Introductory description

tbc

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Each student will be allocated an individual dissertation adviser/supervisor at both Warwick and the international partner institution. During their year at Warwick they will be given some group instruction on how to determine a topic, how to construct a research question, how to structure their dissertation, and how to reference their work. They will present their research ideas at the PAIS MA Dissertation Conference. They will receive similar group instruction at the partner institution. The dissertation advisers/supervisors will give individual advice on dissertation title, review and give written and verbal feedback on dissertation outlines, and offer further guidance how to complete the dissertation.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an in-depth comprehension of the current literature in their chosen topic area within politics and international studies, including the boundaries of current knowledge and where these may be extended.
• Apply appropriate theoretical and conceptual frameworks and analytical methods to their research question.
• Construct and sustain an argument through a major piece of work.
• Use appropriate referencing and bibliographical methods.

Indicative reading list

Patrick Dunleavy, Studying for a Degree in the Humanities and Social Sciences (Basingstoke: Macmillan Education, 1986)

The MHRA Style Book: Notes for Authors, Editors, and Writers of Theses (London: Modern Humanities Research Association, 1996 5th edition), 84pp.
John Peck and Martin Coyle, The Student’s Guide to Writing: Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1999), 146pp.
Style Guide (London: The Economist, 2000 6th edition), 154pp.
Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses and Dissertations (London: Heinemann, 1982), 288pp.
The Chicago Manual of Style for Authors, Editors, and Copywriters (Chicago: Chicago University Press, various editions), 700pp.

Subject specific skills

• Able to demonstrate an in-depth comprehension of the current literature in their chosen topic area within politics and international studies, including the boundaries of current knowledge and where these may be extended.
• Able to apply appropriate theoretical and conceptual frameworks and analytical methods to their research question.

Transferable skills

• Able to construct and sustain an argument through a major piece of work.
• Able to use appropriate referencing and bibliographical method