Politics & International Studies Thesis

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

480 hours in total

Entry into the Honours degree (Politics and International Studies) or Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) (Politics and International Studies).

Politics and International Studies at undergraduate level

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject involves a supervised thesis of 15 000 words, embodying the results of the student's own research.

On completion of this subject, students will 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.

A thesis of 15 000 words (100%) due in October (students commencing in semester 1) or June (students commencing in semester 2).

Hurdle Requirements - 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.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students will be able to:

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

Students are required to enrol in POLS40020 Politics and International Studies Thesis over two consecutive semesters.