Master’s Thesis in Political Science: Global Environmental Governance, Sustainability and Climate Change

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/S_MTPSG

Course Objective

The thesis is the conclusion of the master program in political science. The goal is for the student to apply knowledge, insights and skills acquired during the program in conducting an individual political science research, and to report on it in a thesis. Learning objectives: A. Knowledge and understanding
- The student has acquired knowledge and understanding of: (1) relevant and up-to-date political science literature in the area of the chosen topic of the thesis. B. Skills – The student is able to: (2) produce a research-based thesis that shows intellectual rigor and proficiency in the field of Global Environmental Governance; (3) summarize, evaluate, and synthesize existing research, to identify the main areas of debate, and to position their own research within these debates; (4) identify a research puzzle, formulate a research question, and develop a feasible research design to answer the research question; (5) carry out in-depth academic theoretical and empirical research; (6) apply qualitative and/or quantitative methods in political science research; (7) reflect upon the relevance of their research findings for ongoing academic debates as well as for policy. C. Attitude – The student displays: (8) intellectual integrity and a willingness to self-assess and take responsibility for their own learning process.

Course Content

The Master’s thesis is an individual piece of original political science research with which students conclude the Master’s program. The thesis is to address a political science topic and is developed with guidance from supervisors in small groups as well as individual meetings. As a rule, the thesis includes (at least) an introduction, a thorough review of relevant literature, an explicit theoretical framework, a well-justified research design, an analysis of the findings, and a conclusion. The maximum length of the thesis is 15,000 words (including footnotes but excluding abstract, bibliography and annexes).

Teaching Methods

Students will receive guidance and feedback from their supervisors in a mix of small group thesis seminars and individual meetings.

Method of Assessment

Master's Thesis

Target Audience

Students in the specialisation Global Environmental Governance, Sustainability and Climate Change.

Custom Course Registration

The master’s thesis has the period ‘academic year’ for administrative reasons, but there is only one starting moment per academic year, as indicated in the year schedule (study guide) and correspondence from the master’s thesis coordinator. It is not possible to start the master’s thesis during other periods.

Additional Information

Please note that we start the process of finding a topic and a good match with a supervisor with a thesis market already in December. Students who have not passed the courses of Period 1 will be allowed conditionally to receive supervision if they have fully participated in those courses as well as in two Selected issues courses in Period 2.. Additional information will be made available in the thesis course manual.

Entry Requirements

Having passed the courses of Period 1 and participation in "Selected Issues: Global Environmental Governance" and participation in the "Workshop Global Environmental Governance, Sustainability and Climate Change".