Unit information: Dissertation (MSc in Public Policy SNU) in 2022/23

Unit name	Dissertation (MSc in Public Policy SNU)
Unit code	SPOLM0063
Credit points	60
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Phil Sayer
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	None
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one
School/department	School for Policy Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Unit Information

This unit aims to

1. Provide the student with the opportunity to investigate a topic of their own choice (within the broad framework of public policy);
2. Enable students to explore the conceptual and theoretical issues associated with their chosen topic
3. Enable students to further develop critical thinking and policy evaluation skills
4. Enable students to reflect on policy knowledge, experience and research skills already learned through this or other programmes or in the workplace.
5. Enhance the practical and transferable skills of locating and using knowledge and information, conveying ideas in written formal, planning and managing their time.

Your learning on this unit

On successful completion of the unit, the student will demonstrate:

1. An ability to frame a suitable policy focus and identify the policy issue
2. An understanding of the conceptual and theoretical concerns associated with their chosen topic
3. An understanding of, and ability to evaluate different research methodologies to investigate their chosen topic
4. An aptitude to plan and organise and extended piece of written work.
5. An ability to analyse and evaluate a range of data, and draw conclusions which are integrated into wider academic debates.
6. An ability to think critically and reflexively in a sustained piece of written work.

How you will learn

Individual study which will be supported by regular, negotiated academic supervision and 8 weekly lectures in TB2, either online or in person as the situation allows.

How you will be assessed

A Dissertation of 8-10,000 words.

The Dissertation will identify and focus on a particular policy issue chosen by the student, review and evaluate existing literature on the policy issue, explain, reflect on and critically evaluate different theoretical and conceptual frameworks and explain and evaluate different methodologies.

The Dissertation will cover ILOs 1-6.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SPOLM0063).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.