MRes Political Economy

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University of Essex, Colchester Campus

Comments about MRes Political Economy - At the institution - Colchester - Essex

• Objectives
  To provide specific knowledge about theories and empirical evidence relating to issues in political economy, public choice theory and at least one sub-field of economics; To develop a knowledge of the sources and analysis of different kinds of data (quantitative, qualitative, official statistics, documents, original texts); To equip students with the ability to evaluate theoretical claims in the light of appropriate empirical evidence; To develop a capacity for independent research, grounded in the discipline and employing primary (quantitative or qualitative) data; To prepare students to undertake doctoral research in the field of political economy; To equip students with a comprehensive knowledge of research designs; To endow students with advanced skills in academic essay writing; To supply students with an excellent working knowledge of how to get published in respected journals; To provide a solid understanding of the interplay between methods, theories and evidence.
• Entry requirements
  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.
• Academic title
  MRes Political Economy
• Course description
  
  Course Description
  MRes Political Economy provides students with an opportunity to study both politics and economics at graduate level. Core modules in international political economy seek to link together the different themes pursued in the two disciplines by focusing on current analysis of the crisis of the global economy and politics.
  
  Teaching and Assessment Methods
   
  A: Knowledge and Understanding
      Learning Outcomes
      A1 : Advanced knowledge of different modes of explanation and theoretical perspectives in political economy or related fields at an appropriate level.
      A2 : Understanding of the main quantitative methods used in political analysis.
      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.
  
      Teaching Methods
      A1-5 Lectures, participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, writing essays and dissertation, oral and written feedback on essays.
  
      A1 specifically in GV907 Rational Choice Theories of Politics, GV901: Advanced Theories and Methods in Political Research and optional course.
  
      A2 specifically in GV900 Political Explanation and GV914: Research Design.
  
      A3 specifically in GV900, GV901, GV907 and in supervision of individual dissertations.
  
      A4 specifically in GV901: Advanced Theories and Methods in political Research.
  
      A5 specifically in independent learning and GV914: Research Design..
  
      Assessment Methods
      Government taught courses assessed 50/50 by continuous assessment through written assignments and essays, and three-hour closed examinations at end of course.
  
  
      Economics options, if taken, are assessed in various ways including exam only, and term-paper + exam.
  
  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
      B1-8. 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
  
      B8 especially in supervised dissertation.
  
      Assessment Methods
      B1-8. Written assignments and essays, 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
      C1-6. Participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, individual guidance for essays, individual supervision of dissertations, oral and written feedback on class presentations and essays.
  
      Assessment Methods
      C1-6. Written assignments and essays, closed examinations, supervised dissertation.
  
      C1 especially in dissertation.
  
      C3-6 specifically in essays and dissertation.
  
      C2 essays, examinations, and dissertation.
  
  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 : Knowledge of different modes of explanation and theoretical perspectives in political science and political theory at an appropriate level.
      D6 : Positive response to feedback and criticism.
  
      Teaching Methods
      D1-4. Participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, written assignments and essays, dissertation.
  
      D3 specifically in GV900 Political Explanation, GV914: Research Design e and GV907: Rational Choice Theories of Politics.
  
      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.

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