(MA) Master of Arts
Ideology and Discourse Analysis
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Government
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
MA L202EB
08/05/2024
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr Adrian Florea
Senior Lecturer in International Relations
University of Glasgow
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- To develop a systematic knowledge and understanding of the conceptual foundations of the discipline of political science.
- To promote the critical use of evidence, and the effective application of methods of political analysis.
- To develop a capacity for independent study and research, including a critical awareness of research design; In some cases, to provide the opportunity, through a range of options, to study sub-disciplinary and/or area-oriented fields in depth.
- To develop a capacity to make coherent and reflective argument, and to present and communicate ideas effectively.
- To enhance the analytical and evaluative skills required for personal and professional development, and for successful employment or further study
- To provide students with specialised knowledge of theoretical approaches at the forefront of contemporary modes of political and ideological analysis.
- To deploy the insights discussed at a theoretical level to analyse substantive political cases.
- Here questions concerning the impact of ideological and symbolic processes on the formation of political discourses, identities and communities are of crucial importance.
- Analyses of contemporary political movements and phenomena are incorporated into the programme to ensure that students acquire the skills needed for the analysis of concrete ideologies within a post-foundationalist framework.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Advanced knowledge of different modes of explanation and theoretical perspectives in political theory at an appropriate level.
A2: Understanding the main political science methods for using quantitative and qualitative evidence to support arguments
A3: Critical awareness of the use of argument in political theory.
A4: Knowledge of the main research findings, and main developments and debates in one or more sub-disciplinary or area-oriented fields.
A5: Systematic knowledge of the relevant sources of information.
A6: Systematic knowledge of different modes of explanation and theoretical perspectives in ideology and discourse analysis.
A7: Systematic knowledge of philosophical foundations of social science.
Learning methods
A1-8 Lectures, participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, writing essays and dissertation, oral and written feedback on essays.
A1 specifically in GV909 Research Seminar in Political Theory Methods.
A2 specifically in GV909 Research Seminar in Political Theory Methods.
A3 specifically in GV909, GV908 and in supervision of individual dissertations.
A4 specifically in GV909, GV988 and options chosen in consultation with Scheme Director.
A6 specifically in GV988 Ideology and Political Discourse and GV909 Research Seminar in Political Theory Methods.
A7 specifically in GV909 Research Seminar in Political Theory Methods
Assessment methods
Taught modules assessed 50/50 by continuous assessment through written assignments and essays, and three-hour closed examinations at end of module.
The Research Seminar (GV909) and GV908: Political Theory and GV988: Ideology and Political Discourse are assessed 100% by continuous assessment through written essays.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: To question received thinking.
B2: To develop independent thinking
B3: To muster evidence
B4: To evaluate and analyse evidence
B5: To reason critically.
B6: To argue coherently and concisely
B7: To communicate ideas effectively in writing
B8: To carry out independent research
Learning methods
B1-7. participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, individual guidance on researching and writing essays, oral and written feedback on essays, individual interviews and group sessions with Study Skills Officer.
B4 especially in GV909 Research Seminar in Political Theory and Methods.
B8 especially in supervised dissertation.
Assessment methods
B1-7. written assignments, essays, dissertation, and written examinations.
B8 The dissertation.
C: Practical skills
C1: Organise and structure an extended argument
C2: Use concepts correctly
C3: Compile systematic bibliographies.
C4: Provide references according to accepted conventions.
C5: Use libraries and IT to access information and scholarly resources
C6: Sift and synthesise complex information
Learning methods
C1-6 participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, individual guidance for essays, individual supervision of dissertations, oral and written feedback on class presentations and essays.
C5 specifically in induction sessions for library use.
Assessment methods
C1-6 written assignments and essays, closed examinations, supervised dissertation.
C1 especially in dissertation.
C2 essays, examinations, and dissertation.
C3-6 specifically in essays and dissertation.
D: Key skills
D1: Clear, focused, relevant and effective expression and communication.
D2: Access and organise information from a variety of electronic sources
D3: Understand the use of quantitative evidence
D4: To manage projects and timetables. To find, understand and organise information. To work with ideas.
D5: Advanced knowledge of different modes of explanation and theoretical perspectives in political economy or related fields at an appropriate level.
D6: Positive response to feedback and criticism.
Learning methods
D1-5 participation in and presentations to seminars and classes, written assignments and essays, dissertation.
D4 specifically in scheduling and balancing requirements for four courses taught in parallel.
D6 specifically in individual guidance on essays, oral and written feedback on essays.
Assessment methods
D1-4 written assignments and essays, examinations, dissertation D6 classroom presentations, written assignments and essays.