Dissertation in International Relations (Nankai) SPS5031P

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 60
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Runs Throughout Semesters 1 and 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

The dissertation will allow students to explore an area of particular interest. Working closely with a supervisor, they will develop the topic, undertake the research and submit a dissertation of 15,000 words.

Timetable

None

Requirements of Entry

None

Assessment

Dissertation of 15,000 words

Course Aims

Aims:

■ to provide training and support that will enable students to research and write a dissertation which fulfils the requirements of the relevant postgraduate programme.

■ to engage students in independent research and study.

■ to teach students how to construct an argument and maintain it over an extended piece of written work.

■ to allow students to explore in some depth a topic of interest.

■ to enable students to share ideas and experience in developing research proposals and methods.

■ to develop students' oral presentational skills by facilitating group presentations and discussions.

■ to enable students to develop and deploy library and internet skills in literature search and data source identification.

■ to develop students' IT skills including manipulation and presentation of statistical data.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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

■ undertake a substantial, focused piece of research using research methods and analytical techniques that are appropriate to their programme of study.

■ research the literature relating to a specific topic or issue relevant to their programme of study, and present a synthesis and critical review of the literature.

■ identify and formulate hypotheses to be tested or problems to be addressed deriving from their analysis of the literature.

■ confront these hypotheses or problems by mobilising relevant evidence and analysing it using statistical or other appropriate methods

■ evaluate findings and draw out their implications.

■ present a substantial piece of written work that is clearly motivated and structured, and conforms to the requirements specified in the course documentation with regard to the quality of written work and to presentational features such as length, layout, citations and bibliography.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessmnt.