and international political agendas.
• Demonstrate an understanding of political and policy-making processes and their impacts both within individual states and/or the international relations between states and non-state actors.

Intellectual Skills:

• Communicate clearly, concisely and effectively to diverse audiences, in writing and speech, in English and in a modern foreign language.
• Adopt a range of strategies to initiate and undertake analysis of information.
• Formulate conclusions about the strengths and weaknesses of views and arguments, justifying these with sound reasoning and detailed interpretations of source material.
• Critically evaluate ideas and arguments, through the coherent presentation of information and ideas using a plethora of written and oral skills.
• Draw on relevant and effective research techniques to plan and write or deliver academic texts (essays, presentations, audio-visual texts) using evidence and the correct referencing conventions.
• Apply appropriate methods of analysis to examine the political systems, ideologies, and institutions across different regions of the world
• Interpret complex global political events and trends by synthesising diverse political, economic, and cultural perspectives
• Assess the impact and legacy of historical events and processes on contemporary politics and international relations
• Select political and international relations-related information and data in a critical and discerning manner, and use, manage, synthesise that information and data effectively and ethically

Professional Practical Skills:

• Use digital media effectively as a source of information, a means of communication and as an aid to learning.
• Apply enhanced linguistic skills in a professional setting.
• Identify and describe problems and work collaboratively towards their resolution.
• Demonstrate resilience, adaptability and independence through time spent in immersive modern language contexts.
• Effectively communicate complex international and political concepts and analyses to both specialist and non-specialist audiences through presentations, reports, and/or policy briefs
• Collaborate with peers to simulate domestic issues, international negotiations, diplomatic strategies, or crisis management, drawing on practical knowledge of politics and/or international relations
• Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical considerations and challenges faced in political and international relations research and practice, such as human rights and global justice

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Develop intercultural awareness and communication skills by engaging with diverse political viewpoints and perspectives from around the world
• Utilise appropriate digital and IT skills, including data visualisation and online collaborative tools
• Demonstrate adaptability and resilience by responding to changing national and international political environments, and the evolving nature of domestic and global challenges.