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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014 -
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Law : Law

Postgraduate Course: Dissertation MSc Global Crime, Justice and Security (LAWS11296)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Law CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Course typeDissertation AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) Credits60
Home subject areaLaw Other subject areaPolitics
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionAn independent piece of research and analysis of up to 10,000 words on an agreed topic in the field of Global Crime, Justice and Security. Supervision is provided. Work that integrates perspectives from more than one relevant discipline is especially welcomed.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2013/14 Block 5 (Sem 2) and beyond, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Learn enabled:  No Quota:  None
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 8, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 12, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 580 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Learning outcomes are to be achieved independently and with supervisors' guidance to build on understanding, skills and knowledge developed through 120 level-11 credit courses as part of the Degree Programme Timetable for the MSc in Global Crime, Justice and Security. The ability to integrate perspectives from more than one discipline, where appropriate to the selected topic and question, is given special recognition.
2. The ability to undertake a sustained piece of supervised, but independent, work in the field of global crime, justice and security displaying a mix, appropriate to the selected research topic and question, of research skills, analytic skills, theoretical understanding and substantive knowledge.
3. The ability to engage critically and analytically with the literature in the field of specialist interest.

4. The ability to employ relevant legal, political and/or social science concepts and theories in formulating a thesis.
5. The ability to manage the conduct, presentation, and timing of an independent research project, employing appropriate analytic, comparative and bibliographic skills.
Assessment Information
One text of up to 10,000 words. Full guidance on what is included in the word count is provided.
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description The MSc in Global Crime, Justice and Security is defined by its analytical focus rather than any disciplinary approach. During the programme students will have been exposed to legal and political theory and philosophy, political science, sociology, criminology and international relations. Students can choose any one of a number of approaches to the dissertation, so long as it is appropriate to answer the research question. The dissertation can take a variety of forms, including:
Analysis of documents, such as policy documents
Analysis of law, through statute and case-material (a ¿black-letter law¿ approach)
Analysis of secondary data (quantitative or qualitative data)
Fieldwork based, involving the generation, collection and analysis of primary data
Analysis primarily aimed at advancing conceptual and/or theoretical insights
Any sensible combination of the above.
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Analytic thinking;
Writing clearly and concisely to a brief;
Delivering an argument and supporting it with evidence;
Formulating, planning and managing large projects;
Working independently and managing deadlines;
Oral communication skills.
Reading list Becker, H. 1986. Writing for Social Scientists: How to Start and Finish Your Thesis, Book or Article. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Hart, C. 1998. Doing a Literature Review. London: Sage.
Israel, M. and Hay, I. 2006. Research Ethics for Social Scientists. London: Sage.
Salter, M. and Mason, J. 2007. Writing Law Dissertations. Harlow: Pearson.
Turabian, K.L. 2007. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Wilson, S. and Kenny, P. 2007. The Law Student¿s Handbook. Oxford: Oxford University Press (especially p. 132ff. ¿Preparing Substantial Pieces of Work¿).
Study Abroad Students seeking to conduct all or part of the work on their dissertation away from Edinburgh should present a case to the programme director.
Study Pattern Students will be issued with guidance on the specific arrangements for supervision. Students receive a limited amount of guidance through one-to-one supervision to help formulate a research question, develop an appropriate research strategy, and will receive written feedback on a limited amount of written work.
KeywordsDissertation; Interdisciplinary; Law; Politics; Criminology; International
Contacts
Course organiserMr Andy Aitchison
Tel: (0131 6)51 4563
Email: andy.aitchison@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Douglas Thompson
Tel: (0131 6)50 2022
Email: D.Thompson@ed.ac.uk
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