Postgraduate Course: Project-Based Report (MSc Global Environment, Politics and Society) (PGSP11360)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Dissertation |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 60 |
| Home subject area | Postgrad (School of Social and Political Studies) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | 1. Description
As an alternative to the conventional dissertation, students can apply to complete a project-based report with an NGO, government department, political party, or business over the spring and summer. Students will undertake a research project on an environmental topic linked to the activities of their respective host. The research projects will need to be officially approved by the programme directors, and students will have a relevant member of staff as a contact, in parallel with the arrangement for dissertation supervision.
2. Organisation
Project opportunities will be set up in collaboration with IAD/ Making the Most of Masters programme and made available on a competitive basis, with applications at the start of Semester Two. Possible partners include organisations in the non-profit sector (e.g. Friends of the Earth Scotland, Oxfam International, Mercy Corps, WWF); UK government (DECC, DEFRA); Scottish government (e.g. Scottish Government¿s Rural Affairs and the Environment ministry, Enterprise and Environment directorate, Climate Change directorate, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency), political parties, businesses. Placements will be competitive and candidates would be shortlisted on the basis of their marks for the previous semester, with employers making the final decision based on the students¿ personal statement. Students may also set up projects directly, subject to a formal process of approval by the programme conveners. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | No |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2013/14 Block 5 (Sem 2) and beyond, Available to all students (SV1)
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Learn enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
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Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Course Start Date |
21/04/2014 |
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
600
(
Dissertation/Project Supervision Hours 5,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 12,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
583 )
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| Additional Notes |
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| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- learn to undertake independent work on a topic chosen in conjunction with a host organisation, but drawing on knowledge and insights form one or more of the GEPS¿s core disciplinary fields (politics, ethics, sociology);
- display and extend their research skills, training and knowledge acquired in the previous coursework, and apply them to the agreed project;
- employ relevant knowledge, concepts, and analytical approaches from their chosen field to inform their project report;
- exercise and consolidate their time-management, task-management, and self-motivational skills in the planning, conduct, and execution of their research;
- develop and refine their communication and verbal presentational skills;
- demonstrate attention to the relevant data analysis, referencing, and bibliographic skills necessary to complete the report |
Assessment Information
Assessment will be on the basis of:
a) a project diary of maximum 3000 words (20% of final mark)
This involves a fortnightly progress report throughout the placement, sent to the academic supervisor, reflecting both knowledge gained and personal development in the work situation.
b) an analytical report of between 8000 and 12000 words (80% of final mark), including a literature review (maximum 3000 words) which the student should have completed before beginning the placement.
This can take the form of:
- a policy report or briefing paper relevant to the organisation,
- a project report drawing on data collected on behalf of the organisation, or
- a project evaluation report examining a specific project established by the organisation.
It will be marked in SPS according to criteria including
- does the report include a clear definition of the task?
- is the overall report of a high standard and quality?
- has the report demonstrated the use and application of appropriate
¿ methods?
- is the report of value to the host organisation? Has the student demonstrated the report's value to this organisation?
- is the report clearly written and well-presented?
Detailed guidelines for the report (similar to dissertation guidance document) will be provided to participating students. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Elizabeth Bomberg
Tel: (0131 6)50 4248
Email: e.bomberg@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Gillian Macdonald
Tel: (0131 6)51 3244
Email: gillian.macdonald@ed.ac.uk |
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