Description
Objective: 1. To deepen the understanding of theories and methods related to research on the theme of the Master Specialisation.
Objective: 2. Applying them to a specific topic as part of the student’s Master thesis project.
Content:
Students choose (one of) the thesis seminar(s) offered within their specialisation. It is strongly recommended that students start thinking about the topic of their thesis before the start of the classes. Attendance is compulsory for all classes. Detailed information about the study material and the writing process can be found on Blackboard.
General Introduction Meeting
On Wednesday 6 December 2017 there will be a general introduction meeting from 13.00-14.00h in room 3.16 at Wijnhaven, in which the instructors will explain and discuss the general thesis seminar procedures and expectations and students can ask questions about the thesis seminars.
Additional Information
Please note that for some seminars there will be no additional substantive readings than the ones discussed in the courses they build on.
Theme 01: International Organizations and Post-Cold War Challenges - O. Blarel (act. code 1921)
This Thesis seminar will guide students through the process of designing and carrying out an academic research project relating to the study of the adaptation of international organizations during the last 25 years to the post-Cold war challenges. Research projects should analyse policies, ideas, institutions, and decision-making processes revolving around the rise of the 'Global South'; regionalisation of identity, trade, political and security issues; the emergence of transnational actors; or the institutional responses to new collective threats - (cyber)terrorism, climate change, migration, etc. The seminar is open to a variety of research methods, although there will be a focus on qualitative research methods and designs.
Theme 02: International Institutions and Security Governance - van Willigen (act. code 18510)
The thesis seminar International Organization builds on the knowledge and skills acquired through the preceding courses in the MSc-specialization International Organization. Students are invited to propose theoretically informed research projects which study the politics, policies and decision-making processes of international institutions in the field of international security. Projects may involve international governmental organizations and policies such as NATO, the EU’s foreign and security policy, the UN’s collective security architecture, or the OSCE, but also non-governmental organizations and networks such as the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. While there will be a focus on qualitative research design, the seminar is open to a variety of research methods.
Registration
Registration in uSis for one thesis seminar is possible from Monday 18 December 2017 10.00 hrs until 28 December 10.00 hrs. Placement is on a first come first served basis and subject to availability. If more than 12 students prefer to be in a thesis seminar students will be placed on a waiting list. Please note that Theme 02 has a maximum capacity of 8 students. Registration is open for students that started their Master in one of the Political Science specialisations, in September 2017. All other students should contact the exam committee to request permission to take this thesis seminar. Students can take the thesis seminar only once in their academic year.
Assessment method
Research Proposal
The research proposal includes a problem statement, theoretical foundation, conceptualization as well as a sound explanation of the methods and techniques for data collection and analysis.The proposal must be approved by the supervisor and a second reader. The second reader will be designated by the Director of Studies. Please note that teachers are not obliged to provide thesis supervision if the proposal is not approved.
Master Thesis
The MSc thesis needs to comply with high standards of academic research. The thesis must be between 8.000 and 10.000 words, including tables, footnotes and bibliography. The thesis evaluation form with the evaluation criteria will be published on Blackboard.
Students that drop or fail the course have to retake the complete thesis seminar (in the 2nd semester of the next academic year). Students should contact the Exam Committee if they are unable to complete the master thesis by the deadline due to circumstances beyond their control.
Time Table MSc Thesis Seminar Spring semester 2017/2018
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