3 ECTS credits
90 h study time

Offer 2 with catalog number 4012516ENR for all students in the 1st semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Om dit opleidingsonderdeel te kunnen opnemen, moet je gelijktijdig de masterproef politieke wetenschappen opnemen. Studenten die hun vooropleiding aan de VUB hebben gedaan, hebben 'Bachelorproef politieke wetenschappen' of 'Paper politieke wetenschappen' gevolgd, alvorens dit opleidingsonderdeel op te nemen.
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Political Science
Educational team
Dimokritos Kavadias (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
10 contact hours Lecture
2 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
80 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

In this workshop we try to clarify the steps in order to write a master thesis in the domain of political science.

Students get acquainted a quick memory refreshment in epistemology and in basic social science methodology. The workshop acts as a forum for a first exploration and discussion of topics for the master thesis.

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Teksten + slides, Canvas
Additional info

The practical organisation of the course moments and course content will be available on Canvas at the beginning of the semester in a separate course outline.
Mandatory readings (articles and chapters) will be available for the students on Canvas.
Lectures and discussions during the course moments are part of the study material.
The slides used for the lecture are also uploaded on Canvas after each class.

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

In General

The purpose of this course is to provide students with the competences:

  • to be familiar with the requirements for the master thesis in political science
  • to be aware of key elements, such as the minimal requirements, timing, organisation, and role of the supervisor, evaluation-criteria.
  • to be able to write a decent research proposal to start a master thesis.

More Specifically

  • to be able to phrase a clear research question and frame a subject.
  • to search and synthesise the relevant academic literature.
  • to be able to provide relevant concepts, variables and indicators and to evaluate their validity, reliability, and relevance.
  • to be familiar with the different types of research designs in order to handle questions relevant to political science.
  • to be familiar with techniques of case selection and the most appropriate form of data gathering, given a certain research question.
  • to be able to choose the most appropriate form of data-analyses and presentation.
  • to be familiar with the rules to write a political science paper.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Paper 1_Literature Report with a relative weight of 30 which comprises 30% of the final mark.
  • Paper 2_Research Question with a relative weight of 70 which comprises 70% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The final evaluation is based on following aspects:

  •     A first assignment on defining a topic, synthesizing research literature and working towards a research question for the master's thesis (30%).
  •     A second paper in which the research question and the research design of the master's thesis are explained (70%).

Notice: The papers will be submitted to anti-plagiarism software. If there is any doubt about the authenticity of the papers, the student will be asked to present them orally.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Political Science: Democracy and Leadership (only offered in Dutch)