1. INTEGRATE ELEMENTS OF YOUR LEARNING ON THE PROGRAMME AS A WHOLE INCLUDING AN EMPHASIS ON CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORETICAL APPROACHES AND DEBATES IN THE LITERATURE.
Analysis, Knowledge & Understanding, Reflection

2. APPLY SKILLS OF RESEARCH (USING PRIMARY AND/OR SECONDARY SOURCES).
Application, Enquiry, Learning, Problem Solving

3. BE COGNIZANT WITH METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES.
Application, Knowledge & Understanding

4. DEMONSTRATE A LEVEL OF COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS APPROPRIATE FOR THE MASTERS LEVEL UTILISING STANDARD NOTATIONAL AND REFERENCING CONVENTIONS.
Communication

A dissertation, length 15,000 words, weighted at 100%
Learning Outcomes 1-4

The dissertation consists of a research project based on a topic that you will choose in conjunction with a supervisor. You will begin the dissertation by working through a series of tasks on Blackboard, e.g. developing a research question, writing a proposal, etc. supported by a dissertation module tutor. After completion of the ten tasks, you will be allocated an individual supervisor who will have responsibility for guiding you to completion of your dissertation. It will be the joint responsibility of the student and the supervisor to design a schedule for the undertaking of the dissertation in relation to appropriate targets of progress. To assist you, a dissertation guidebook will be issued. This will provide information about the administrative arrangements for the dissertation; guidance on the characteristics and objectives of the dissertation; conventions governing the organising of work for a dissertation and the form of its presentation; the criteria for assessment and the assessment procedures.

You will be allocated an individual supervisor who will have responsibility for guiding you to completion of your dissertation. It will be the joint responsibility of the student and the supervisor to design a schedule for the undertaking of the dissertation in relation to appropriate targets of progress. To assist you a dissertation guidebook will be issued. This will provide information about the administrative arrangements for the dissertation; guidance on the characteristics and objectives of the dissertation; conventions governing the organising of work for a dissertation and the form of its presentation; the criteria for assessment and the assessment procedures.

Hart, C., 2004. Doing Your Masters Dissertation. SAGE.
Lamont, C., 2015. Research Methods in International Relations. SAGE.
Lowndes, V., Marsh, D., Stoker, G., 2017. Theory and Methods in Political Science. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Peter, L., 2012. Excellent Dissertations! McGraw-Hill Education (UK).

A computer with internet connection for accessing Blackboard, Course texts and course learning packs,
Library resources including books, journals, data bases cd-rom, websites, ejournals, ebrary and other electronic resources.
IT facilities including word processing.

Pre-requisites PG Dip
Co-requisites None
Admissions requirements PG Dip
Disqualified combinations None