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PL30670: Politics dissertation

[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Further information on credits Credits: 12      [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 240
Further information on unit levels Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Academic Year
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: DS 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Dissertation (DS 100%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Description: Aims:
The aim of the unit is for students to design and conduct a research project on an approved topic in politics (understood broadly to include related political aspects of related subjects such as social policy) under supervision. Advice and further details are given in the Programme Handbooks for Politics with Economics, Politics with International Relations and Language & Politics students.

Learning Outcomes:
Students who complete the unit successfully will have enhanced skills which are widely transferable in the workplace and will also be well-prepared for postgraduate study. They will have been able to demonstrate the ability to:
* frame and develop a research topic in politics
* research their topic in an appopriate range of sources
* conduct a sustained analysis of their topic
* present that analysis in writing in a clear and cogent manner
* work independently.
They will also have demonstrated a critical awareness of the importance of methodology and conceptual analysis in political research and writing.

Skills:
Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are developed and assessed in this unit.

Content:
Students will choose a specific research topic and design and conduct a research project in consultation with a suitable supervisor. A formal outline must be submitted by the end of teaching in the first semester. Students will receive general advice and support throughout the year in the form of individual supervision. They will receive detailed feedback on initial plans, the outline and up to one-third of the final draft.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PL30670 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB13 : BA(Hons) French and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB12 : BA(Hons) German and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB16 : BA(Hons) Italian ab initio and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB15 : BA(Hons) Russian ab initio and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB17 : BA(Hons) Spanish and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AFB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations (Year 3)
  • UHPL-AAB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AKB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics (Year 3)
  • UHPL-AAB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Year long work placement (Year 4)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.