Mentor's Seminar "Advanced Theory and Methods Training in Political Science"

2023/2024

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

3

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

Department of Political Science and International Affairs

Course type:

Compulsory course

When:

1 year, 1-4 module

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This mentor’s seminar will help students of the educational trajectory “Advanced Theory and Methods” to design and follow their individual curricula. It will provide organizational space and individualized support for formulating key learning outcomes in accordance with the trajectory’s focus and individual learning outcomes in order to better reflect career-related needs of each student. The mentor will be guiding students through the selection of courses and helping them in identifying potential research topics and suitable supervisors for term paper and MA thesis.

Learning Objectives

• To help students of the educational trajectory “Advanced Theory and Methods” to design and follow their individual curricula.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• is able to achieve individual learning outcomes
• is able to achieve key learning outcomes
• is able to formulate key individual learning outcomes
• is able to identify appropriate topics for individual research work, to formulate research goals and tasks and to produce a suitable planning
• knows how to build a career-related educational trajectory
• understands key learning outcomes

Course Contents

• Introduction. Trajectory Overview. Key Learning Outcomes. Individual Learning Outcomes.
• Research work. Term paper and MA thesis. Advice on research supervision.
• Monitoring of progress. Adjustments and further planning.
• Individual feedback and evaluation.

Assessment Elements

• List of individual learning outcomes
  Each student will prepare - in consultation with the mentor - a list of individual learning outcomes to be achieved as a result of studies within the given trajectory. The submission date will be announced by the mentor during module 1.
• Interim reporting 2
  Each student will report to the mentor - both orally and in writing (500-1000 words) on their interim achievements in the trajectory. The written report should be submitted to the mentor via email by the start of the exam week in module 4.
• Thesis planning
  Each student will submit to the mentor thesis planning report (containing topic, aim(s), tasks, annotated bibliography). The report should be submitted to the mentor via email by December 10.
• Interim reporting 4
• Interim reporting 3
• List of individual learning outcomes
• Term paper planning
  Each student will submit to the mentor their term paper planning report (containing topic, aim(s), tasks, annotated bibliography). The report should be submitted to the mentor via email by March 31.
• Interim reporting 1
  Each student will report to the mentor - both orally and in writing (500-1000 words) on their interim achievements in the trajectory. The written report should be submitted to the mentor via email by the start of the exam week in module 2.

Interim Assessment

• 2023/2024 2nd module
  0.5 * Interim reporting 1 + 0.5 * Interim reporting 1 + 0.5 * List of individual learning outcomes + 0.5 * List of individual learning outcomes
• 2023/2024 4th module
  0.5 * Interim reporting 2 + 0.5 * Interim reporting 2 + 0.5 * Term paper planning + 0.5 * Term paper planning
• 2024/2025 2nd module
  0.5 * List of individual learning outcomes + 0.5 * List of individual learning outcomes + 0.5 * Thesis planning + 0.5 * Thesis planning
• 2024/2025 3rd module
  0.5 * Interim reporting 3 + 0.5 * Interim reporting 3 + 0.5 * Interim reporting 4 + 0.5 * Interim reporting 4

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Eco, U., Farina, G., & Mongiat Farina, C. (2015). How to Write a Thesis. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=963778
• Luigi Curini, & Robert Franzese. (2020). The SAGE Handbook of Research Methods in Political Science and International Relations. SAGE Publications Ltd.
• Ostergard, R. L., & Gordon Fisher, S. B. (2017). Kickstarting Your Academic Career : Skills to Succeed in the Social Sciences. University of Toronto Press, Higher Education Division.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Ştefuriuc, I. (2009). Introduction: Building an Academic Profile – Considerations for Graduate Students Embarking on an Academic Career in Political Science in Europe. European Political Science, 8(2), 138–142. https://doi.org/10.1057/eps.2009.6
• Stenken, J. A., & Zajicek, A. M. (2010). The importance of asking, mentoring and building networks for academic career success - a personal and social science perspective. Analytical & Bioanalytical Chemistry, 396(2), 541–546. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-009-3275-x

Authors

• SCHERBAK ANDREY NIKOLAEVICH