You Shaped the SPP

• You would like more choices of elective modules, with a greater diversity of topics.

• We designed eleven new undergraduate elective modules that will be introduced in 2022-23.
• They cover a wide range of topics in all the political science disciplines.
• We will be offering a new module on LGBTQ+ Rights, Latin American Politics, Critical Theory and International Relations, Decolonisation and Global Justice

• You would like to have a student common room and kitchen facilities in the SPP.

• In 2019 we set up the student common room at 30 Tavistock Square.
• In 2022 we added a kitchenette to allow students use microwave facilitates, sink, and fridge space.

• You would like to have more facilities in the student kitchen area in the Political Science buildings. 

• We have included more cups and plates and revised the rest of the items in the kitchen facilities. 

• Assessment deadlines are too close together and workload sometimes feels unmanageable.

• In 2021-22 we created a new essay deadlines model, which helps us to distribute your essay deadlines with maximal spacing and efficiency.
• We reduced the assessment load in several UG modules (from 2022-23).
• In 2023-24, we looked into over 200 different assessments across the POLSCI modules and had an effort to optimally space the deadlines so that as few students as possible face multiple deadlines on the same day. For UG PPE students, we have also taken the Economics and Philosophy deadlines into account.  

• You would like to know who to speak to after receiving your assessment feedback especially when there are multiple markers 

• We have updated our instructions to the markers to ask that they leave their initials with their feedback so students know who to contact when seeking to discuss their assessment. 

• There is not enough wellbeing support, or access to support and services can be limited.

• In 2021-22 we expanded our Undergraduate Tutor Team so that they are better able to attend to students.
• We also appointed a new Student Support and Wellbeing Officer (Jolanta Skorecka).
• We now provide workshops on to all UG students on Assessment and Examination, Wellbeing, Motivation and Time Management.
• We provided our staff with a detailed Personal Tutor handbook and personal tutor training so that they are better able to support you.

• You would like more career-focused extra-curricular activities

• In 2020 we appointed a Careers Officer in the Department who coordinates a variety of activities throughout the year.
• In 2021 We launched the Political Science Careers week, with UG targeted talks, workshops and training. 
• In 2021 We added ten more undergraduate research internships at CUSP.

• It’s difficult to remember all the information shared during induction week. 

• We set up an induction Moodle page with Inductions recordings and documents.
• Our Professional Services Team started hosted information sessions on essay submission and extenuating circumstances requests, with time for Q&A.
• We set up Student Information Hubs on Moodle to provide a one stop shop for students.

• You would like the department to have a network session to connect previous and current study abroad students. 

• We set up a “Welcome Back” session for returning Study Abroad students and also invited them to share their study abroad experience during our “Study Abroad Briefing” session to prospective applicants.  

• You wanted to be able to take languages as electives
• You wanted to able select Q step modules as electives.

• We approved both requests.

• You asked for a Study Abroad option.

• We have designed a Study Abroad Year, and appointed a Study Abroad Officer to assist students who would like to take up on this option.

• You would like to also have a student representative in the Economics and Philosophy SSCC meetings. 

• We have recruited additional student representatives in our PPE programme for them to join the Economics and Philosophy SSCC meetings to improve communication between departments.

• You would like to have smaller class sizes

• In 2019 we reduced the class sizes in core modules to fifteen students.

• You would like to have a student common room and kitchen facilities in the SPP.

• In 2019 we set up the student common room at 30 Tavistock Square.
• In 2022 we added a kitchenette to allow students use microwave facilitates, sink, and fridge space.

• You would like to have more facilities in the student kitchen area in the Political Science buildings. 

• We have included more cups and plates and revised the rest of the items in the kitchen facilities. 

• Assessment deadlines are too close together and workload sometimes feels unmanageable.

• In 2021-22 we created a new essay deadlines model, which helps us to distribute your essay deadlines with maximal spacing and efficiency.
• We reduced the assessment load in several PG modules (from 2022-23).

• There is not enough wellbeing support, or access to support and services can be limited.

• In 2021-22 we expanded our Postgraduate Tutor Team so that they are better able to attend to students.
• We also appointed a new Student Support and Wellbeing Officer who can provide help to all our PG students (Jolanta Skorecka)
• We provided our staff with a detailed Personal Tutor handbook and personal tutor training so that they are better able to support you.

• You would like more support on writing academic essays in political science.

• From 2021 we launched a series of academic writing sessions in terms 1 and 2 that are open to all PG students and help them to read effectively and write essays.

• You would like to have more information about Academic Misconduct. 

• We have included Academic Misconduct and referencing in the student handbook, student information Moodle page, Professional Services Induction session and a recorded information session and quiz page is promoted online followed by Q&A sessions.  

• You want more extra-curricular activities and a better learning and social community in the SPP.

• From 2021 we are collaborating with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, to offer students fun workshops on to help students learn how to speak to an audience, work on their body language, online interviews and more
• From 2022 we more than doubled the funding available to each programme for student-led activities, including end of year social events.

• You would like more career-focused extra-curricular activities.

• In 2020 we appointed a Careers Officer in the Department who coordinates a variety of activities throughout the year.
• We created an active PG careers newsletter.
• In 2021 We launched the Political Science Careers week, with PG targeted talks, workshops and trainings.

• You would like more supervision support for your dissertations.

• We designed a wide framework of dissertation support beyond the supervisions, including dissertation workshops, summer surgeries and writing sessions. 

• Students with an Economics background felt that the PPEA module covers materials they are already familiar with

• We changed the programme structure so that PPEA is no longer compulsory for students with an Economics background, and allow them to them other modules instead.

• Students with an Economics background felt that the PPEA module covers materials they are already familiar with

• We changed the programme structure so that PPEA is no longer compulsory for students with an Economics background, and allow them to them other modules instead.

• Students with an Economics background felt that the PPEA module covers materials they are already familiar with

• We changed the programme structure so that PPEA is no longer compulsory for students with an Economics background, and allow them to them other modules instead.

• Students with an Economics background felt that the PPEA module covers materials they are already familiar with

• We changed the programme structure so that PPEA is no longer compulsory for students with an Economics background, and allow them to them other modules instead.

• Students with an Economics background felt that the PPEA module covers materials they are already familiar with

• We changed the programme structure so that PPEA is no longer compulsory for students with an Economics background, and allow them to them other modules instead.

• Students with an Economics background felt that the PPEA module covers materials they are already familiar with

• We changed the programme structure so that PPEA is no longer compulsory for students with an Economics background, and allow them to them other modules instead.

• Students on the programme wanted to be able to take more methods modules as they are helpful for their career prospects.
• Students requested more practice-focused content to the course.

• We changed the programme structure so that students can take both Introduction and Advanced Quantitative Methods modules.
• We added the new core module "Doing Human Rights Work", starting in Fall 2022. 

• You want more extra curricular events

• In 2021 Professor Swift added a session on how to apply for a PhD in political theory. He also organised an outdoor  walk so that students on the programme get to know each other.

• You don’t like taking part in large lectures.

• In 2020 we restructured the PP programme so that there are more compulsory modules, an a better spread of students across them.

TBC