Module Catalogue 2024/25

POL3048 : Final Year Project: Semester 2

POL3048 : Final Year Project: Semester 2

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Michael Barr
  • Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

The aims of this module are:
• To provide students with the opportunity to engage in an in-depth examination of an issue in Political Systems and Comparative Politics, International Relations, or Political Philosophy for which appropriate supervision is available.
• To provide an opportunity to build on and develop the knowledge and understanding students have gained from other modules in Politics or to explore a new area of study.
• To allow students who do not wish to undertake a Dissertation to conduct a more limited research exercise.

Outline Of Syllabus

Students can choose to write their project from a wide variety of topics and issues for which appropriate supervision is available within the department. The choice of topic can build on an area of expertise established through other Politics modules or students can use a project to explore a subject not covered in course modules. The topic proposed for the project must be approved by the module leader and the project supervisor. The project should be conceived as an exercise in research rather than an extended essay. In choosing a topic, students should bear in mind the space (4000 words) and time available to them and avoid choosing too broad a subject. The project should have a well-defined subject and should address a clearly articulated issue or problem that gives the project purpose and direction. Students will be advised in an initial lecture how to approach the project and to go about refining of their project subject. Each student will have a project advisor.

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module students should have:
• Gained an enhanced knowledge of a specific subject area in political systems and comparative politics.
• Deepened their understanding of this topic, partly through interpretation of the relevant literature and, ideally, by locating their work in a broader academic context.

Intended Skill Outcomes

The development of skills in planning, investigating and report writing

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture12:002:00In-person introductory lecture with module leader
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion1187:00187:00N/A
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials61:006:00Recorded, non-synchronous; personal capture (PCap) videos; annotated readings, etc.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDissertation/project related supervision31:003:00Present in person meetings with supervisors; if in person not possible, synchronous online
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesScheduled on-line contact time21:002:00In-person Q&A Feedback Hour with ML
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The project reflects the emphasis of the module on developing knowledge of a specialist area and in writing a substantial report about it.

Other Additional Teaching Methods: There will be a general meeting at the start of the module in which students will receive overall advice and information on the module and will be asked for the general area of their topic. Videos and annotated readings will assist the student in how to structure their work and deal with issues such as finding sources, methodology, and making an argument.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Report2M100max. 4000 word project report
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The rationale for the assessment by report is that the module is designed for students to research and report on a particular topic.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.