Postgraduate Module Descriptor

POLM808: Independent Study in Politics

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The aims of this module are: to provide students with the opportunity to delve deeply into a particular area of interest, applying appropriate research methodologies and drawing on appropriate materials; to develop critical and analytical skills necessary to explore an area of politics that differs from but also complements the content of the taught modules of the students programme; to develop goal setting and time management skills in pursuing a personal programme of research.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. demonstrate an ability to critically analyse arguments by reading and discussing key texts; 2. demonstrate an ability to present concisely sophisticated arguments, and to explain difficult points; and an ability to identify key aspects of a philosophical and theoretical debate.
Discipline-Specific Skills	3. demonstrate an ability to assimilate and critically analyse data from an appropriate range of sources; 4. demonstrate an ability to develop cogent argument; 5. demonstrate an ability to communicate complex information and ideas effectively in writing.
Personal and Key Skills	6. demonstrate an ability to undertake an individual research project and manage one's own time; 7. demonstrate abilities to construct and evaluate ideas, to formulate and express ideas at different levels of abstraction, and to assess and criticise the views of others.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

This module allows students to read for a Supervised Research-Based Essay from a range of research areas in which members of the School have particular expertise. There will be at least five supervision meetings: one to initiate the research followed by meetings to give academic guidance including specific feedback on draft work.

Possible areas of study include:

Any aspect of Politics

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
5	145	0

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	5 hours	Supervision
Guided independent study	145 hours	Independent study

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).