Postgraduate Course: Project-Based Report (MSc Global Environment, Politics and Society) (PGSP11360)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Dissertation |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 60 |
ECTS Credits | 30 |
| Summary | 1. Description
As an alternative to the conventional dissertation, students can apply to complete a project-based report with an NGO, government department, political party, or business for 8 weeks from end April. Students will undertake a research project on an environmental topic linked to the activities of their respective host. The research projects will need to be officially approved by the programme directors, in conjunction with the SPS Placement Coordinator. Students will have one supervisor within the organisation and an academic supervisor in the School.
2. Organisation
Project opportunities are made available on a competitive basis with applications at the start of Semester Two, conditional on securing at least an average of 60% in their first semester course. Students may also set up projects directly (also subject to the 60% rule), subject to a formal process of approval by the programme conveners and the placement coordinator. Recent placements have included Friends of the Earth Scotland, the World Development Movement and the World Resources Institute. |
| Course description |
Not entered
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Block 5 (Sem 2) and beyond |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
600
(
Dissertation/Project Supervision Hours 5,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 12,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
583 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment will be on the basis of:
a) a project diary of maximum 3000 words (20% of final mark)
This involves a fortnightly progress report throughout the placement, sent to the academic supervisor, reflecting both knowledge gained and personal development in the work situation.
b) an analytical report of between 8000 and 12000 words (80% of final mark), including a literature review (maximum 3000 words) which the student should have completed before beginning the placement.
This can take the form of:
- a policy report or briefing paper relevant to the organisation,
- a project report drawing on data collected on behalf of the organisation, or
- a project evaluation report examining a specific project established by the organisation.
It will be marked in SPS according to criteria including
- does the report include a clear definition of the task?
- is the overall report of a high standard and quality?
- has the report demonstrated the use and application of appropriate
¿ methods?
- is the report of value to the host organisation? Has the student demonstrated the report's value to this organisation?
- is the report clearly written and well-presented?
Detailed guidelines for the report (similar to dissertation guidance document) will be provided to participating students. |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Learn to undertake independent work on a topic chosen in conjunction with a host organisation, drawing on knowledge and insights form one or more of the GEPS core disciplinary fields (politics, ethics, sociology).
- Have the opportunity to display and extend the research skills, training and knowledge acquired through their previous coursework and apply them to the agreed project, as well as demonstrating attention to the relevant data analysis, referencing, and bibliographic skills necessary to complete the report.
- Learn to employ relevant knowledge, concepts, and analytical approaches from their chosen field to inform their project report.
- Be able to exercise and consolidate their time-management, task-management, and self-motivational skills in the planning, conduct, and execution of their research.
- Develop and refine their communication and verbal presentational skills.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Elizabeth Bomberg
Tel: (0131 6)50 4248
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Gillian Macdonald
Tel: (0131 6)51 3244
Email: |
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