Project in Applied International Policy

F2025

International Politics and Governance

Project

English

Read about the Master Programme and find the Study Regulations at ruc.dk

You register for activities through stads selvbetjening during the announced registration period, which you can see on the Study administration homepage.

When registering for courses, please be aware of the potential conflicts and overlaps between course and exam time and dates. The planning of course activities at Roskilde University is based on the recommended study programmes, which should not overlap. However, if you choose optional courses and/or study plans that goes beyond the recommended study programmes, an overlap of lectures or exam dates may occur depending on which courses you choose.

15

Laust Schouenborg (lausts@ruc.dk)

Laust Schouenborg (lausts@ruc.dk)

ISE Registration & Exams (ise-exams@ruc.dk)

U60141

Project in Applied International Policy consists of the students' own in-depth work with a self-selected problem-oriented research question that leads to the preparation of a project. The project is tied thematically to the international policy analysis course, permitting students to specialise within subject matter fields (e.g. climate, foreign policy, health and food and social policies). As part of the project, students go through a short course introducing project management methodologies relevant to both the execution of the project and project management in their future careers.

" The (independent study) project in Applied International Policy (15 ECTS) allows IPG students to develop an independent research and writing project in which they work closely with a designated member of staff. The content of the project requires students to apply knowledge of, theories and methods in International Policy Analysis to an independent project. This requires students’ ability to critically and independently read core (required) IPA readings and develop a focused research project. This entails a clear research problem formulation which is then turned into a main research puzzle/question for the project to address: theoretically, empirically, methodologically and analytically. Students will need to undertake a project research design, work in a group setting and in close guidance by a member of (academic) staff in developing an independent project and concisely present their own research to an academic readership. An important aspect of the project’s content is the students’ ability to undertake a nuanced literature review of the selected topic. Ultimately the project requires students’ engagement in sustained critical analysis and writing on a focused topic in International Policy Analysis. Moreover, students have to demonstrate project management skills. Projects need to show students’ detailed and systematic understanding of how public policy processes and policy solutions operate in world affairs.

Guidance on the use of quantitative methods in projects and theses

If you and your group find quantitative analyses relevant to answer your research question, and your supervisor cannot help, here is an offer of assistance. We offer a workshop where a group of researchers will talk about how to use quantitative data in projects and theses. We will present an overview of publicly available data sets, as well as the possibilities, if you wish to collect your own data. We expect you to have taken a course in basic quantitative methods (BC 8 or equivalent).

The workshop is held on February 26, 2025, 12:15-02:00 pm, in theory room 20.1-009

After the workshop you/your group will have the opportunity to book an appointment with a skilled student, who will help with downloading and preparing data for analysis and interpretation. If you need extra guidance on any particular issue, you will be referred to a relevant researcher. To schedule an appointment, please contact: Cassie Skjærbæk, cassies@ruc.dk

The project literature and curriculum are determined by the students in consultation with the supervisor and in compliance with requirements and learning goals as specified in the study programme. The students are expected to utilize curriculum from own literature search and reviews.

The majority of the activity takes place as self-study, where the group of 2-5 students works independently with a problem-oriented project. The project group can expect up to 3-4 supervision sessions of about 45-60 minutes each with their assigned supervisor. The study intensity for a student in this activity: 405 hours. This includes group formation, any additional workshops and preparation for the oral exam.

If, this semester, the activity is a part of the study board's evaluation rotation (not all activities offered are evaluated - only the ones chosen by the study board), the students will be asked to evaluate mid-term and by the end of the activity according to the evaluation practice of the study board.

Specified on Moodle

• Be able to acquire in depth knowledge about the specific aspects about the topic they have chosen to write the project (e.g. climate change, environment, health, immigration etc).

• Be able to formulate a precise problem formulation and, by extension, select and reflect on relevant theory, method, analysis design and empirical data.

• Be able to provide an overview of the main theoretical positions and empirical conditions of the specific subject field of the project, which they present in the literature review.

• Be able to work in a problem-oriented fashion with a subject relevant research question within the defined overarching topic.

• Be able to master the chosen methodological approach, obtain the necessary empirical evidence and carry out a thorough analysis where the theoretical terminology is systematically applied to the project's subject area and in line with the project's research question and design.

• Be able to draw relevant and well-reasoned conclusions based on the project's analysis, and present and communicate these conclusion clearly and precisely.

Oral project exam in groups with individual assessment.


Permitted group size: 2-5 students.

The character limits of the project report are:
For 2 students: maximum 91,200 characters, including spaces.
For 3 students: maximum 110,400 characters, including spaces.
For 4 students: maximum 132,000 characters, including spaces.
For 5 students: maximum 151,200 characters, including spaces.
The character limits include the cover, table of contents, summary, bibliography, figures and other illustrations, but exclude any appendices.

The project portfolio must include a summary in English, that is part of the assessment.

Time allowed for exam including time used for assessment is for:
2 students: 60 minutes.
3 students: 75 minutes.
4 students: 90 minutes.
5 students: 105 minutes.

Writing and spelling skills in the project report are part of the assessment.

Permitted support and preparation materials at the oral exam: All

Assessment: 7-point grading scale.
Moderation: Internal co-assessor.

Samme som ordinær eksamen / same form as ordinary exam

"Identify a relevant problem area and formulate a pertinent and coherent research question

Engage with and critically review relevant literatures

Select, compare and apply a relevant theoretical framework

Reflect, select and apply relevant methodological tools.

Justify their analytical choices and findings

Besides above following will be part of the assessment • Resume in English or Danish • Writing and spelling skills are part of the assessment.

Oral presentation Same criteria as for project, but also: The student are able to: • Present and communicate • Take part in dialogue and discussion about the written project report The assessment is a collective assessment of all above. "