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Politics Dissertation - POL00016H

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  • Department: Politics
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Alfred Moore
  • Credit value: 40 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

The Dissertation is an extended piece of writing (up to a maximum of 8,000 words) that allows students to develop their capacity for independent academic research. It is a compulsory module completed by single subject Politics, IR, and Politics and IR students, as well as students from various joint degrees programmes, during their final year. The dissertation programme consists of a schedule of lectures, workshops, and meetings with your Dissertation Supervisor. This programme will assist you with the develop, research, and writing of your dissertation.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25 to Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

To develop the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct independent research and to present the results in a cogent and convincing manner. Depending on the topic, students will have the opportunity to develop and apply quantitative, qualitative, or political theory research techniques. Building of the foundation of knowledge-specific skills and analytical skills learnt during stage 1 and stage 2, the dissertation will promote the development of independent research, critical thinking, writing and project management skills. It will provide an excellent foundation for post-graduate study and professional activities involving communication skills, analysis and reports and presentations.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module students will be able to:

· Design independently a research project around a well-formulated and clear research question

· Organise, appraise and apply a diverse range of sources for independent research purposes

· Construct, develop and sustain a convincing argument

· Demonstrate project management skills required to complete an independent research project

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Dissertation		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Dissertation		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s feedback and guidance hours.

Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 25 working days; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s regular feedback and guidance hours.

Indicative reading

David Boucher and Paul Kelly (2003) Political Thinkers: From Socrates to the Present.

Clark, T. et al. (2019) How To Do Your Social Research Project or Dissertation. Oxford University Press.

Imai, K. (2018) Quantitative Social Science: An Introduction (2018).

Rubin, A (2021) Rocking Qualitative Research. Stanford University Press.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.