Politics Independent Research Paper POLITIC4019P

  • Academic Session: 2025-26
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Runs Throughout Semesters 1 and 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This paper is available to all MA(SocSci) students, both Single and Joint. Students will identify a topic with their allocated supervisor which they will then research with only limited further supervision.

Timetable

None

Requirements of Entry

Mandatory Entry Requirements

Entry to Honours Politics requires a grade point average of 12 (Grade C) over Politics 2A and Politics 2B as a first attempt. Completion of Politics and International Relations Dissertation Preparation (POLITIC4189 - zero credits) course (can be waived at the discretion of the Subject.)

Excluded Courses

Politics Dissertation (POLITIC4017P)

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

One 4,500-5,000 word independent research paper: 100% of final mark.

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below.

Course Aims

This paper is available to all Honours students, both Single and Joint. The Independent Research Paper aims to provide the opportunity for students to undertake an independent piece of research, identifying and evaluating the suitability of primary and secondary resources. The topic can be in any area of the discipline of Politics where suitable supervision can be provided. Students will identify a topic with their allocated supervisor which they will then research with only limited further supervision.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this programme students will be able to:

■ demonstrate the capacity for independent learning within the constraints of a piece of work longer than a course essay and shorter than the Dissertation;

■ demonstrate developed & detailed understanding of their chosen topic;

■ ability to construct a coherent argument with the precision required by the special length of the Independent Research Paper;

■ demonstrate the ability to articulate in a cogent and literate manner the results of their reading and/or research.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

None