Dissertation MSc by Research European Union Politics & Law (60 credit) (P01955)

? Credit Points : 60 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : SPS-P-SPS

The dissertation is the point at which students progress from the structured study via courses to independent self-structured study. In preparation, students benefit from the experience and guidance of academic staff members. Students select the topic of the dissertation, but it must generally be related to the issues and substance of European Union Law and/or Politics. They are expected to demonstrate ability to engage critically and analytically with literature in the field, building upon relevant concepts and theory covered in the taught element of the degree. There is usually expected to be a balance of empirical and theoretical work.
Students are not required to conduct primary empirical research, but are expected to show how they would do so in a PhD thesis. The dissertation may vary in breadth of coverage, depending on the interests of the student, but are ordinarily expected to show knowledge of both European Union politics and law in their topic area. Dissertations written for the MSc by Research are expected to demonstrate how advanced research in the chosen subject area could be conducted in order to meet the requirements of a PhD dissertation.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Politics, (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Full Year (Blocks 1-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 1 hour(s) per week for 30 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Successful completion of the dissertation will demonstrate the student's ability:
- To carry out a sustained piece of independent literature-based scholarship, involving project and time management
- To employ relevant concepts and theories in the articulation of research questions and research design
- To identify and use relevant literature critically and analytically
- To demonstrate an understanding of research methods and analysis, appropriate to the research topic, taking due account of ethical concerns
- To present independent research in a written form, in line with research and bibliographic conventions.
- To produce a credible doctoral proposal