12 ECTS credits
360 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 2020322BNR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.

Semester
1st and 2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Alvorens men kan inschrijven voor 'paper politieke wetenschappen' moeten studenten in het schakel- of voorbereidingsprogramma politieke wetenschappen ingeschreven of geslaagd zijn voor 'Politicologie: algemene inleiding' en 'Werkcollege onderzoeksmethoden voor de politieke wetenschappen'.
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Political Science
Educational team
Dimokritos Kavadias (course titular)
Nohemi Jocabeth Echeverria Vicente
Activities and contact hours

39 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
135 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

Students will study a political science research topic in depth under the supervision of an experienced researcher. Students have to choose a topic from a list proposed by the members of the political science department. Each student gets assigned to a researcher with a specific research topic. Students learn to explore in smaller working groups the chosen topic. They learn to analyse a specific aspect of the topic and learn to report their research activities for a scientific audience.

All students have to follow a series of seminars in the first and second semester. Students will get a hands-on approach to practical and academic skills.

Course material
Digital course material (Recommended) : We verwijzen voor de praktische uitwerking van de contactmomenten en de inhoud van de cursus naar de studieleidraad, Canvas
Additional info

The practical organisation of the course moments and course content will available on Canvas at the beginning of the semester in a separate course outline. The outline also provides the deadlines and the criteria that will be used for evaluation.

The corequisites apply only to the students in the preparatory programs ('schakel' & 'voorbereiding') in political science. The prerequisites apply to all other students.

Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

In general:

The student is familiar with the common theories and concepts in political science literature. The student acquires problem-solving skills in order to analyse real life problems studied by political scientists. The student is able to suggest possible solutions or ways to obtain answers. This implies a critical scientific attitude towards existing sources, opinions, and theories. Students learn to draw conclusions and to communicate to a public of peers.

More specifically:

  • Students can apply political science theories/frameworks to real cases.
  • The student is able to operationalize concepts adopted or developed in political science.
  • The student is prepared for independent learning.
  • The student is able to set up, to carry out and to evaluate a research project.
  • The student can design a project plan.
  • Students are able to write a clear research report.
  • Students acquire a research attitude.
  • The student is able to solve a problem in team.

Grading

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

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

  • Actieve deelname with a relative weight of 15 which comprises 15% of the final mark.
  • Paper with a relative weight of 75 which comprises 75% of the final mark.
  • Presentatie paper with a relative weight of 10 which comprises 10% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The course is an annual course. The evaluation takes place in the 2nd semester (June).

The assessment consists of the following assignment categories:

  • Written paper: 75%
  • Oral presentation paper: 10%
  • Active participation and effort in group sessions in semester 1 and 2: 15%

De partial exam results for the 'written paper' and 'oral presentation' are transferred to the second session if the student obtains a 10/20 or more for the respective assignment.

Second session exam is not possible for the aspect 'active participation and effort in group sessions'. The mark for this aspect will be transferred to the second session exam. Absence for the aspect 'active participation and effort in group sessions' leads to a mark '0' for that assignment.

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:
Bridging Programme Master of Science in Political Science: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Bridging Programme Master of Science in Political Science: Standaard traject (ws) (only offered in Dutch)
Preparatory Programme Master of Science in Political Science: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)