PO3DIP: Dissertation in Politics and International Relations

Module code: PO3DIP

Module provider: Politics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 40

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Adam Humphreys, email: a.r.humphreys@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE PO2SOP OR TAKE HS2HAD (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module supports students to prepare an independent, research-based dissertation of 8,000-10,000 words on a topic in Politics and International Relations (broadly understood).  Dissertation topics are chosen by students, in consultation with advisers within the Department of Politics and International Relations; they are also individually supervised.  Dissertations represent the culmination of three years of progressively more independent study in Politics and International Relations. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Design a research question capable of being effectively answered 
2. Engage critically with a range of a range of literature relevant to their chosen question 
3. Choose and implement a methodological approach suitable for answering their question 
4. Conduct independent research on their chosen topic 
5. Marshal data, evidence, and arguments to construct a coherent and persuasive answer to their research question 
6. Present and write up their research in a clear and rationally-structured fashion 

Module content

The module content supports students to design an individual research project, conduct independent research, and write up their dissertations.  Lecture content will cover topics such as getting going with a dissertation, reviewing literature, methodology, conducting research, and writing up.  This will be complemented by a mini-conference at which students will present early progress with their research, specialist workshops on the implementation of particular methodological approaches, and one-to-one supervision, the focus of which will depend on the topic chosen by each student and on their individual needs. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching will be delivered principally via (i) one-to-one supervision of each project, (ii) a series of lectures for all students focused on how to develop a dissertation project through its various stages; and (iii) specialist methods workshops.  In addition, students will attend and present the early stages of their research at a dissertation mini-conference.  

Study hours

At least 19 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Supervisors will read and provide written comments on a draft chapter of up to 2,000 words. 

Reassessment

Additional costs