Discipline seminar - International Relations (II year) 1600-SZD-SEMII-SM
The aim of the course is to prepare doctoral students to apply theoretical and methodological knowledge in practice in preparing a doctoral dissertation and to provide preliminary preparation for the doctoral defense. The following topics will be addressed during the seminar:
a) An overview of the main methodological challenges in preparing a doctoral dissertation and scientific publications – Justification for the choice of research topic and problem, theory, and methods; How to prepare Introductions and Conclusions for doctoral dissertations;
b) The most common mistakes in doctoral dissertations, in Introductions and Conclusions – case studies;
c) Student presentations on the progress of their doctoral dissertations to date (based on chapters submitted three weeks earlier);
d) A discussion of the main theoretical, conceptual, and methodological issues and challenges raised in the doctoral students' presentations; international researchers from the world's top universities will be invited to the seminar to share their tips on conceptualizing research.
Type of course
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Knowledge: Knows and understands:
WG_1 – world achievements, covering theoretical foundations as well as general issues and selected specific issues of a given scientific or artistic discipline, to a degree allowing revision of existing paradigms
WG_2 - main development trends of the scientific or artistic disciplines which are the object of studies
WG_3 - methodology of scientific research
Skills: Can:
UW_1 - use knowledge of various scientific or artistic disciplines to creatively identify, formulate and innovatively solve complex problems or perform research tasks, and specifically: define the purpose and subject of research and formulate a research hypothesis, develop and creatively use research methods, techniques and tools, draw conclusions from research results
UW_2 – make a critical analysis and evaluation of the results of scientific research, expert activity and other creative works and their contribution to the development of knowledge
UK_1 - communicate on specialist topics to a degree enabling active participation in the international research community
UK_3 - initiate a debate
UK_4 - participate in the scientific discourse
Social competences: Is ready to:
KK_1 - critically evaluate the achievements of a given scientific or artistic discipline
KK_2 - critically evaluate own contribution to the development of a given scientific or artistic discipline
KK_3 - recognise the importance of science in solving cognitive and practical problems
KO_1 - fulfil social obligations of researchers and creators
KR_1 - maintain and develop the ethos of research and creative communities, including:
conducting scientific activity independently, respecting the principle of public ownership of research results, taking into account the principles of intellectual property protection
Assessment criteria
Description of requirements related to participation in classes, including the permitted number of explained absences: Presence in all class is mandatory, mission 1 class is allowed in special circumstances
Principles for passing the classes and the subject (including resit session):
- Participation in classes
- Presentation of progress on the doctoral dissertation
Methods for the verification of learning outcomes:
- Assessment of activity during classes
- Knowledge of the presented literature
- Application of theory and methods from classes during presentations
Evaluation criteria:
- Mandatory class attendance
- Assessment of the presentation, which should include elements specified by the instructors
Bibliography
a. Myers, Jerome L., Arnold D. Well, and Robert F. Lorch Jr. Research design and statistical analysis. Routledge, 2013.
b. Van Lange Paul, A. M., Wim BG Liebrand, and Wilke Henk AM. "Introduction and literature review." Social dilemmas (2015): 3-28.
c. Lamont, Christopher. "Research methods in international relations." (2021): 1-100.
d. Nygaard, Lynn P., and Kristin Solli. Strategies for writing a thesis by publication in the social sciences and humanities. Routledge, 2020.
e. Shapiro, Ian. "Problems, methods, and theories in the study of politics, or what's wrong with political science and what to do about it." Political theory 30, no. 4 (2002): 596-619.
f. Fidler, Fiona, Cathy Faulkner, and Geoff Cumming. "15. Analyzing and presenting outcomes." Evidence-based outcome research: A practical guide to conducting randomized controlled trials for psychosocial interventions (2008): 315.
g. Lantsoght, Eva OL. "Preparation for the doctoral defense: methods and relation to defense outcome and perception." Preprints (2021): 2021090481..
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: