Course syllabus Master’s Thesis, Political Science
Swedish name: Magisteruppsats, statsvetenskap
Course code:
2SS063
Valid from semester:
Spring Term 2022
Education cycle:
Second cycle
Scope:
15.0 credits
Progression:
A1E
Grading scale:
Three-grade scale
Main field of study:
Political Science: Security Studies
Department:
Department of Political Science and Law
Subject:
Political Science
Language of instruction:
The teaching is conducted in English.
Decided by:
Forsknings och utbildningsnämndens kursplaneutskott (KUS)
Decision date:
2022-01-01
Entry requirements
Courses comprising at least 30 higher education credits from the first year of the master's programme, including Politics, Security and Crisis (15 credits) and Methods (15 credits), or equivalent, must have a grade of at least Pass in order to qualify.
Course content and structure
The course consists of independently conducting a well-defined scientific study that has been selected and designed by the student him/herself. The student shall discuss their choices with their supervisor, who serves as a "sounding board". At a final seminar, the work shall be presented in writing in the form of a master's thesis. At the final seminar, the student shall answer questions about their study, and explain and justify their choices, study design and contribution. Moreover, each student shall initiate a discussion about at least one other master's thesis by serving as student reviewer, and shall actively participate in discussions about the theses that are included in their seminar group.
Objectives
Upon completion of the course, the student is expected to be able to:
- based on the current state of research, independently specify in writing a political science problem, delimit the problem, and perform a study relevant to the posed problem
- present an overview of the subject area and in this demonstrate in-depth knowledge within parts of the subject area
- with the help of demonstrated methodological knowledge in the subject, perform a qualified study, including evaluation and analysis of complex empirical and theoretical texts
- present and discuss conclusions that have a clear connection to the problem formulation and purpose and/or questions
- critically and constructively review the scientific theses of others based on accepted social science criteria and good research practice
- defend and discuss the outcome of the scientific choices made during the work on the thesis
- be able to critically discuss their own contribution in relation to the research area, state of knowledge and social context, and in this demonstrate awareness of the possibilities and limitations of science.
Examination formats
Examination
Scope: 15.0
Grading Scale: Fail, Pass, Pass with Distinction
Assessment takes place through assessment of the thesis (results of the independent research assignment) defence of the thesis at the presentation seminar, and serving asstudent reviewer of another thesis. Allseminars are mandatory and require active participation.
The examiner may decide to allow supplementation in order to achieve a passing grade.
The examiner may decide that absence from mandatory seminars may be compensated by submitting a written supplementary assignment.
Unless special circumstances exist, the student is only entitled to supervision for the thesiscourse during the semester in which it is held during the regular programme time. This meansthat the thesisshall be written and supervision provided during the spring semester that immediately follows registration in the programme, if the student is writing a master's thesis (15 credits). If the student returns and wishes to take the thesiscourse during a latercourse instance, supervision is only given is resources permit. This rule does not apply to any student who has been granted approved leave from studies.
Grading
Grades are set according to a three-grade scale: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass(G) and Fail (U).
To earn the grade Pass with Distinction, the student must actively participate in mandatory seminars, including defence of their independent work, serving asstudent reviewer of another thesis, and earning the grade Pass with Distinction on the final written assignment. To earn the grade Pass, the student must actively participate in mandatory seminars, including defence of their independent work, serving asstudent reviewer of another thesis, and earning the grade Pass on the final written assignment.
Grading criteria are specified in the course description.
Restrictions in Number of Examinations
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
Scope: 15.0
Grading Scale: Fail, Pass, Pass with Distinction
Assessment takes place through assessment of the thesis (results of the independent research assignment) defence of the thesis at the presentation seminar, and serving asstudent reviewer of another thesis. Allseminars are mandatory and require active participation.
The examiner may decide to allow supplementation in order to achieve a passing grade.
The examiner may decide that absence from mandatory seminars may be compensated by submitting a written supplementary assignment.
Unless special circumstances exist, the student is only entitled to supervision for the thesiscourse during the semester in which it is held during the regular programme time. This meansthat the thesisshall be written and supervision provided during the spring semester that immediately follows registration in the programme, if the student is writing a master's thesis (15 credits). If the student returns and wishes to take the thesiscourse during a latercourse instance, supervision is only given is resources permit. This rule does not apply to any student who has been granted approved leave from studies.
Grading
Grades are set according to a three-grade scale: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass(G) and Fail (U).
To earn the grade Pass with Distinction, the student must actively participate in mandatory seminars, including defence of their independent work, serving asstudent reviewer of another thesis, and earning the grade Pass with Distinction on the final written assignment. To earn the grade Pass, the student must actively participate in mandatory seminars, including defence of their independent work, serving asstudent reviewer of another thesis, and earning the grade Pass on the final written assignment.
Grading criteria are specified in the course description.
Restrictions in Number of Examinations
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
Transitional provisions
When a course is no longer provided or when the content of a course has been significantly altered, the student has the right to be examined in accordance with this course syllabus twice per academic year over a period of two years.
Other regulations
The course cannot be part of a degree with another course whose content matches the content of this course in whole or in part.
The course is given within the Master's Programme in Politics and War.
The course is given in English.
This is an edited version of the syllabus, created to transfer the original to the education database Ladok education planning. For originals, refer to the archive.
The course is given within the Master's Programme in Politics and War.
- On completion of the course, an evaluation will be conducted under the auspices of the course director and will serve as the basis for any changes to the course.
- If a student has a decision from the Swedish Defense University on special educational support due to a disability, the examiner may decide on alternative forms of examination for the student.
The course is given in English.
This is an edited version of the syllabus, created to transfer the original to the education database Ladok education planning. For originals, refer to the archive.