Skip to main contentCambridge University Reporter

No 6275

Wednesday 25 July 2012

Vol cxlii No 40

pp. 827–861

Regulations for examinations

The General Board give notice that, on the recommendation of the Faculty Board or other authority concerned, the regulations for certain University examinations have been amended as follows:

Human, Social, and Political Sciences Tripos

(Report of the General Board, dated 1 June 2011; see Reporter, 2010–11, p. 958)

With effect from 1 October 2013

The regulations for the Tripos have been amended so as to (i) introduce a sixth joint track, Social Anthropology and Politics, that may be taken in Parts IIa and IIb; (ii) replace POL11 (The history of political thought to c.1700, Paper 3 of Part II of the Historical Tripos, which is to be discontinued) with a variable paper in politics and international relations, and to renumber papers POL9–19 accordingly, making appropriate modifications to Regulation 17; (iii) permit students having obtained honours in another honours examination to transfer into Part IIa of the Tripos in the year next after or next but one after so obtaining honours, provided that twelve complete terms have not passed after her or his first term of residence.

General

Regulation 1.

By amending the second sentence of the regulation so as to read:

In Part IIa and Part IIb there shall be an examination in each of the following five subjects: Archaeology (including Assyriology and Egyptology), Biological Anthropology, Politics and International Relations, Social Anthropology, Sociology, and there shall be a joint examination in each of the following six pairs of subjects: Archaeology and Social Anthropology, Biological Anthropology and Archaeology, Politics and Sociology, Social and Biological Anthropology, Sociology and Social Anthropology, Social Anthropology and Politics.

Regulation 6.

By amending the second sentence of the regulation so as to read:

The five bodies of Examiners for Part IIa and Part IIb shall also draw up class-lists for the following subjects: Archaeology and Social Anthropology (the Examiners for Archaeology), Biological Anthropology and Archaeology (the Examiners for Biological Anthropology), Politics and Sociology (the Examiners for Politics and International Relations), Social and Biological Anthropology (the Examiners for Social Anthropology), Sociology and Social Anthropology (the Examiners for Sociology), and Social Anthropology and Politics (the Examiners for Social Anthropology).

Part IIa and Part IIb

Regulation 12.

By amending the regulation so as to read:

12. A student who has obtained honours in Part I of the Human, Social, and Political Sciences Tripos or in another Honours Examination may be a candidate for honours in Part IIa in the year next after or next but one after so obtaining honours, provided that twelve complete terms have not passed after her or his first term of residence.1

Regulation 14.

By revising the titles of papers to be offered as follows:

POL9.

from Political philosophy and the history of political thought since c.1890 (Paper 5 of Part II of the Historical Tripos)

to Conceptual issues and texts in politics and international relations

POL10.

from Conceptual issues and texts in politics and international relations

to The history of political thought from c.1700 to c.1890 (Paper 4 of Part II of the Historical Tripos)

POL11.

from Political philosophy and the history of political thought to c.1700 (Paper 3 of Part II of the Historical Tripos)

to Political philosophy and the history of political thought since c.1890 (Paper 5 of Part II of the Historical Tripos)

POL12.

from The history of political thought from c.1700 to c.1890 (Paper 4 of Part II of the Historical Tripos)

to A subject in politics and international relations I

POL13.

from A subject in politics and international relations I

to A subject in politics and international relations II2

POL14.

from A subject in politics and international relations II3

to A subject in politics and international relations III

POL15.

from A subject in politics and international relations III

to A subject in politics and international relations IV

POL16.

from A subject in politics and international relations IV

to A subject in politics and international relations V

POL17.

from A subject in politics and international relations V

to A subject in politics and international relations VI

POL18.

from A subject in politics and international relations VI

to A subject in politics and international relations VII

POL19.

from A subject in politics and international relations VII

to A subject in politics and international relations VIII

Regulation 16.

By introducing a new sub-paragraph (k) so as to read:

(k)Candidates in Social Anthropology and Politics

(i) POL3 or POL4;

(ii) POL7 or POL8;

(iii) one paper chosen from SAN2–3 and one paper chosen from SAN2–3 and SAN7–11.

Regulation 17.

By amending sub-paragraph (c) so as to read:

(c)Candidates in Politics and International Relations

(i) POL9;

(ii) two papers chosen from POL10–19, one of which may be substituted by a dissertation on a subject approved by the Head of Department of Politics and International Studies, which shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 19;4

(iii) either one paper chosen from ARC9–34,5 BAN2–4, BAN6–8, SAN2–3, SAN7–11, SOC6–156or a further paper chosen from POL10–19.

