MA Security and International Law / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
MA Research Paper Two

Course unit fact file
Unit code LAWS70902
Credit rating 30
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The PGT programmes have both a taught element and a research element. To be awarded the PGT degree, students must satisfactorily complete both elements, to a total of 180 credits. The research element makes up 60 credits of the total 180 credits needed. For the research element to be completed students must either complete two research papers each worth 30 credits, or alternatively can complete a dissertation worth 60 credits. By choosing to write a dissertation, students will be committing themselves to one piece of work amounting to 60 credits, so it is advisable for students to consider carefully before opting for a dissertation in lieu of two research papers.

The length of each research paper will be a maximum of 8,000 words on approved subjects. Students must submit a title and a brief summary of their proposed topic by a specific date that will be set at the beginning of the first semester. The topics covered by research paper one must relate to an area of law studied in semester one. The topic covered by research paper two may relate to an area of law studied in semester one or two. Please note that the topic of each research paper must relate to a different area of law. The proposed area of study must be considered and approved by the relevant course unit director. Once completed, the research paper must be submitted electronically on specific published dates (the first paper in April and the second in early September of the year in which the examinations were passed). Further information about title approvals, the supervision process and submission process will be made available during the first semester.

Aims

  • To develop forensic legal skills such as analysis, critical evaluation and argument;
  • To develop the capacity for individual research;
  • To develop skills and knowledge, that can usefully be applied in further study, the legal profession, public service or industry.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the research paper, successful students will be able to:

  • Research, collate and evaluate primary and secondary materials on the law subjects
  • To develop students’ capacity for critical analysis and logical thinking and to encourage independent learning and reflection;
  • To develop a general range of transferable and generic skills in problem-solving and reasoning as well as written communication.

Teaching and learning methods

All PGT students are required to undertake the Postgraduate Law Learning and Research Skills course, the classes for which take place throughout the academic session. There will be one class per week throughout semesters one and two.

These classes are absolutely essential, as they will equip you with the necessary legal research skills required to successfully complete the research papers. The research papers are independent pieces of work. The guidance that you will require to submit research papers of postgraduate standard will come predominantly from these Learning and Research Skills classes.

All the PGT students have a right to up to two face-to-face meetings with their supervisor, each of which can be a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of one hour, for each research paper. The first of these meetings should be to discuss a plan of work, to identify useful literature, and so on. The topic of subsequent meetings will be decided by the student.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written assignment (inc essay) 100%

Feedback methods

Formative feedback, ether written and/or oral, is made available during the supervision process by the supervisor.

Feedback/ comprehensive comments will also be provided on the marked research paper and will be released with the marked paper.

Study hours

Independent study hours
Independent study 300

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Rebecca Mignot-Mahdavi Unit coordinator

Additional notes

The topic covered by the first research paper must be based on a core course if you are following the MA in International Law and Security. The second research paper can then be based either on another core course or on an optional course.

Return to course details