Module POL3040 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
POL3040: Dissertation
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 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.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
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Module-Specific Skills | 1. develop your own research project, the terms of which must be approved by a member of academic staff. |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 2. 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 Skills | 6. organise your own time over the two terms; 7. manage and plan work time over a lengthy period. |
Indicative Reading List
This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.
Regardless of what topic you choose the following books will help you plan, research and execute your dissertation:
Judith Burnett, Doing your Social Science Dissertation (SAGE, 2009)
Bryan Greetham, How to Write Your Undergraduate Dissertation (Palgrave 2014)
Kate Williams, Planning Your Dissertation (Pocket Study Skills, 2013)
Nicholas William, Your Undergraduate Dissertation (SAGE, 2013)