3 ECTS credits
75 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4022164ENR for all students in the 1st semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.
This course provides a general understanding of the building blocks of writing a master thesis.
The course is designed around research methodology in social and political sciences through the exploration of different phases of a research project: state of the art, formulating research questions, formulating research problems and research hypothesis, data gathering/collection and data interpretation/analysis, theoretical framework. Because the course takes place in the first semester when students have just started exploring the trajectory of a master thesis, special attention to the course (including the course assignment and presentation) will be dedicated to developing research questions; formulating research problems/hypotheses; and understanding the state of the art. The course will also introduce research methods (data gathering/collection and data interpretation/analysis), and a theoretical framework, though students will navigate both of them in consultation with their supervisor throughout the research and writing process.
This is a 3 ECTS course and the idea is to expose the students to the main building blocks of researching and writing a master thesis. Students should keep in mind that writing a master thesis dissertation is in large part conducted through self-learning and regular consultations with your supervisor.
Weekly reading materials will be uploaded on Canvas. They include book chapters and journal articles.
For any questions you might have related to the course, please post your question on Canvas > Discussions. That way my responses can be beneficial for your classmates as well who usually have similar questions. Please note that it takes me 3-4 working days to respond to my emails, so questions related to the course are best addressed on Canvas.
The course takes place in parallel with the development of students’ MA thesis, for what the main learning outcomes are highly connected with producing an original piece of research:
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 70% of the final mark.
Other Exam determines 30% of the final mark.
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
The final grade is composed of the Assignment (70%) and Presentation (30%).
More information on the Assignment and the Presentation will be available in your course syllabus.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Political Science: European and International Governance: Standaard traject