Module POLM808 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
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.
| 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. |
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Plan | 500 words | 1-7 | Oral and/or Written |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 100 | 3,750 words | 1-7 | Written feedback |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (3,750 words) | 1-7 | August/September reassessment period |