By amending sub-paragraph (e), sub-section (ii) so as to read:

(e)Candidates in Sociology

(ii) two further papers chosen from SOC6–15, one of which may be submitted by a dissertation on a subject approved by the Head of Department of Sociology, which shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 19;

By amending sub-paragraph (h) so as to read:

(h)Candidates in Politics and Sociology

(i) two papers from POL10–19;7

(ii) two papers chosen from SOC6–15;

(iii) a candidate may substitute for one paper a dissertation on a subject approved by the Head of Department of Politics and International Studies, which shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 19.

By amending sub-paragraph (j), sub-section (iii) so as to read:

(j)Candidates in Sociology and Social Anthropology

(iii) a candidate may substitute for one paper a dissertation on a subject approved by the Head of Department of Sociology, which shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 19.

By introducing a new sub-paragraph (k) so as to read:

(k)Candidates in Social Anthropology and Politics

(i) two papers from Pol 10–19;8

(ii) one paper chosen from SAN5 and SAN6, and one paper chosen from SAN5–SAN11;

(iii) a candidate may substitute for one paper a dissertation on a subject approved by the Head of Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, which shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 19.

Footnotes

  • 1See also the regulations for Affiliated Students.


  • 2This paper will also be available, in certain years, to candidates for the Economics Tripos.


  • 3This paper will also be available, in certain years, to candidates for the Economics Tripos.


  • 4Paper POL10 cannot be taken if POL8 was taken in Part IIa.


  • 5Paper ARC10 can only be taken if a candidate has taken Paper ARC9 at Part IIa.


  • 6Paper SOC6 can only be taken if SOC2 was taken at Part II.


  • 7Paper POL10 cannot be taken if POL8 was taken in Part IIa.


  • 8Paper POL10 cannot be taken if POL8 was taken in Part IIa.


Linguistics Tripos, Parts IIa and IIb

(Statutes and Ordinances, p. 344)

With effect from 1 October 2012

The list of papers that may be taken has been amended.

Regulation 12.

By amending the list of papers that may be offered as follows:

SECTION C

Paper 12. History of ideas on language (also serves as Paper O1 of the Classical Tripos and Paper Li.12 of the Modern and Medieval Languages Tripos) has been suspended for one year.

SECTION D

Paper 26. The Slavonic languages (Paper CS.3 of the Modern and Medieval Languages Tripos). This paper is no longer suspended.

Paper 32. Experimental psychology (the subject Experimental Psychology in Part Ib of the Natural Sciences Tripos) has been removed from the list of available papers.

Paper 32. Comparative Semitic linguistics (Paper MES.41 of Part II of the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Tripos) has been added to the list of available papers.

Paper 33. The French language: variation and change (Paper Fr.13 of the Modern and Medieval Languages Tripos) has been added to the list of available papers but will be suspended in 2012–13.

The Faculty Board of Modern and Medieval Languages have confirmed that no candidate’s preparation for the examination in 2013 will be affected.

Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Tripos

(Reporter, 2010–11, p. 970)

With effect from 1 October 2013

The regulations have been amended to clarify that the further papers that may be offered in Part IIa are to be chosen from the Optional Papers announced each year. The list of Optional Papers included in the proposed regulations under Part I were included in error.

Part I

Regulation 11.

Section B.

By replacing the reference to the specific papers, POL 1 to ED 1, with the following text:

Optional Papers announced by the Faculty Board in accordance with Regulation 9.

Part IIa

Regulation 17.

By amending sub-paragraph (b) so as to read

(b)either (i)  PBS 4 and two further papers chosen from the list of Optional Papers published in accordance with Regulation 9,1

or   (ii) PBS 5, PBS 6, and one further paper chosen from the list of Optional Papers published in accordance with Regulation 9,1

Footnotes

  • 1provided that no pair of papers from the Optional Papers list with the same number, a and b are offered (e.g. HPS1a or HPS1b)


Bachelor of Theology for Ministry

(Statutes and Ordinances, p. 425)

With effect from 1 October 2012

The regulations have been amended so as to allow assessment of the Pastoral Portfolio to be split between the first and second examination years instead of the entirety of the assessment falling, as now, in the second examination year, where it forms the equivalent of a double paper.

Failure in the first part of the assessment for the Portfolio will not preclude a candidate from progressing to the Second Examination Year; the combined weighted mark for both parts will be used to determine whether or not a candidate has failed the Portfolio.

Regulation 18.

By replacing the first part of the regulation with two paragraphs (a) and (b) so as to read:

18. A candidate for the First Examination shall offer

(a)four full papers (or the equivalent number of full papers and half-papers) chosen from Groups B and C; a candidate who so wishes may offer as an additional paper a language paper chosen from Papers 1–4 which he or she has not previously offered;

(b)the assessment for Part A of the Pastoral Portfolio, as specified in Regulation 25;

Regulation 19 (b).

