Postgraduate Course: Work-based dissertation (Africa and International Development) (PGSP11403)
Course Outline
School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Course type | Dissertation |
Availability | Available to all students |
SCQF Credits | 60 |
ECTS Credits | 30 |
Summary | Students will undertake a 15,000 word dissertation linked to a work-based placement on a topic related to Africa and International Development issues, to be submitted by a date specified in the University Regulations, usually mid-August. The dissertation will comprise a 12,000 word research paper and a 3,000 word project diary. The placements generally consist of eight weeks of on-location research with a host organisation in the UK or overseas, from our network of contacts which includes NGOs, charities, social enterprises, think-tanks and government bodies.
The dissertation is an extended piece of scholarship in which a student is expected to formulate and sustain a substantive piece of independent research in Africa and International Development. The final 3,000 word diary will be submitted alongside the research paper, and fortnightly draft submissions will also be required.
The work is expected to engage critically and analytically with the literature in the field, building upon relevant concepts and theories introduced in the taught elements of the degree and deploying a range of primary and secondary sources as well as appropriate data-analytic and bibliographic skills. Each student will be allocated a research supervisor by the end of the second semester to advise on and oversee her/his research progress. |
Course description |
Not entered
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites | None |
High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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Academic year 2018/19, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
Course Start |
Block 5 (Sem 2) and beyond |
Timetable |
Timetable |
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
600
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Dissertation/Project Supervision Hours 12,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 12,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
576 )
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Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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Additional Information (Assessment) |
The 15,000 word dissertation includes a research paper of 12,000 words and a research-based Diary of 3,000 words. Draft diaries must be sent on a fortnightly basis to the academic supervisor and the placement coordinator. |
Feedback |
Not entered |
No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the dissertation the students will have:
- Knowledge of academic and policy debates about international development relevant to the dissertation topic.
- Critical understanding of theories, concepts and the practice of development interventions.
- Detailed knowledge of the case study examined.
- Ability to critically evaluate and analyse the empirical evidence employed in the dissertation.
- Critical understanding of the challenges and realities of work in the field of international development.
- Demonstrable skills in data analysis, academic writing and referencing
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Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
Course organiser | Dr Sarah Jane Cooper Knock
Tel:
Email: s.j.cooperknock@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Kate Ferguson
Tel: (0131 6)51 5122
Email: kate.ferguson@ed.ac.uk |
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