Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL3040: Dissertation

This module descriptor refers to the 2024/5 academic year.

Module Aims

This module aims to equip you with necessary knowledge and skills to conduct research on the research question of your choice resulting in a dissertation within one of the areas of politics, including political science, or political theory, or political philosophy, or International Relations. It is taught by using a series of dissertation skills sessions that introduce you how to design, research for and write up your dissertation; by drawing upon one-to-one supervision meetings working with one of the members of staff, and most importantly, based on your independent 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 Skills1. develop your own research project, the terms of which must be approved by a member of academic staff.
Discipline-Specific Skills2. analyse a subject in the field of politics in great detail;
3. engage in primary and/or secondary data analysis using appropriate research design, and robust and ethical approach to data collection and analysis to address chosen research question(s). Engage in primary research of political material;
4. demonstrate detailed knowledge of the appropriate literatures and ability to place your own research within the field;
5. demonstrate a high standard of academic writing, presentation and structuring a substantive research project.
Personal and Key Skills6. organise your own time over the two terms;
7. manage and plan work time over a lengthy period.