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

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.

3. DEMONSTRATE A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.

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

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

6. DEVISE APPROPRIATE QUESTIONS TO ACHIEVE A SOLUTION, OR IDENTIFY A RANGE OF SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEX ISSUES

7. COMMUNICATE AND CRITICALLY ANALYSE INFORMATION, IDEAS, PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TO BOTH SPECIALIST AND NON-SPECIALIST AUDIENCES

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

9. FORMULATE AND COMMUNICATE THEIR CAREER INTENTIONS ON COMPLETION OF THEIR UNDERGRADUATE COURSE.

Dissertation (10,000 words) a long piece of academic writing based on original research, submitted as evidence of the culmination of undergraduate studies. Requires the research of specific issue of interest, significant contextual understanding of the topic and others’ consideration of it, significant planning, writing, drafting and critical examination of its findings. [90%] [Learning outcomes: Application, Knowledge & Understanding, Learning, Enquiry, Analysis, Problem Solving, Communication, Reflection.

Employability Portfolio (1,000 words) includes a work ready, up to date CV along with the other components of the Personal Development Plan developed in the previous years of study (those these are not assessed). What is assessed is a short reflective essay on learning in the International Relations Project, more widely on the course, and with regards planning for a future career [10%] Learning outcomes Reflection, Communication.

100% Coursework

With a combined focus on a topic in International Relations (ie the Project) presented as a dissertation essay and an employment portfolio that asks the student to develop plans and resources for to assist them after the complete their course this modul 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. This module 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 and provides them with a plan with regard to what they need to do to enter the world of work as a work-ready graduate.

With a combined focus on a topic in International Relations (ie the Project) presented as a dissertation essay as well as an employment portfolio that asks the student to develop plans and resources for to assist them after the complete their course, this module 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. This module 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 and provides them with a plan with regard to what they need to do to enter the world of work as a work-ready graduate.

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 as well as the development of an employment portfolio. 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 and their employment portfolio 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. The employment portfolio will give students actionable plans for career entry upon completion of the course.

Once students have completed the taught elements they will be handed over to a supervisor. They will be able to access an additional 13 hours of supervision organized with their supervisor, and this provides the basis for remaining hours devoted to independent study

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)

Lees, John (2013) Knockout CV: how to get noticed, get interviewed and get hired (McGraw Hill

Library resources, physical and online including books, e-books, e-journals and relevant academic websites.
Blackboard VLE
Computer with internet access

An academic member of staff as supervisor.