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PO9E3-60 PAIS Double Masters Dissertation

Department
Politics & International Studies
Level
Taught Postgraduate Level
Module leader
Trevor McCrisken
Credit value
60
Module duration
30 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

Introductory description

tbc

Module web page

Module aims

The module aims to allow students to synthesise, apply and extend the knowledge they have gained in the taught component of the programme at Warwick and the international partner institution. The identification and investigation of a current research topic will help students to develop theoretical and empirical understanding of current problems in their area, as well as their research and communication skills. Emphasis will be placed on taking a critical approach to the assumptions of existing literature and the methodologies they adopt to address their research question. The dissertation is an exercise in independent study in which students pursue a topic of their choice that may concern any aspect of the subject matter of their programme.

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

Study time

Type Required
Project supervision 9 sessions of 2 hours (3%)
Private study 582 hours (97%)
Total 600 hours

Private study description

tbc

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A1
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Joint Dissertation 100% Yes (extension)

Joint dissertation of 15,000 words maximum

Feedback on assessment

Written and verbal feedback is provided on the non-assessed dissertation plan and written feedback is given on the final joint dissertation using the standard PAIS MA feedback forms.

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 2 of TPOS-M9PE Double MA in Politics and International Studies (with NTU Singapore)
  • Year 1 of TPOS-M9PP Double MA in Politics and International Studies (with Universität Konstanz, Germany)

This module is Core optional for:

  • TPOS-M9PX Double MA in Global Governance (with University of Waterloo, Canada)
    • Year 1 of M9PX Global Governance Double MA (with University of Waterloo)
    • Year 1 of M96J Global Governance: United States Foreign and Security Policy (Double Degree - Waterloo)
    • Year 1 of M96L International Development (Double Degree - Waterloo)
    • Year 1 of M96B International Political Economy (Double Degree - Waterloo)
    • Year 1 of M96C International Politics and East Asia (Double Degree - Waterloo)
    • Year 1 of M96D International Politics and Europe (Double Degree - Waterloo)
    • Year 1 of M96E International Relations (Double Degree - Waterloo)
    • Year 1 of M96G International Security (Double Degree - Waterloo)
    • Year 1 of M96K Political and Legal Theory (Double Degree - Waterloo)
    • Year 1 of M96H Public Policy (Double Degree - Waterloo)
  • TPOS-M9PV Double MA in Journalism, Politics and International Studies (with Monash University)
    • Year 1 of M9PV Journalism, Politics and International Studies Double Degree (with Monash University)
    • Year 1 of M94L Journalism, Politics and International Studies: International Development (Double Degree - Monash)
    • Year 1 of M94B Journalism, Politics and International Studies: International Political Economy (Double Degree - Monash)
    • Year 1 of M94C Journalism, Politics and International Studies: International Politics and East Asia (Double Degree - Monash)
    • Year 1 of M94D Journalism, Politics and International Studies: International Politics and Europe (Double Degree - Monash)
    • Year 1 of M94E Journalism, Politics and International Studies: International Relations (Double Degree - Monash)
    • Year 1 of M94G Journalism, Politics and International Studies: International Security (Double Degree - Monash)
    • Year 1 of M94K Journalism, Politics and International Studies: Political and Legal Theory (Double Degree - Monash)
    • Year 1 of M94H Journalism, Politics and International Studies: Public Policy (Double Degree - Monash)
    • Year 1 of M94J Journalism, Politics and International Studies: United States Foreign Policy (Double Degree - Monash)
  • TPOS-M9PW Double MA in Politics and International Service (with American University, Washington DC)
    • Year 1 of M9PW Politics and International Service Double MA (with American University)
    • Year 1 of M95L Politics and International Service: International Development (Double Degree - AU)
    • Year 1 of M95B Politics and International Service: International Political Economy (Double Degree - AU)
    • Year 1 of M95C Politics and International Service: International Politics and East Asia (Double Degree - AU)
    • Year 1 of M95D Politics and International Service: International Politics and Europe (Double Degree - AU)
    • Year 1 of M95E Politics and International Service: International Relations (Double Degree - AU)
    • Year 1 of M95G Politics and International Service: International Security (Double Degree - AU)
    • Year 1 of M95K Politics and International Service: Political and Legal Theory (Double Degree - AU)
    • Year 1 of M95H Politics and International Service: Public Policy (Double Degree - AU)
    • Year 1 of M95J Politics and International Service: United States Foreign Policy (Double Degree - AU)
  • TPOS-M9Q5 Double MA in Politics and International Studies (with Konstanz, Germany)
    • Year 1 of M90L Politics and Public Administration: International Development (Double Degree - Konstanz)
    • Year 1 of M90B Politics and Public Administration: International Political Economy (Double Degree - Konstanz)
    • Year 2 of M90E Politics and Public Administration: International Relations (Double Degree - Konstanz)
  • TPOS-M9PE Double MA in Politics and International Studies (with NTU Singapore)
    • Year 1 of M91L International Development (Double Degree - NTU)
    • Year 1 of M91B International Political Economy (Double Degree - NTU)
    • Year 1 of M91C International Politics and East Asia (Double Degree - NTU)
    • Year 1 of M91D International Politics and Europe (Double Degree - NTU)
    • Year 1 of M91E International Relations (Double Degree - NTU)
    • Year 1 of M91G International Security (Double Degree - NTU)
    • Year 1 of M91K Political and Legal Theory (Double Degree - NTU)
    • Year 1 of M91H Public Policy (Double Degree - NTU)
    • Year 1 of M91J United States Foreign Policy (Double Degree - NTU)
  • TPOS-M9PR Double MA in Politics and International Studies (with Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona)
    • Year 1 of M93L International Development (Double Degree - Barcelona)
    • Year 1 of M93B International Political Economy (Double Degree - Barcelona)
    • Year 1 of M93C International Politics and East Asia (Double Degree - Barcelona)
    • Year 1 of M93D International Politics and Europe (Double Degree - Barcelona)
    • Year 1 of M93E International Relations (Double Degree - Barcelona)
    • Year 1 of M93G International Security (Double Degree - Barcelona)
    • Year 1 of M93K Political and Legal Theory (Double Degree - Barcelona)
    • Year 1 of M93H Public Policy (Double Degree - Barcelona)
    • Year 1 of M93J United States Foreign Policy (Double Degree - Barcelona)
  • TPOS-M9PP Double MA in Politics and International Studies (with Universität Konstanz, Germany)
    • Year 1 of M92L International Development (Double Degree - Konstanz)
    • Year 1 of M92B International Political Economy (Double Degree - Konstanz)
    • Year 1 of M92D International Politics and Europe (Double Degree - Konstanz)
    • Year 1 of M92E International Relations (Double Degree - Konstanz)
    • Year 1 of M92G International Security (Double Degree - Konstanz)
    • Year 1 of M92K Political and Legal Theory (Double Degree - Konstanz)
    • Year 1 of M92H Public Policy (Double Degree - Konstanz)
    • Year 1 of M92J United States Foreign Policy (Double Degree - Konstanz)