By placing the current regulation into square brackets and inserting a regulation in angular brackets so as to read:

< (b) the assessment for Part B of the Pastoral Studies Portfolio, as specified in Regulation 25;

provided that:

(i)a candidate who offered Paper 1 in the Qualifying Examination or the First Examination may not offer Paper 2;

(ii)a candidate who offered Paper 3 in the Qualifying Examination or the First Examination may not offer Paper 4;

(iii)a candidate shall not offer any paper or half-paper that he or she has previously offered in the First Examination;

(iv)a candidate may not offer the same set texts for Papers 16 or 17 as for Paper 15 (whether taken as part of the First or Second Examination) >

and inserting a footnote to the current regulation to state that the regulation in angular brackets will replace the regulation in square brackets with effect from 1 October 2013.

Regulation 25.

By placing the current regulation into square brackets and inserting a regulation in angular brackets so as to read:

25. The work to be presented by the candidate in the Pastoral Studies portfolio submitted under Regulation 18(b) and 19(b) shall be undertaken over the course of both the First and the Second Examinations. It shall be assessed in two parts, on such evidence as the Faculty Board may from time to time prescribe. Part A shall be assessed by the Examiners for the First Examination in the first examination year and Part B shall be assessed by the Examiners for the Second Examination in the second examination year. Each part of the portfolio shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Faculty Board so as to arrive no later than the third Tuesday of Full Easter Term in the relevant year. A candidate who fails to satisfy the Examiners in the Pastoral Studies portfolio at the end of the Second Examination year may apply to the Faculty Board to be reassessed in that element of the examination; such permission shall be granted on not more than one occasion. If any candidate is given permission to be reassessed under this regulation, the assessment shall be concluded on the basis of such additional work as the Examiners may require and shall be completed in the academical year next following the first assessment, except by special permission of the Faculty Board granted in exceptional circumstances. >

and inserting a footnote to the current regulation to state that the regulation pertains to those candidates beginning the course prior to October 2012, and that the regulation in angular brackets replaces the regulation in square brackets with immediate effect for candidates beginning the course with effect from October 2012 and thereafter.

The Faculty Board of Divinity and the Management Committee of the Bachelor of Theology for Ministry have confirmed that no candidate’s preparation will be affected.

Examination in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies for the M.Phil. Degree

(Statutes and Ordinances, p. 485)

With effect from 1 October 2013

The scheme of the examination has been amended so as to allow candidates to offer, subject to the approval of the Degree Committee, two longer essays of not more than 7,500 words, in place of three written papers, or the same number of 5,000-word essays as specified in Regulation 1(a). The Special Regulations have been amended as follows:

Regulation 1.

By amending sub-paragraph (a) so as to read:

(a)

either

(i) three written papers on subjects approved by the Degree Committee for the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, which shall fall within one of the fields specified in the Schedule to these regulations; provided that, with the approval of the Degree Committee, a candidate may offer, in place of one or more of those papers, the same number of essays, each of not more than 5,000 words, or equivalent alternative exercises approved by the Degree Committee;

or

(ii) subject to the approval of the Degree Committee, two essays, each of not more than 7,500 words;

Examinations in International Relations and Politics for the M.Phil. Degree

(Statutes and Ordinances, pp. 501 and 510)

With effect from 1 October 2013

The General Board have approved a recommendation from the Faculty Board of Human, Social, and Political Science that the examinations in the subjects International Relations and Politics be replaced by a single integrated examination in the subject International Relations and Politics for the M.Phil. Degree. The special regulations for the separate examinations in International Relations and Politics have accordingly been rescinded with effect from 1 October 2013. Special regulations for the examination in International Relations and Politics have been approved with effect from the same date as follows:

International Relations and Politics

1. The scheme of examinations for the one-year course of study for the degree of Master of Philosophy in International Relations and Politics shall consist of:

(a)three examined courses from a list prescribed by the Degree Committee for the Faculty of Human, Social, and Political Science;

(b)a thesis of not less than 20,000 words and not more than 25,000 words in length, including tables, footnotes, and appendices, but excluding bibliography, on a subject approved by the Degree Committee;

(c)the successful completion of a research methods and thesis writing course.

2. In accordance with the general regulations for the degree of Master of Philosophy and at the discretion of the Examiners, an oral examination may be held in relation to any of the elements enumerated under Regulation 1 above.

3. A candidate who successfully passes at least two examined courses in a field of study that may be designated by the Degree Committee, and who successfully presents a thesis deemed by the Degree Committee to fall within that designated field of study, may apply to have the designation of that field of study awarded for the degree of Master of Philosophy in International Relations and Politics.