QUALITY POLICY

OF THE UNDERGRADUATE STUDY PROGRAM 

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE & HISTORY – PANTEION UNIVERSITY

Introduction

The Quality Policy of the Department of Political Science and History (Panteion University) is a statement of principles, aims and objectives, procedures and results which the Department is committed to pursue in order to ensure and improve the quality of its educational and research mission.

The quality policy of the Department is harmonized with the quality policy of Panteion University and is an integral part of it.

The mission of the Department of Political Science and History is the study and research of Political Science and Modern History, with particular emphasis on political sociology and comparative political analysis, social and political theory, political philosophy, theories of democracy and the state, political and party systems, the constitution and the functions of political institutions, national and European, public policy and political economy, as well as on the modern and contemporary world, European and Greek history.

The aim of the Department of Political Science and History is to provide students with specialized knowledge and scientific methodology required for the research and critical study of the political phenomenon and modern and contemporary history. Political science and modern and contemporary history, social and political theory and philosophy, political economy and public law are integrated as distinct yet interrelated disciplines within the broader framework of social sciences. Alongside specialised knowledge, interdisciplinary syntheses in specific thematic and geographical areas are sought towards a fuller understanding of contemporary problems.

In particular, the Department focuses on: Greek/European/Balkan/Ottoman studies, politics and electoral behaviour, conflict politics and movements, economics and politics, law and politics, minority groups, political and social history, public history, economic history, contemporary ideologies and philosophical trends. It also studies the process of globalization, the migratory and refugee movements and other issues of European and World affairs.

In order to fulfil its mission and its educational and research objectives, the Department is committed to fundamental principles that have to do with:

These fundamental principles guide the Department's strategy for the development of a culture that recognises and promotes quality assurance in the fulfilment of its mission in general, and in particular, the educational and research objectives of the Undergraduate Programme of Studies, as well as the Postgraduate and Doctoral programmes.

The aim of the Department's quality policy is the continuous improvement of the quality of its educational and research mission on the basis of the fundamental principles described above.

The quality assurance procedures of the Department are coordinated and carried out under the responsibility of the Department's Internal Evaluation Group (IEG - ΟΜΕΑ). In carrying out its work, the Internal Evaluation Group (IEG - ΟΜΕΑ) cooperates with the Chair and the faculty members of the Department, the Department's Secretariat, the Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP) and members of the Research Committee.

The Department's quality policy focuses on the following axes and sets out specific priorities, procedures and evaluation criteria.

Adequacy of the Organizational Structure - Quality Assurance of the Undergraduate Study Program

The appropriateness of the organizational structure of the Undergraduate Programme of Studies is ensured through the application of clearly defined criteria and procedures for the evaluation and revision of the program.

The Departmental Assembly is responsible for its approval. The approved program forms the basis of the Annual Study Guide which is published on the Department's website and contains clear information on the points where it has been updated in relation to the previous year program.

The Undergraduate Programme of Studies may be modified on an annual basis according to the needs identified or as new circumstance arise (e.g. on the basis of the number of teachers, which may change from year to year or even semester to semester depending on the available funding - e.g. Partnership Agreement for the Development Framework (PA - ESPA), appointments in accordance with the PresidentialDecree 407/80). The regular review of the program is carried out every 3 years (usually in June/July, before the beginning of the new academic year).

The Curriculum Planning Committee (CPC) is responsible for drafting policy proposals and monitoring their implementation around the revision and general improvement of the quality of the program. The Curriculum Planning Committee (CPC) is appointed by vote of the Departmental Assembly for a term of three years. The quality of the program is separately assessed within the framework of the annual internal report of the Internal Evaluation Group (IEG - ΟΜΕΑ).

In order to fulfil its purpose, the Curriculum Planning Committee (CPC) essentially takes into account the observations and proposals of the regular internal and external evaluation reports of the department concerning the Undergraduate Study Program as well as the observations and proposals of the student bodies, in cooperation with the Department's Internal Evaluation Group (IEG - ΟΜΕΑ) and the Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP).

The Curriculum Planning Committee (CPC) cooperates and coordinates the work of the three Sections of the Department in order to make suggestions and proposals to the Departmental Assembly, in the annual review of the Undergraduate Study Program and the periodic review every three years. The Sectors of the Department, as the most competent body, are responsible for:

At the same time, in drafting its proposals, the Curriculum Planning Committee (CPC) takes into account the students' evaluations in each course of the program and the opinions submitted by the students' collective bodies. It also seeks feedback from relevant external bodies, such as scientific associations, internship bodies, etc., on the needs for learning outcomes that they consider relevant to the labour market and to the development of science and technology.

