20.00 credits
Q1 and Q2
This learning unit is not open to incoming exchange students!
Language
French
Prerequisites
The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
Main themes
The seminar will consist of two blocks of sessions over the year. It will provide support to students in completing their end-of-course assignments, from defining a research topic to drafting their thesis.
The following issues will be addressed:
- general methodology of social science research; defining and tackling a research topic
- use of traditional and electronic resource materials
- research ethics, particularly in relation to the advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI)
- techniques for writing academic papers.
The following issues will be addressed:
- general methodology of social science research; defining and tackling a research topic
- use of traditional and electronic resource materials
- research ethics, particularly in relation to the advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI)
- techniques for writing academic papers.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
This seminar has three objectives. Firstly, it aims to introduce students to the methodological aspects of completing a master's thesis. By the end of the seminar, students should be able to apply the skills necessary to define a research topic and to decide how to tackle this topic in their end of course assignment. Secondly, the seminar gives an introduction to the research and critical analysis of European information. It aims to provide specific know-how in researching the type of documentation needed for writing their thesis. Thirdly and lastly, the seminar deals with ethical issues in social science research. Students will be introduced to and reminded of the problem of plagiarism, as well as the rules and principles applicable to dissertation writing in the context of the advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI), and other writing and/or translation aids. The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”. |
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Teaching methods
The second block will involve intensive sessions presenting and discussing draft theses, theoretical or conceptual issues, and the research strategies followed by the students. These sessions are intended to encourage interaction between students and teacher, but also among students. They aim to teach a critical and self-critical approach. Presentations and discussions will take place in French or English.
Evaluation methods
During the second annual exam session, students will only be assessed on their end-of-course dissertation. Assessment of the dissertation will include a 'defence' of the dissertation, with the dissertation supervisor and a rapporteur.
Bibliography
Beaud, Michel, L'art de la thèse, Paris, La Découverte, Coll. Repères, 2006. Berthelot, Jean-Michel, L'emprise du vrai. Connaissance scientifique et modernité, Paris, PUF, 2008. Box-Steffensmeier, Janet M., Brady, Henry E., Collier, David (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Political Methodology, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2008. Bryman, Alan, Social Research Methods (fourth edition), Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2012. Coman, Tamona, et al., Méthodes de la science politique. De la question de départ à l'analyse des données, Bruxelles, De Boeck, 2016. Harrison, Lisa, Startin, Nicholas, Political Research: An Introduction, London, Routledge, 2001. Lenoble-Pinson, Michèle, La rédaction scientifique, Bruxelles, De Boeck et Larcier, 1996. Marsh, David, Stoker, Gerry Stoker (eds), Theory and Methods in Political Science, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2010. Meyer, Bernard, Maîtriser l'argumentation, Paris, Armand Collin, 2004. Quivy, Raymond, Van Campenhoudt, Luc, Manuel de recherches en sciences sociales, Paris, Dunod, 2006. Rosamond, Ben, Theories of European Integration, Palgrave MacMillan, 2000. Saurugger, Sabine, Théories et concepts de l'intégration européenne, Paris, Presses de Science Po, 2009. Van Campenhoudt, Luc, Introduction à l'analyse des phénomènes sociaux, Paris, Dunod, 2007. Kellstedt, Paul M., Whitten, Guy D., The fundamentals of political science research, Second edition, Cambridge, Cambridge university press, 2013. Burnham, Peter (et al.), Research methods in politics, Second edition, Basingstoke, Palgrave MacMillan, 2008.
Faculty or entity
EURO
