Dissertation (8000 words) [100%] [Learning outcomes 1-8]

With a focus on a topic in International Relations the Dissertation incorporates appropriate stages of research—conceptualising the selected problem, identifying and locating appropriate sources, reading them with the technical competence, critical understanding and insight necessary to establish what can be learned from them, and presenting the results in a clear, coherent, cogent and attractive form. It therefore not only has scholarly value in its own right, but also provides a comprehensive test and display of the skills, strengths and limitations of its author.

1. APPLY AND DEVELOP FURTHER WITH SUPERVISION THE RESEARCH SKILLS, METHODS AND TECHNIQUES ACQUIRED OVER THE PREVIOUS MODULES.
Application

2. DEMONSTRATE A SYSTEMATIC UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWLEDGE OF KEY ASPECTS OF ANALYSIS, ENQUIRY AND DEBATE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, INCLUDING DETAILED KNOWLEDGE OF A SPECIALIST TOPIC, WITH AN APPROPRIATE RANGE OF SOURCES.
Knowledge & Understanding

3. DEMONSTRATE A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.
Learning

4. DEPLOY, METHODOLOGICALLY, ESTABLISHED TECHNIQUES OF RESEARCH AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS IN THE STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.
Enquiry

5. ANALYSE CURRENT DEBATES IN THE STUDY AND RESEARCH OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, AND CRITICALLY EVALUATE ARGUMENTS, ASSUMPTIONS, CONCEPTS AND DATA TO MAKE REASONED JUDGEMENTS
Analysis

6. DEVISE APPROPRIATE QUESTIONS TO ACHIEVE A SOLUTION, OR IDENTIFY A RANGE OF SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEX ISSUES Problem Solving
7. COMMUNICATE AND CRITICALLY ANALYSE INFORMATION, IDEAS, PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TO BOTH SPECIALIST AND NON-SPECIALIST AUDIENCES Communication

8. MANAGE ONE'S OWN SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING, EXERCISE A HIGH LEVEL OF INITIATIVE, AND DEPLOY EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES.
Reflection

Students are supported for the first 6 weeks of their module via staff and peer engagement on a discussion board. The module provides the support necessary for the clear planning and organization of the dissertation. Students will be expected to engage on the board to discuss their Research question selection, research proposal design, sources and ethical considerations. By engaging on the discussion board students will be well prepared for independent learning. Overall, the writing of the dissertation will develop crucial competencies and research skills which are required to pursue International Relations at postgraduate level or in a range of careers including academia.

Once students have completed the discussion board they will be handed over to a supervisor. They will be entitled to 12 hours of supervision organized with their supervisor, and this provides the basis for 288 hours devoted to independent study.

• Students’ own textbooks; supplied course packs of readings; e-books; e-journals; relevant websites.
• Blackboard VLE
• Computer with internet access

Cottrell, Stella (2014) Dissertations and Project Reports: A step by Step Guide (Palgrave Macmillan)
Greetham, Bryan (2014) How to Write Your Undergraduate Dissertation, 2nd ed. (Palgrave Macmillan)
Walliman, Nicholas (2014) Your Undergraduate Dissertation: The Essential Guide for Success, 2nd ed (Sage)