GI7P04 - International Security Studies Dissertation (2023/24)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2023/24 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Module title | International Security Studies Dissertation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 60 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 600 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2023/24(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module provides an opportunity to undertake a major, extended piece of research on a relevant topic chosen by the student, allowing students to develop key skills and demonstrate knowledge in their subject area.
The dissertation counts for the equivalent of three taught modules (60 credits) in the overall grade for an MA, i.e., one third of the total marks.
As a result, this module aims to:
• allow students the opportunity to engage in a major piece of independent research in International Security Studies
• enable students to apply the knowledge and analytical techniques they have gained from studying International Security Studies to a topic of their choice
• develop and demonstrate their research, analytical and time-management skills
• apply and develop their skills in writing up their findings in dissertation form.
Prior learning requirements
No pre-requisites.
This module is available for Study Abroad students
Syllabus
At the beginning, students will be required to attend a series of timetabled lectures and seminars focused on how to research and write a successful dissertation.
Before writing the dissertation itself, students are required to produce a 500-word research proposal, which is used to assign an appropriate supervisor, who the student will then work with for the remainder of your course.
This research proposal should include the following:
• Research question – i.e., what exactly the question is the student is seeking to answer
• Context and significance – e.g., is the research part of an existing academic or policy debate? How does the research further our understanding of the topic? What scholarship exists in the area chosen?
• Methodology – what methods of data collection are going to be used (e.g., library/internet research, interviews, surveys etc.)?
• Proposed structure – a breakdown of proposed chapters
• Ethical considerations – are there any ethical implications to be considered (e.g., the privacy or safety of interview subjects, or yourself?)
• Bibliography – a preliminary list of books and articles likely to be consulted.
Students will then develop their initial proposal into a 12,000 word long dissertation, working closely with their supervisor for guidance and support. (LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Students enrol in this module for the whole year. They are given a detailed course handbook offering advice on the planning and carrying out of their research for the dissertation. They are prepared for their dissertation work through the lecture/workshop classes in the first semester enrolled in the module. They are then allocated a tutor with whom they will meet regularly in order to receive feedback and guidance as their work progresses.
Lectures and seminars are augmented by material on the Weblearn site, inviting students to reflect on what they are learning and to engage with each other interactively.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to demonstrate:
1. the ability to formulate a significant research question and to carry through systematic research towards a defensible answer to the question
2. the ability to master available sources in the given research topic area
3. the ability to reflect upon and find solutions to theoretical and methodological issues raised by the research
4. the ability to evaluate critically evidence and relevant secondary sources in the field
5. the ability to reference their work thoroughly, using a consistent referencing system
Assessment strategy
Students must produce a dissertation of 12,000 words, which will be assessed in line with the learning outcomes above, accounting for 100% of the final grade. (The dissertation may be no more than 10% longer or shorter than the set word length.)
Students will also be required to produce a 500-word research proposal during the first semester of study. This will be an ungraded formative piece of assessment, designed to allow students to be given feedback on their initial research plans.