Students

POIR903 – International Relations Research Project

2018 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Sung-Young Kim
Contact via sungyoung.kim@mq.edu.au
Australian Hearing Hub (AHH) Building, Level 2
TBA
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
POIR901 and IRPG841 and admission to (MIntRel or MIntCommMIntRel or MIntBusMIntRel or MTransInterMIntRel or MPPPMIntRel)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This research-based unit requires the completion of a dissertation of approximately 5000 words in one semester on a topic within the scope of international relations. The research topic is chosen by the student but must be approved by the convenor as suitable for an MIR dissertation and for which supervision is available within the Department.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Acquisition of the abilities to plan, design and execute self-directed research on a topic in the field of International Relations
  • The extension and enhancement of knowledge and skills in the application of relevant concepts, theories and methodologies
  • The capacity to analyse, evaluate and synthesize scholarly evidence
  • The ability to effectively communicate academic arguments

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Research Proposal 10% No 5pm Friday 17 August 2018
Research Essay/Dissertation 90% No 5pm Friday 9 November 2018

Research Proposal

Due: 5pm Friday 17 August 2018
Weighting: 10%

An 800 word project proposal (including title). The proposal should include:

  • A specific core research question, and sub-questions that need to be answered
  • A preliminary argument/hypothesis in relation to the problems/issues you intend to address (i.e. the anticipated answers to the research questions you have identified above)
  • A justification of the research question: why is this question important or significant?
  • Research Methodology: How do you intend to address the research problem? What kinds of source material will you rely upon? 
  • Sources: Identify at least four sources that appear key to your research and identify why the author's approach/analysis is significant to your research
  • A provisional chapter outline, including a few sentences on what you envisage will be included. 
  • A schedule of dates by which components of your research will be completed (based on your chapter outline). You should be working towards having a complete first draft of your thesis at least two weeks before the due date.
  • Bibliography: A list of at least 10 sources that you intend to rely upon (not included in the word count).

Your chosen topic can be drawn from a unit you have studied before and may represent your continuing concern with issues that you feel you did not address to a satisfactory conclusion in that unit. However, your essay must be new and original and cannot reproduce work done before. Significant penalties up to and including failure in the unit will result from the resubmission of previous work.

 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Acquisition of the abilities to plan, design and execute self-directed research on a topic in the field of International Relations
  • The extension and enhancement of knowledge and skills in the application of relevant concepts, theories and methodologies
  • The capacity to analyse, evaluate and synthesize scholarly evidence
  • The ability to effectively communicate academic arguments

Research Essay/Dissertation

Due: 5pm Friday 9 November 2018
Weighting: 90%

This unit is principally an exercise in independent research. The main substantive task is to complete a piece of formal academic writing of 5000 words (including footnotes but excluding the bibliography) - a research paper or 'dissertation'. It should specify a clear research question, demonstrate command of the topic, provide some originality in its analysis, and present a coherent and supported scholarly argument.

Your dissertation should include:

  • title page
  • plagiarism (academic honesty) declaration
  • abstract (excluded from the word count)
  • table of contents indicating section or chapter headings
  • A central research question
  • main text
  • bibliography
  • page numbers

More information will be provided as the semester progresses. All assignments should be submitted electronically using the Turnitin assignment link on the unit's ilearn website. 

A grade criteria and marking rubric can be found on the ilearn website for the unit. Read this carefully before completing your essay. 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Acquisition of the abilities to plan, design and execute self-directed research on a topic in the field of International Relations
  • The extension and enhancement of knowledge and skills in the application of relevant concepts, theories and methodologies
  • The capacity to analyse, evaluate and synthesize scholarly evidence
  • The ability to effectively communicate academic arguments

Delivery and Resources

This course is taught with four workshops held on Fridays at 12-1pm at 4 Western Rd - 312 Tutorial Rm. We will hold these group meetings during first half of the semester and one-one-one consultations with the Unit Convenor will be available throughout the semester during weeks 5-6 and 8-12 through prior agreement with Dr Kim.  

