Master Thesis

The course Master's Thesis is an in-depth course in Political Science. The course is compulsory within the Master's Programme in Political Science and Master's Programme in Political Science: Environmental Governance and Behavior. The course can also be offered as a single subject course. The thesis is intended as a degree project for a Master's degree in Political Science.

Entry requirements for the course are the completion of the courses SK2121 Political Science Analysis (15 credits), an in-depth course in the second cycle (15 credits) and either the course SF2321 Applied Statistical Analysis (15 credits) or SF2322 Applied Quantitative Research Methods (15 credits) or SF2323 Applied Qualitative Research Methods, problems and design (15 credits) or SF2324 Introduction to Applied Research Design and Quantitative Research Methods for Social Scientists (15 credits) as well as a Bachelor's degree. Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6 or English level 2 from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent.

During this course students will learn to write and orally defend an independent, in-depth scientific thesis. During the course, students will learn how to plan, carry out and present scientific research which incorporates all stages of the scientific process: from problem formulation to theory, scientific questions of relevance, method, presentation of results, and conclusions. Students will also present and defend their research and conclusions at a mandatory seminar, where they will receive critical and probing questions from both the opponent (another student) and the examiner. Students will also critically, constructively and pedagogically examine other students’ theses in the same scientific manner. Students should display a critical and scientific approach in all these activities.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Understand and independently apply scientific theoretical perspectives and methods in order to complete an original research project relevant to Political Science.

Competence and skills

• Creatively, critically and independently identify, formulate and delimit an original scientific question of relevance to Political Science.
• Creatively and independently select an appropriate methodological approach to answer a specified scientific question.
• Systematically gather and compile empirical data and/or identify and evaluate existing empirical data, sources or secondary literature.
• Produce a written report and orally present and defend it.
• Publicly discuss another student’s degree project as well as participate in discussions regarding other students’ degree projects.
• Independently produce text in accordance with good academic practice, including proper citation technique and use of references.
• Communicate clearly and proficiently in English both orally and in writing.

Judgement and approach

• Critically evaluate the reliability of conclusions and findings of academic research and policy evaluations.
• Identify and critically assess ethical issues related to research on human behaviour.

The teaching on the course consists mainly of individual supervision. There are also introductory lectures and mandatory examination seminars.

Language of instruction: English

Progress toward the learning outcomes will be assessed through the Master’s thesis and the student’s performance at the final seminar, where students present and defend their work. In the final seminar the student will also act as opponent on another student’s thesis. In addition to this the student is expected to participate actively in the discussions of other students’ theses.

Students can be asked to re-work graded assignments and re-submit them. If the student does not re-submit the reworked assignment on time, the student will be failed on the assignment. A student who does not pass the oral examination will be granted an opportunity to retake the oral exam with the examiner.

In addition to the ordinary examination occasion, there will be a renewed examination date at the middle and end of each semester, if needed.

Restrictions on the use of generative AI are stated in the course guide. Students are obliged to inform themselves about the current rules for examining elements such as assignments, seminar papers and other forms of exams in the course in question.

A student who has taken two exams in a course or part of a course without obtaining a pass grade is entitled to the nomination of another examiner. The student needs to contact the department for a new examiner, preferably in writing, and this should be approved by the department unless there are special reasons to the contrary.

If a student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg for special educational support, where it is compatible with the learning outcomes of the course and provided that no unreasonable resources are required, the examiner may decide to allow the student to sit an adjusted exam or alternative form of assessment.

At least five occasions shall be offered the students to pass a course or part of a course.

In the event that a course has ceased or undergone major changes, students are to be guaranteed at least three examination sessions (including the ordinary examination session) over a period of at least one year, but no more than two years, after the course has ceased/been changed.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

The grades Fail (U), Pass (G), and Pass with Distinction (VG) are used for the written examination, while the grades Fail (U) and Pass (G) are used for the oral examination and for the opposition. All grades are combined following an assessment of both the written thesis and the oral examination. To achieve VG for the entire degree course, the student must obtain G for the opposition, VG for the thesis, and G for the oral examination. To achieve G for the course, the student must obtain G for the opposition, G for the thesis, and G for the oral examination.

To obtain the Pass grade the student must fulfill all the learning outcomes.

To obtain Pass with Distinction the thesis should also be characterized by excellent theoretical, methodological and analytical qualities.

The student will be given the opportunity to do a course evaluation. The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

Additional costs in relation to the course are the responsibility of the student.

The Department of Political Science follows the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (UD) travel recommendations for travelling abroad. This means that if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against (all or unnecessary trips) travel to a specific country, region or city, that advise applies to all study-related trips. Hence, a student’s thesis will not be examined if the student proceeds with data-collection or writing his/her thesis in a country/region/city that the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advice against travel to, at the start of the course.