SOAS University of London

Department of Politics and International Studies

Final Year Project in Politics

Module Code:
153400053
Credits:
30
FHEQ Level:
6
Taught in:
Full Year
The Final Year Project is a project students undertake on an approved topic within the areas of interest of the department. It usually takes the format of a dissertation, but other formats are possible. The project allows students to engage in independent research on a topic of their choosing under the guidance of an academic supervisor. It is accompanied by a compulsory seminar that provides training and guidance on how to design, research and write/present the project. The seminar runs throughout terms one and two and is intended to be a forum in which students present their ideas and get feedback from peers as well as a forum for support and guidance on how to write an UG dissertation.

Students wishing to undertake a Final Year Project should start planning towards the end of the second term of the preceding year. They must submit a title and a short synopsis (max. 500 words) of the topic to their chosen supervisor and to the FYP convenor for approval by the last Friday of September, prior to the beginning of the academic year. Approval will depend on the feasibility of the proposal and the availability of appropriate supervision. The FYP is currently only open to students who attained a 2.1 average in their second year of study.

Workload

  • 2 hours seminar per week

Scope and syllabus

Term 1
  1. Introduction: What is a FYP?
  2. From Idea to Question
  3. Planning and Designing your Project: Writing a Proposal
  4. Library Resources
  5. Organising the Literature, Finding your Position
  6. Choosing your Approach: Theory and Method
  7. Collecting Data: Practical Questions
  8. Doing Interviews
Term 2
  1. Interpreting your Data/Material
  2. Presenting your Findings: Medium, Format, Structure
  3. Presenting your Findings: Argument
  4. Finalising your Project
  5. Presentations and Discussion
  6. Presentations and Discussion
  7. Presentations and Discussion
  8. Wrap Up

    

Method of assessment

Assessment is 100% coursework

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules