| CODE | DST5005 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Dissertation | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 30 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Diplomatic Studies | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The dissertation is a compulsory element of the Master of Arts in Diplomatic Studies. It must be an original piece of research done by the student and must be 25,000 words long. The subject must fall within one of the following areas of study: International Relations, International History, International Law, International Economics, and Diplomacy. The student shall present a dissertation proposal by not later than the beginning of the second semester, and the topic must be approved by the Board of Studies which shall assign a supervisor. The dissertation must be submitted for examination by the end of August. Study-Unit Aims: - Provide the students with an in-depth specialized understanding of a study area of their choice; - Provide the students with the skills necessary to apply methodological tools and methods to a study area of their choice; - Enable the students to produce a coherent and original piece of research. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Provide the students with in-depth knowledge of a study area of their choice; - Critically interpret literature in a study area of their choice. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Identify a research question; - Obtain practical experience of the research process and research skills; - Select different methodologies and methods in addressing the research question; - Collect and utilize primary data and secondary data in relation to the research question; - Analyse and interpret data relating to the research question; - Write a coherent a dissertation based on the research question and study area choice. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: All texts are available at MEDAC Library - Anderson, J., & Poole, M. (2002). Assignment and Thesis Writing (4th ed.). Wiley. - Levin, P. (2005). Excellent Dissertations! Open University Press. - Mounsey, C. (2002). Essays and Dissertations. Oxford University Press. - O’Collins, G. (2011). A Short Guide to Writing a Thesis. ATF Press. - Strunk, W., & White, E.B. (1999). The Elements of Style (4th ed.). Pearson. - Turabian, K.L. (2018). A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. (9th ed.). University of Chicago Press. - Wisker, G. (2007). The Postgraduate Research Handbook. Palgrave. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Dissertation | ||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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