Political Science Thesis

Subject POLS40011 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 18.75
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 02-Mar-2015 to 31-May-2015
Assessment Period End 26-Jun-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 13-Mar-2015
Census Date 31-Mar-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 08-May-2015

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 27-Jul-2015 to 25-Oct-2015
Assessment Period End 20-Nov-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 07-Aug-2015
Census Date 31-Aug-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 25-Sep-2015


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Regular meetings with the supervisor over two consecutive semesters of enrolment
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:

Admission to Political Science Honours or Postgraduate Diploma in Arts.

Corequisites:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Recommended Background Knowledge:

Politics and International Studies at Undergraduate level

Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

To be advised

Subject Overview:

This subject involves a supervised thesis of 12 000 words, embodying the results of the student's own political research.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • demonstrate a specialist understanding of the subject being studied;
  • show advanced skills of analysis pertinent to the subject;
  • show a detailed sense of the theoretical debates in the subject area;
  • demonstrate an ability to undertake critical independent research;
  • show a good capacity to communicate research in written form.
Assessment:

A thesis of 12 000 words, due at the end of the second semester of enrolment.

The following Hurdle Requirements must be met in order for students to be eligible to submit the final Thesis:

1. Supervision: Regular supervisory meetings

2. Topic Proposal Form: To be submitted by the first week of the Semester of thesis enrolment

3. Progress Report: To be submitted half way through the thesis year

4. Thesis Draft: A full draft of the thesis is to be submitted approximately 5 weeks prior to the final thesis submission date.

Final Theses submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day.

Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject students should:

  • be able to conceptualise and plan a substantial project of original research;
  • be able to present material in draft form and engage productively with a supervisor;
  • be able to consolidate and enhance established skills in engaging creatively with a critical field;
  • be able to synthesise critical arguments and debates;
  • be able to test and develop new research methods in relation to ongoing debates;
  • be able to enhance drafting and writing skills, in both a critical and creative manner;
  • be able to manage time and study resources over a sustained period of time.
Notes:

Please note this thesis subject is currently being phased out and is only available to students who commenced their Honours/PD-Arts program prior to 2013. Students wishing to enrol in Honours/PD-Arts from 2013 will need to enrol in a 50 point thesis subject (POLS40020) as per the course requirements for BH-Arts & PD-Arts.

The Political Science thesis is a (pre-2013) compulsory component of the Political Science Honours and Postgraduate Diploma programs. Students completing the Political Science thesis must also complete the February-intensive subject POLS40013 Social Science Research Seminar.

Students are required to enrol in the thesis subject over two consecutive semesters.

Download PDF version.