UCD School of Politics and International Relations Scoil na Polaitíochta agus Gnóthaí Idirnáisiúnta UCD

Applications for Advanced Seminar in Politics 2022-23

The Advanced Seminar in Politics 1 (POL30860) and 2 (POL30870) is a year-long course where staff members of the School of Politics and International Relations introduce students to cutting edge research in the field. During the second half of the course, students write a minor thesis, under the supervision of a staff member in the school. The module has limited capacity and entry is competitive. Registration for this course is done manually.

To be eligible to take this course, you must be a final year student in 2022-23, who has completed Core Level 2 Politics modules. Students with a GPA of 3.60 and above (across all modules or across SPIRe modules only) will be eligible for consideration.

The deadline for submission is Friday 24th June 2022. You must include grades in your application that will be released on 17th of June. 

Google Application Form (Log onto UCD Connect Required)

 

N.B. The following is for your reference only. These are the module descriptions and the learning outcomes from the previous year.

Module Descriptions

POL30860 Advanced Seminar in Politics 1, Autumn
Weekly seminars will take place on Wednesdays 4-6pm (TBC).
 
POL30870 Advanced Seminar in Politics 2, Spring
There will be no weekly lectures or seminars. Students will meet with their supervisor individually to discuss progress.


Introduction:

This two-trimester module gives advanced undergraduate students the background, training and supervision needed to engage in a substantial piece of research. Several members of staff of the School of Politics and International Relations will provide foundational background and methodology lectures in their various fields of expertise. Students will then produce a literature review and a research proposal outlining a topic they wish to research further. With supervision, students will submit a thesis of no more than 7,500 words at the end of the Spring trimester. Participation in this module involves a large amount of independent work and the self-discipline and the initiative required to do substantial research.
 

Course structure:

This is a year-long course divided into two parts (POL30860 and POL30870). POL30860 carries 5 credits while POL30870 carries 15 credits. POL30860 prepares students for undertaking their own research by demonstrating how UCD SPIRe faculty work towards publishing academic work. POL30870 involves students writing their own thesis. In both parts of the module, the student interacts with a supervisor, who provides guidance on how to prepare and undertake an original research project.
 

Learning outcomes:

  • How to do advanced research in Politics and International Relations, involving sustained argument and a good understanding of the relevant literature and data.
  • How to formulate a research proposal.
  • The background information and methodological techniques required to do advanced research.
  • The skills and discipline required to do advanced, independent research.