GV390     
Government Dissertation Option

This information is for the 2018/19 session.

Teacher responsible

Prof Michael Bruter

Availability

This course is available on the BSc in Government, BSc in Government and Economics, BSc in Government and History, BSc in Politics, BSc in Politics and Economics, BSc in Politics and History, BSc in Politics and International Relations and BSc in Politics and Philosophy. This course is not available as an outside option nor to General Course students.

This course may be taken only in the third year. A BSc Government and History student cannot choose both HY300 and GV390; a BSc Politics and Philosophy student cannot choose both GV390 and PH399; and a BSc Politics and International Relations student cannot choose both GV390 and IR398.

Course content

A dissertation of not more than 10,000 words on a topic to be approved by a proposed dissertation advisor and the Course Convenor. The topic should be chosen from any area within the field covered by the degree course and supported by a member of the academic staff from the Government Department willing to act as dissertation advisor. Following the dissertation information session organised by the Department in the second year of the students’ curriculum, candidates should approach their tutor during the Lent Term or Summer Term of their second year to discuss the possibility of a proposed dissertation topic. After having received approval for a topic by a prospective advisor, students must submit a dissertation form detailing the final title and synopsis/prospectus to the Course Convenor for approval. Dissertation approval forms must be submitted no later than the deadline. Please note that any change from what was approved in the dissertation form will require the approval of the dissertation supervisor.

In 2018-19 the deadline for submitting Dissertation Approval Forms will be Friday 12th October 2018.

Teaching

4 hours and 30 minutes of seminars in the MT. 4 hours and 30 minutes of seminars in the LT.

Six seminars split between the Michaelmas Term and Lent Term as well as individual supervision. Dissertation advisors can be expected to offer advice on reading and guidance on the organisation of the dissertation; they may also read and comment on a draft outline of up to 2,000 words. Tutors or other teachers are not permitted to read or comment on a draft of the whole dissertation. The number of individual meetings with the students will be agreed with the supervisor but should be at least once per term in the student’s third year. It should be stressed that no member of staff is under an obligation to agree to supervise any proposed dissertation

Assessment

Dissertation (100%, 10000 words).

Student performance results

(2015/16 - 2017/18 combined)

Classification % of students
First 41.6
2:1 53.9
2:2 4.5
Third 0
Fail 0

Key facts

Department: Government

Total students 2017/18: 36

Average class size 2017/18: 36

Capped 2017/18: No

Value: One Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

PDAM skills

  • Leadership
  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills