This module is not currently running in 2021 to 2022.
PO590 gives students an opportunity to write an 8,000-word dissertation on a topic of their choice, thus allowing them to become specialists in the subject area they find most interesting. A series of lectures and seminars will guide students through the research process from turning research interests into proper research questions, to choosing a method, to designing the research, and to conducting the research. Students will also have supervisors who will be able to advise them on how to make effective progress with their projects. PO590 gives interested final-year students an opportunity to creatively apply what they have learned in their programmes in order to produce a ‘showpiece’ of academic work, which can be used as a writing sample in support of applications for jobs or admission to graduate studies. The module also includes the PO590 Student Conference (normally held on the Friday of the Spring term reading week), where students present their projects and preliminary findings.
Students with a poor record of coursework submission and with an average of coursework grades of less than 60% across all their Stage 2 modules will not be allowed to attend PO590. If you register for this module but fail to meet these conditions – good record of coursework submission and an average of 60% or higher in Stage 2 coursework grades – you will be asked to change your registration and select alternative modules.
300 hours including: 20 hours lectures, 14 hours workshops, 8 hours student conference, 265 study hours
100% coursework (specialist dissertation of 8000 words (70%), conference presentation (20%), dissertation outline (5%), 3 x progress reports (5%))
Booth, WX, Columb GG & Williams JM The Craft of Research (University of Chicago Press, 3rd edn 2008)
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successful completion of the module, students will:
be familiar with the literature relevant to their research project;
be familiar with the theories, concepts and methods relevant to their research projects;
be able to examine and critically evaluate different theories and interpretations of political events, issues and solutions to political problems as required by their dissertation projects, and be able to support the evaluation with evidence and reasoning;
be able to conduct research independently by drawing on feedback from peers and academic supervisors, by exercising reflection and self-criticism, and by managing time and resources effectively;
be able to communicate the findings of their research effectively and fluently, both orally (in a conference setting) and in a substantial piece of writing (8,000-word dissertation);
be able to undertake analysis of complex areas of knowledge and make carefully constructed arguments and advocate solutions to practical and/or academic problems;
have independent learning ability required for further study or professional work.
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