General
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2009-2010 MA PS PROGRAMME, click here.
Master programme Political Science 2008 – 2009
The Master of Arts in Political Science is designed to satisfy students’ desire to understand politics in an ever more internationalised world. By choosing courses carefully, students can emphasise certain sub-disciplines, such as Political Philosophy, Empirical Political Science, Comparative Politics or International Relations.Thanks to their comprehensive knowledge and critical insight in their field of study, graduates are able to formulate key questions in Political Science and to discover whether the current body of knowledge provides answers to these questions.
Aims and Objectives
The programme provides students with a broadly based deepening of the full scope of the discipline and its methods of research. The programme covers important sub-fields of the discipline, including Political Philosophy, Empirical Political Science Research, Political Psychology, Dutch Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Relations. The Leiden Master of Arts programme in Political Science is designed to satisfy students’ desire to understand politics in an ever more internationalised world. Students will also be well prepared for further academic work in Political Science (e.g., a PhD programme) and for a variety of careers in politics and public service, the media, non-profit organisations, and (inter)national business.
The programme provides students with a broadly based deepening of the full scope of the discipline and its methods of research. The programme covers important sub-fields of the discipline, including Political Philosophy, Empirical Political Science Research, Political Psychology, Dutch Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Relations.
The students will acquire knowledge and insight into the state of the art in Political Science, including the current approaches and theories in the main sub-fields and the new insights or paradigms that may replace more traditional concerns. Students examine the current level of scientific advancements and achievements and the frontiers of theoretical knowledge in Political Science. They will also become acquainted with important classical and recently published theoretical studies and the milestones of discrete, empirical discovery in the main sub-fields of Political Science. Students will learn to view theory and theory-testing as an integral part of understanding politics.
Thanks to several courses and the thesis work, students will gain a foundation in the general methods of research employed by political scientists and in traditional and new data collection and analysis techniques. At the end of the programme, the students will also have a strong critical grounding in the core issues relevant to Political Science. Due to their comprehensive knowledge and critical insight into their field of study, the students will be able to formulate key questions in Political Science and to find out whether the existing body of knowledge gives answers to these questions. They can then produce knowledge not just consume it. We also hope that the students learn to appreciate the scientific aspects of the discipline, see how Political Science has evolved over the course of its short scientific life, are convinced of the particular value of focused research that seeks to advance existing theoretical knowledge, and want to continue their study of politics creatively, thoughtfully and with great enthusiasm.
Thesis seminars: Procedure and time table: see below
Conversion courses
The MA Political Science Admission Committee can request that applicants demonstrate competency in five of the nine sub-fields of Political Science. Such competency may be demonstrated by completing a conversion course in the relevant field. The conversion courses will be offered by the Department of Political Science and may be followed along with courses from the regular Master of Arts programme. Each conversion course comprises 3 ECTS (level 300). The conversion courses are not a part of the regular curriculum of the Master of Arts programme. “Schedule “conversion courses”: see below.
Credits
Credit points are specified in ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) points. One credit point equals 28 hours of study, including lectures, reading, writing papers, and preparing for tests and examinations. All graduate courses take 5 or 10 ECTS, the thesis 20 ECTS. Conversion courses take 3 ECTS. The MA Political Science programme totals 60 ECTS points. Students are expected to earn approximately 30 ECTS points per semester and 15 ECTS per block.
More information on grading, graduation and other information can be found on the website of Political Science.
Academic Transcripts
Official transcripts of academic records that are retrieved from the student administration desk on behalf of institutions both in the Netherlands and abroad show an overview of all exam results, including any possible unsatisfactory marks (5 or lower).
Courses
Successful completion of the MA programme involves two compulsory courses (‘State of the Art’ and ‘ Theories and Methods’), three optional seminars and the completion of the MA Thesis seminar.
As for the 3 elective seminars you will have to choose in block 1, 2 and 3: for all three seminars students need to register before 25 August. Registering is possible from Tuesday 12 August 10.00 a.m. till Monday 25 August 16.00 p.m. through U-twist. Please note that seminars have a maximum number of students, so make sure to register in a timely manner.
