Description
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 Brightspace.
Course Objectives
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.
General Introduction Meeting
See 'Information and Deadlines' for the time and date of the introduction meeting.
Thesis Seminar Themes:
Theme 101: International Governance (K. Brown)
During this thesis seminar we will investigate how states and international organizations cooperate and conflict in the face of global crises. In addition to substantive discussion of international governance in international relations, we will also cover cutting-edge research designs and quantitative methodologies to incorporate into your thesis. This seminar focuses on issues generally related to global governance, cooperation, and conflict. Specific issues might include: the (in)efficacy of sanctions during armed conflict, the role of the IMF and World Bank during global financial crises, climate mitigation negotiations, US-China competition in sub-Saharan Africa, vote trading in the UN Security Council, bilateral debt-for-nature and debt-for-land swaps, and government deception in financial markets. The focus of this thesis seminar is very broadly defined to allow students who are interested in topics such as international organizations, global financial crises and contagion, and international law (among others) to benefit from working together on their proposals and theses. The emphasis in the literature and methods covered will be on quantitative research, although theses using qualitative methods are welcome.
Theme 102: International Politics of the Global South (Dr. E. Nartok - van der Kist)
This thesis seminar sets out to understand dynamics, challenges, and opportunities faced by countries in the Global South. It examines key themes such as development, conflict, geopolitical shifts, and the role of emerging economies. Students will analyse the historical and contemporary relationships in the Global South, addressing issues like inequality, colonial legacies, gender, climate change, infrastructural investments and South-South and North-South cooperation. Through a combination of disciplinary and interdisciplinary theoretical frameworks, this seminar aims to equip students with deep insights and analytical skills essential to write a master’s thesis on the issues related to the Global South while understanding and engaging with the complexities of global affairs in the 21st century. This seminar is open to a variety of research methods, primarily qualitative and quantitative.
Theme 103: China and World Politics (dr. G. van der Zwan)
This seminar focuses on issues broadly related to China’s rise, foreign policy, and its multifaceted role in global affairs. Specific issues might include: China’s role in the changing world order, global trade, development, security, and governance, China’s foreign policy, influence of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China’s investments in infrastructure development, energy, technology, industrial cooperation, and the Special Economic Zones (SEZs), role of China-led institutions such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the BRICS’ New Development Bank (NDB), China’s multilateral and regional engagements and relations with key actors such as the US, EU, and the Global South, and influence of China on political regimes including democratization, de-democratization, and autocratization in partner countries. In this seminar, students are encouraged to make use of existing conceptual approaches and frameworks to study China’s role in international politics. The focus of this thesis seminar is very broadly defined to allow students who are interested in these topics to benefit from working together on their proposals and theses. The emphasis here will be on quantitative research. However, qualitative research is also welcome.
Theme 104: International Security (Dr. J. Michaels)
This thesis seminar will investigate the subfield of International Relations dealing with the threat, use, and control of organized violence to achieve political objectives. It examines several key themes, including a historiography of the field, contested definitions of security, deterrence and nuclear weapons, the evolution of war and armed conflict in the 20th and 21st centuries, strategy, the role of Alliances, international law and the limits on the use of force, and the impact of changing technology and social norms. Students will be introduced to the key academic debates and questions dominating the field and the various qualitative and quantitative approaches that have been used to address them. They will not only gain familiarity with the key theorists and texts that dominate the field but will also be exposed to other critical and non-Western perspectives. The seminar is designed to ensure students are provided with a wide range of theoretical and methodological approaches to understanding the topic in its historical, contemporary and future contexts.
Registration
See 'Information and Deadlines'
Examination
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 Brightspace.
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.
Timetable
See 'MyTimetable'