Prof Chris Alden

This course is compulsory on the MSc in International Strategy and Diplomacy. This course is not available as an outside option.

The dissertation will address a topic in the social sciences drawn broadly from the three core courses. The topic should make central use of concepts in the study of International Relations, strategy and diplomacy and should demonstrate a good understanding of these concepts and implications. The dissertation will draw on empirical topic areas but should also demonstrate a high degree of conceptual originality. Guidance on standards of presentation will be given in the handbook and conform to the standard laid down for MSc dissertations in the International Relations Department. The subject and title of the dissertation must be approved by the dissertation supervisor.

Arrangements for supervision. Students will receive advice on how to choose a topic and how to write a dissertation from a 1.5 hour workshop and from three half hour individual supervision sessions.

Students submit a 3,000 dissertation plan on which they receive written feedback (see the details of the IR444 course, taken in conjunction with IR496).

Dissertation (100%, 15000 words) in the WT.

A 15,000 word dissertation (100%) to be submitted in September. This course is taken in conjunction with IR444 Strategy in Action (H).

Using the dissertation plan (IR444), the dissertation will include an introduction, theoretical framework, a literature review and methodology followed by chapters, conclusion and bibliography.