MA Ideology and Discourse Analysis - Colchester - Essex - University of Essex, Colchester Campus - I31493

Entry Qualifications BA degree of Upper Second class standard or above. For students whose native language is not English, the usual minimum language entry requirement is either an IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 88; Cambridge Proficiency of English C or above.

MA Ideology and Discourse Analysis

Course Description
The MA in Ideology and Discourse Analysis provides students with the specialised knowledge of theoretical approaches at the forefront of contemporary modes of political and ideological analysis, and enables students to deploy the insights discussed at a theoretical level to analyse substantive political cases.

Modules and Options

The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.

Stage 1

    BRITISH POLITICAL PARTIES
    COMPARATIVE POLITICS OF CENTRAL EUROPE
    COMPARATIVE POLITICS OF HUMAN RIGHTS
    Compulsory: CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THEORY
    Compulsory: RESEARCH SEMINAR IN POLITICAL THEORY AND METHODS
    CONTEMPORARY THEORIES OF JUSTICE
    Core: DISSERTATION - MA SCHEMES
    Core: IDEOLOGY AND POLITICAL DISCOURSE
    DEMOCRACY BEYOND THE NATION STATE? THE CASE OF EUROPE
    DEMOCRACY, CITIZENSHIP AND CONSTITUTIONS
    EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
    EUROPEAN POLITICS
    GLOBAL AND COMPARATIVE POLITICS
    GLOBALISATION AND WORLD POLITICS: APPROACHES, ORIGINS, TRENDS
    HUMAN RIGHTS AND POLITICAL THEORY
    HUMAN RIGHTS IN POST-COMMUNIST DEMOCRACIES
    INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS
    INTERNATIONAL SECURITY STUDIES
    POLITICAL BEHAVIOUR
    POLITICAL EXPLANATION
    POLITICAL PRINCIPLES, HUMAN RIGHTS AND PUBLIC POLICY
    POLITICAL THEORY
    POLITICS IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD
    RATIONAL CHOICE THEORIES OF POLITICS
    RULE AND RESISTANCE: POLITICAL THEMES IN LITERATURE AND FILM
    THE ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC OPINION
    THEORIES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Teaching and Assessment Methods

A: Knowledge and Understanding
    Learning Outcomes
    A1 : Advanced knowledge of different modes of explanation and theoretical perspectives in political science at an appropriate level.
    A2 : Understanding the main political science methods for using quantitative and qualitative evidence to support arguments.
    A3 : Critical awareness of the use of evidence in political science.
    A4 : Knowledge of the main research findings, and main developments and debates in one or more sub-disciplinary or area-oriented fields.
    A5 : Systematic knowledge of the relevant sources of information.
    A6 : Systematic knowledge of different modes of explanation and theoretical perspectives in ideology and discourse analysis.
    A7 : Systematic knowledge of philosophical foundations of social science.

    Teaching Methods
    A1-8 Lectures, participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, writing essays and dissertation, oral and written feedback on essays.

    A1 specifically in GV958 Contemporary Political Theory and GV909.

    A2 specifically in GV900 Political Explanation and GV909.

    A3 specifically in GV900, GV909, GV958 and in supervision of individual dissertations.

    A4 specifically in GV909, GV988 and options chosen in consultation with Scheme Director.

    A6 specifically in GV988 Ideology and Political Discourse and GV909.

    A7 specifically in GV909 Research Seminar in Political Theory and Method and GV958.

    Assessment Methods
    Taught modules assessed 50/50 by continuous assessment through written assignments and essays, and three-hour closed examinations at end of course. The Research Seminar (GV909) and GV908: Political Theory and GV988: Ideology and Political Discourse are assessed 100% by continuous assessment through written essays.

B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    B1 : To question received thinking.
    B2 : To develop independent thinking.
    B3 : To muster evidence.
    B4 : To evaluate and analyse evidence.
    B5 : To reason critically.
    B6 : To argue coherently and concisely.
    B7 : To communicate ideas effectively in writing.
    B8 : To carry out independent research.

    Teaching Methods
    B1-7. Participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, individual guidance on researching and writing essays, oral and written feedback on essays, individual interviews and group sessions with Study Skills Officer.

    B4 especially in GV900 Political Explanation and GV909 Research Seminar in Political Theory and Methods.

    B8 especially in supervised dissertation.

    Assessment Methods
    B1-7. Written assignments, essays, dissertation, and written examinations.

    B8 The dissertation.

C: Practical Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    C1 : Organize and structure an extended argument.
    C2 : Use concepts correctly.
    C3 : Compile systematic bibliographies.
    C4 : Provide references according to accepted conventions.
    C5 : Use libraries and IT to access information and scholarly resources.
    C6 : Sift and synthesize complex information.

    Teaching Methods

    Assessment Methods

D: Key Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    D1 : Clear, focused, relevant and effective expression and communication.
    D2 : Access and organise information from a variety of electronic sources.
    D3 : Understand the use of quantitative evidence.
    D4 : To manage projects and timetables. To find, understand and organise information. To work with ideas.
    D5 : Advanced knowledge of different modes of explanation and theoretical perspectives in political economy or related fields at an appropriate level.
    D6 : Positive response to feedback and criticism.

    Teaching Methods
    D1-5. Participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, written assignments and essays, dissertation.

    D4 specifically in scheduling and balancing requirements for four courses taught in parallel.

    D6 specifically in individual guidance on essays, oral and written feedback on essays.

    Assessment Methods
    D1-4. Written assignments and essays, examinations, dissertation

    D6 classroom presentations, written assignments and essays.