The thesis seminar project starts in November (date, time and room to be announced). Attendance is required. In this meeting the thesis seminar teachers will tell you about the thesis seminar procedure and the topic of their thesis seminar. Students can register for the thesis seminar of their choice through U-twist (period to be announced).
For more information on U-twist please press here .
In order to register for courses please choose ‘Aanmelden cursussen’.
This information is subject to change. Please check the Political Science website as well as this E-Studyguide regularly before the start of the new academic year.
Thesis seminars
Thesis Seminar Procedure 2008 – 2009
To ensure timely completion of the Master thesis, it is essential for students to follow the steps as described subsequently and as shown in the time table below. Attendance is compulsory in all meetings of the thesis seminar, as well as the introductory meeting on November 21.
Starting early
It is strongly recommended that students start thinking about the topic of their MA thesis at an early stage. The course ‘Political Science: State of the Art’, offered in the first block, helps students focus on a challenging and relevant topic to be explored in the thesis. During the course ‘Political Science: Theories and Methods’, offered in the second block, students will also be trained in how to develop a research proposal and how to plan research for the thesis.
Choosing a thesis seminar
On November 21, the thesis seminar teachers will announce their thesis seminar in an introductory meeting, in order to ensure that students get an early start toward choosing their thesis topic. After that meeting, students are required to choose among the different thesis seminars via U-twist, between November 24 (9:00 a.m.) and December 1, 2008 (9:00 a.m.).
Thesis seminars contain a maximum of 13 students. If a seminar in U-twist has reached its maximum number of students, students will have to register for the seminar of their 2nd preference. In other words, registration into specific thesis seminars is on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis.
Working on the research proposal During the study period in January, students are expected to read the literature for their thesis seminar as announced on Blackboard by their thesis seminar teacher. Students should also individually search for literature and background information concerning their specific research topics. Students must use the assigned literature to start working on their research proposal. Actual supervision starts in February with the start of the thesis seminar classes (block 3).
Thesis seminar classes
Attendance is compulsory in the thesis seminar classes as given during the third block. Participation in the thesis seminar classes, the assignments for these classes, and the final version of the research proposal constitute the ‘practical part’ of the course and are all mandatory. The final grade for the thesis seminar is based on the grade received for the thesis. It is of utmost importance that students attend all seminar classes and have a thesis proposal of high quality and academic standards finalized during this part of the thesis seminar.
Submitting final version of research proposal
The deadline for submitting the final version of the research proposal (through Ephorus and in print) is March 20, 2009. An approved proposal is essential for the start of the thesis-writing process. Although students may continue working on their thesis without a formally approved proposal, they are then doing so ‘on their own’ (thesis seminar teachers are no longer obliged to provide supervision) and without a formally approved plan for their thesis backing up their research. In addition to this, second readers, in the case of non-approved proposals, are not obliged to base their assessments on a research plan as agreed between the student and the first advisor. Once the first supervisor accepts the research proposal (on or before March 27), a copy of the proposal, signed by the supervisor, is submitted to the Political Science secretariat as part of the student’s file of academic records. Once a thesis proposal has been approved, a second thesis supervisor is assigned to the student by the coordinator of the Department’s teaching programs (Dr. F. Meijerink), in cooperation with the director of the Department’s teaching programs. In case the first supervisor does not approve the thesis proposal, a second supervisor is assigned by the coordinator (in cooperation with the director) of the Department’s teaching programs, to co-evaluate the proposal. If a proposal is not completed in time or not approved, a record on this will be deposited in the student’s file of records.
Working on first complete draft of Master thesis
After the approval of the research proposal by their supervisor, students work on their thesis individually for about six weeks. During this phase, students have individual and/or group meetings with their supervisor. A number of meetings and subsequent revisions may be needed before the thesis is considered to meet the required academic standards. The deadline for submitting the first complete draft of the thesis (through Ephorus and in print) is May 8, 2009.