Unit Schedule

Week

Workshop Date

Topic

Assessment

1

3 August

Workshop 1: Managing a research project and writing milestones

 

 

2

10 August

Workshop 2: Presenting research plans

 

3

17 August

 

First writing milestone: 800-word Research Plan due 5pm Fri 17 August

4

24 August

Workshop 3: How to structure a research essay/dissertation

 

5

31 August

Optional: one on one meeting with unit convenor

 

6

7 September

 

7

14 September

Workshop 4: Presenting your literature review and preliminary argument

Second writing milestone (but non-assessed): Literature Review

2 WEEK MID-SEMESTER RECESS

 

8

5 October

 

Third writing milestone (but non-assessed): First Full Draft of Research Essay/Dissertation

9

12 October

Optional: one on one meeting with unit convenor

 

10

19 October

 

11

26 October

 

12

2 November

 

13

9 November

 

Final writing milestone: Research Essay/Dissertation due 5pm Fri 9 Nov

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism has become an increasing problem in universities. The convenor of this course finds plagiarism in all its forms offensive and will pursue any plagiarism committed by students in this course and will apply appropriate penalties. Plagiarism is essentially a form of cheating, which provides those students with an unfair advantage to the rest of the student body, and devalues the MIR degree. The Department and the Faculty take plagiarism very seriously, with penalties escalating from mark deductions, zero grades for particular assignments, zero grades for the course as a whole, and in serious cases, expulsion from the degree and the university.

Both the research proposal and final dissertation paper will be automatically screened through Turnitin (anti-plagiarism software).

Extensions

Any student seeking an extension of time to submit their dissertation or research proposal must, except in extraordinary circumstances, submit to the Convenor (or have submitted on their behalf) a request in writing and supportive documentary evidence prior to the due date. Extensions will not be given other than in exceptional cases of illness. In such cases, a certificate signed by a medical practitioner must be submitted as supportive documentary evidence.

In extraordinary circumstances where a written request for an extension cannot be submitted, an application for an extension can be sought verbally. However, in such cases, any extension granted will be subject to the student subsequently submitting such documentary evidence as is deemed appropriate by the Convenor. If an extension is sought due to the death of a family member, proof must be provided in the form of a death certificate.

Extensions beyond one week are subject to special consideration. The policy for this is detailed under Policy and Procedures under 'Disruption to Studies Policy'.

Whilst we do understand that many or most students support themselves through paid employment, extensions cannot be granted on this basis alone. Students must manage their time and workloads accordingly. Essay topics will be given to students by the second week of semester leaving ample time for essay preparation. Meeting deadlines for assignments is an important skill, and is expected in most jobs. Accordingly, the penalties for late submission are high.

Penalties for Late Submission

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 2 marks out of a total of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Acquisition of the abilities to plan, design and execute self-directed research on a topic in the field of International Relations
  • The extension and enhancement of knowledge and skills in the application of relevant concepts, theories and methodologies
  • The ability to effectively communicate academic arguments

Assessment tasks

  • Research Proposal
  • Research Essay/Dissertation

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Acquisition of the abilities to plan, design and execute self-directed research on a topic in the field of International Relations
  • The extension and enhancement of knowledge and skills in the application of relevant concepts, theories and methodologies
  • The capacity to analyse, evaluate and synthesize scholarly evidence
  • The ability to effectively communicate academic arguments

Assessment tasks

  • Research Proposal
  • Research Essay/Dissertation

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Acquisition of the abilities to plan, design and execute self-directed research on a topic in the field of International Relations
  • The extension and enhancement of knowledge and skills in the application of relevant concepts, theories and methodologies
  • The capacity to analyse, evaluate and synthesize scholarly evidence
  • The ability to effectively communicate academic arguments

Assessment tasks

  • Research Proposal
  • Research Essay/Dissertation

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Acquisition of the abilities to plan, design and execute self-directed research on a topic in the field of International Relations
  • The extension and enhancement of knowledge and skills in the application of relevant concepts, theories and methodologies
  • The capacity to analyse, evaluate and synthesize scholarly evidence
  • The ability to effectively communicate academic arguments

Assessment tasks

  • Research Proposal
  • Research Essay/Dissertation

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Acquisition of the abilities to plan, design and execute self-directed research on a topic in the field of International Relations
  • The extension and enhancement of knowledge and skills in the application of relevant concepts, theories and methodologies
  • The ability to effectively communicate academic arguments

Assessment tasks

  • Research Proposal
  • Research Essay/Dissertation