The Curriculum Planning Committee’s (CPC) recommendation for the revision of the Undergraduate Study Program every three years includes:

• an assessment of the results obtained in the three years since the last revision of the Undergraduate Study Program (achievement of objectives, weaknesses, etc.),


• a justification for the revision of the
Undergraduate Study Program, including strategic planning based on a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and, as far as possible, measurable benchmarks, an implementation plan and mechanisms for monitoring their implementation.

Promoting the Quality and Effectiveness of Teaching in accordance with the Idea of the University and in relation with Labour Market needs

The Department ensures that:

• the educational process is responsive to the interests, needs and particular abilities of students and aims at the continuous development of their scientific competence and personality,


• the educational process promotes student-centred pedagogical methods and practices and aims at their effective participation in it,

• the educational process promotes the introduction of students to current scientific developments and the international debate on the subject matter of each course and provides them with knowledge and skills strongly related to the intellectual achievements of the humanities and social-political sciences, and broadly relevant to the labour market,


• students are assessed on the basis of reliable and valid criteria, regulations and procedures that are consistently applied,

• dynamically promotes formative assessment, i.e. systematic assessment during courses in order to meet students' learning needs and interests and not simply at the end to assess their knowledge as is usually the case (summative assessment),


• the methods, means and assessment criteria for each course are made clearly known to students at the beginning of the semester and are made available for discussion and confirmation.

In order to implement the above commitments, the Department:


• uses information and communication technologies in the educational process (e.g. e-class, Pandemos, presentations, posted learning material on the Internet, etc.),


• promotes students' self-direction, with methods that foster critical understanding rather than rote learning,


makes the Study Guide and detailed information for each course (such as, the intended learning outcomes and the proposed syllabus) available to students in a timely manner,

• promotes in courses multiple and alternative possibilities and means of assessing student performance beyond the formal written and oral examinations, such as group and individual work, progress reports, exercises, etc.

Quality Assurance of Teaching Staff

The Department, on the basis of the applicable legislation, undertakes that the faculty members and other teaching staff of the Department:

• are selected and developed in a meritocratic and impartial manner on the basis of the highest internationally accepted criteria of scientific excellence,


• constantly seek to improve their scientific competence in line with current international developments in their field and the needs of the labour market,


• actively contribute to the enhancement of the prestige of the Department and the quality of the studies it offers.

In order to implement the above commitments, the Department:


• implement
s procedures for the selection and promotion of teaching and research staff that not only comply with the letter but also the spirit of the law,


• encourage
s and contributes to the active participation of teaching and research staff in research projects of national and international interest and expand their cooperation with universities and research institutions of high standing,


• encourages teaching/research staff to produce regular publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals of high standing and quality, and to promote scientific dialogue in their field through the publication of monographs, participation in edited volumes, conferences, seminars, etc,


• contribute
s to the utilization and expansion of mobility opportunities for faculty members in universities and research institutions abroad.

Ensuring the link between Research and Teaching

The Department undertakes that:

• scientific research is an integral part of and feeds back into teaching,

• students are introduced to and immersed in the methods and techniques of modern scientific research,

• students acquire applied skills in research design.

In order to implement the above commitments, the Department:

• offers courses and seminars with a methodological orientation to enable students to acquire high-level knowledge and research skills,


• offers additional opportunities for immersion in research through specialised courses organised by the three Laboratories of the Department,


• offers opportunities to participate in national and international research through research projects and actions.

Ensuring the Quality of Learning resources, sources and supporting activities

The Department undertakes that, within its capabilities:


• ensures resources, tools and services that support and enhance
its mission, objectives and the day-to-day work of its members.

In order to implement the above commitment, the Department:


• undertakes initiatives and develops collaborations with other Departments, the Panteion University as a whole, and third parties to expand the supportive opportunities offered to students in relation to scholarships, counselling services,
interaction with social action groups, etc.

Internal Evaluation Team

The Internal Evaluation Team (OM.E.A.) is set up following the decision of the General Assembly of the Department. It is composed of faculty members with experience in quality assurance procedures.

Responsibilities of OM.E.A.:

    
Internal Evaluation Team

 

 

 

 EXTERNAL EVALUATION (FEBRUARY 2014)   pdf blue small
 ACCREDITATION REPORT UNDERGRADUATE STUDY PROGRAMME (DECEMBER 2021)  HAHE Certified Study Programme