LPINT7268 Extended Dissertation in Political Science

Course Overview

The Extended Dissertation enables students to deepen their understanding of a particular area of international politics, political science, or political theory. Students will choose their topic independently and be supported by a supervisor to produce a work of academic research of approximately 15,000 words in length. The dissertation prepares students for further specialised engagement with the politics of sustainability, sustainable development and emergent digital technologies, in employment, in further research and/or in further postgraduate study. Dissertations can take a variety of forms. Students can opt for an empirical, theoretical, comparative, or blended approach, in keeping with the programme’s diverse offerings. Approaches are agreed between supervisors and students in the early stages of the dissertation process. Supervisors will ensure that the topic and approach fall within the discipline of Politics and IR, even if they draw on other disciplines and methodologies. The dissertation must be written in a style appropriate to academic work in Politics and International Relations.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

Subject Specific Skills

Transferable and Professional Skills

Teaching and Learning

The scheduled teaching and learning activities for this course are:

• Minimum of five dissertation supervision meetings per student.

Course information and supplementary materials are made available on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Students are required to attend and participate in all the formal and timetabled sessions for this course. Students are also expected to manage the directed learning and independent study required for successful completion of their dissertation.

Employability Skills

• Work independently, creatively, and to deadlines
• Conduct specialised independent research and explore relevant existing knowledge
• Analyse, contextualise, and interpret complex policy issues and multiple sources of evidence
• Synthesise and evaluate information against a backdrop of uncertainty
• Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Present findings and opinions in a clear, structured manner, whether orally or in writing
• Engage in collaborative and constructive discussion

Assessment

Formative

Students receive formative feedback on the design and execution of their dissertation project in the context of their supervision meetings, which are arranged to occur at regular milestones. This formative assessment does not count towards the end of year results, but will provide students with developmental feedback.

Summative

All assignments will be assessed in accordance with the assessment aims set out in the Programme Specification.

Feedback

Students will receive formal feedback in a variety of ways: written (including via email correspondence), oral (including in supervision meetings) and indirectly through, for example, discussion during group sessions.

Feedback is provided on summative assessment and is made available to the student either via email, the VLE or another appropriate method.

Indicative Reading

Note: Comprehensive and current reading lists for courses are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to students; the indicative reading list provided below is used as part of the approval/modification process only.

Books

Biggam, J., Succeeding with your Master’s Dissertation: a Step by Step Handbook, 5th edition (McGraw Hill, 2022).

Blair, G., Coppock, A. and Humphreys, M., Research Design in the Social Sciences: Declaration, Diagnosis, and Redesign (Princeton University Press, 2023).

Bryman, A. et al., Social Research Methods, 6th edition (Oxford University Press, 2021).

Cottrell, S., Dissertations and Project Reports: a Step by Step Guide (Bloomsbury, 2014).

Gorge, A.L. and Bennett, A., Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences (MIT Press, 2005).

Halperin, S. and Heath, O., Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills, 3rd edition (Oxford University Press, 2020).

Marsh, D. and Stoker, G., Theory and Methods in Political Science, 4th edition (Bloomsbury, 2017).

Monroe, A.D., Essentials of Political Research (Routledge, 2000).

Rudestam, K.E. and Newton, R.R., Surviving Your Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process, 4th edition (Sage, 2014).

Van Evera, S., Guide to Methods for Students of Political Science (Cornell University Press, 1997).

Wisker, G., The Postgraduate Research Handbook: Succeed with your MA, MPhil, EdD and PhD, 2nd edition (Bloomsbury, 2007).

Indicative Topics

Students will undertake directed independent study in a designated area of research, in which the faculty is able to provide specialised supervision (including, where interdisciplinary collaboration is desirable, in an area of expertise from within the University).

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