This module is the 'capstone' module for full-field Politics and International Relations students. Working in small groups, students will be provided with the skills and support necessary to embark upon, complete and present a final year research project. The initial focus of the module will be on small groups of students working to familiarise themselves with an area of staff research expertise, under close supervision of that subject matter expert. This will be made possible through the establishment of a range of staff-led, research-orientated 'reading groups', to which students will sign up. During the first half of the module, students will also receive training in project design and implementation, to complement and consolidate the research methods training received at Levels 4 and 5. The research skills and foundational subject knowledge acquired in the first part of the module will allow students to embark upon their own research project as the year progresses. Individual projects will reflect student interests and desired focus, but will remain embedded within one of the areas of Politics, International Relations and/or Human Rights offered by staff as an initial 'reading group'. The student-led research projects will be presented at the end of the year in an undergraduate academic conference: Themes and Issues in Politics, International Relations and Human Rights.
Research Design Lectures
Reading Groups
Curriculum as per needs of the group
The teaching and learning in this module is delivered through a range of formats:
Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning and teaching | Lectures | 8 |
Scheduled learning and teaching | Reading groups | 16 |
Scheduled learning and teaching | Individual supervision | 3 |
Scheduled learning and teaching | Student conference | 8 |
Guided independent study | 565 | |
Total (number of credits x 10) | 600 |
1x position paper (2,000 words). Deadline: Week 12, Teaching Block 1
1x research preparation report (2,000 words). Deadline: Week 2, Teaching Block 2
1x final project (10,000 words). Deadline: After Teaching Block 2
1x student conference (presentation and panel debate) Formative
Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
---|---|
1) Demonstrate understanding of how to design and implement a research project | Research preparation report |
2) Identify, locate and evaluate primary and secondary sources relevant to the project | Research preparation report; final project |
3) Construct a detailed research proposal, a viable research question, and a realistic plan of action | Research preparation report |
4) Demonstrate understanding of core debates within the relevant field, and an ability to situate and defend their own position within these | Position paper; final project |
5) Successfully complete a research project in the area of Politics, resulting from a significant degree of independent study | Final project |
6) Present and defend the findings of the project in a public setting | Student conference |
Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Coursework | Research preparation report | 20 |
Coursework | Position paper | 20 |
Coursework | Final project | 60 |
Total (to equal 100%) | 100% |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
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