Submitting final version of Master thesis
In the days following submission, until May 18, the thesis seminar teacher will read the first complete draft of the thesis. During this period, students can double-check various aspects of their thesis, such as references, bibliography, data or facts, preparing for last corrections on their work. Between May 18 and June 7, students revise their thesis according to the comments and feedback received by their supervisor. The deadline for submitting the final version of the Master thesis (through Ephorus and in print) is June 8, 2009. Students submit this final version to their supervisor and to their second reader. Students also submit one bound hardcopy to the secretariat. The supervisor and second reader (both members of the departmental faculty) together decide on the final grade for the thesis. This final grade is communicated to students by June 29, 2009.
Final meeting with supervisor
On June 30, students have a final meeting with their supervisor to discuss the thesis and its assessment. The final grade received is submitted to the Political Science secretariat by the first advisor and is added to the student’s file of academic records.
Important!
It is extremely important that students follow the deadlines as indicated here (also see the time table below), since there will be no supervision after June 30. If the thesis (seminar) is not finalized with a passing grade before the end of June, students will have to retake the complete thesis seminar in the 2nd semester of the next academic year.
Time Table MA Thesis Seminar 2008/2009
Friday 21 November 2008, 09.00-11.00 a.m. in Chalet 05
Meeting to introduce the thesis seminars by seminar teachers.
Monday 24 November 2008, 09.00 a.m. until Monday, 1 December 09.00 a.m.
Deadline students register for the thesis seminar through U-twist.
15-19 December 2008
Optional: introduction meeting MA thesis seminar.
January 2009
Students study literature list (announced on Blackboard) and start working on their research proposal.
Monday 2 February 2009
Start of thesis seminar classes and actual supervision (block 3).
Friday 20 March 2009
Deadline students submit revised and final version of research proposal to the seminar teacher.
23-27 March 2009
Final version of research proposal approved by thesis seminar teacher. Second thesis supervisor assigned by the coordinator of the Department’s teaching programs (Dr. Meijerink).
28 March-7 May 2009
Time period devoted to individual work on the thesis, including individual and/or small group meetings.
Friday 8 May 2009
Deadline students submit the first complete draft of their Master thesis.
18 – 20 May 2009
Feedback and comments on first complete draft thesis by supervisor.
21 May – 7 June 2009
Revision of the thesis.
Monday 8 June 2009
Deadline students submit the final version of the Master thesis to the supervisor and the second reader.
Monday 29 June 2009
Supervisor and second reader decide on the grade for the thesis, sign the evaluation report and inform the student about this outcome.
Tuesday 30 June 2009
Final meeting with supervisor.
Requirements
The MA Political Science programme requires the writing of a thesis (20 ECTS points) as the final product of a thesis seminar, in addition to successful completion of the five courses. In general, the number of words of the thesis must be between 16.000 and 20.000, including tables, footnotes and bibliography.
Working on the MA thesis starts with writing a research proposal. The research proposal must include a problem statement, theoretical foundation, conceptualization and, if applicable, operationalization of key variables, and present the methodology and techniques for data collection and analysis.
The MA thesis needs to comply with high standards of academic research and writing. It is important that the thesis is consistent, clear and original in the sense of constituting an own contribution to ongoing research. In various courses offered in this programme, students learn how to conduct research and how to write academic papers. Among the criteria used to evaluate the thesis are its originality, consistency, academic (and, if applicable, societal) relevance, the choice of an adequate theoretical framework, the correct application of analytical methods, the quality of the data collection, and the presentation of the text.
Conversion courses
Conversion Courses Master of Arts in Political Science 2008 – 2009
The MA Political Science Admission Committee request that applicants demonstrate competency in five of the nine sub-fields of Political Science. Such competency may be demonstrated by completing a conversion course in the relevant field. The conversion courses will be offered by the Department of Political Science and may be followed along with courses from the regular Master of Arts programme. Each conversion course comprises 3 ECTS (level 300). The conversion courses are not a part of the regular curriculum of the Master of Arts programme.