This colloquium provides an opportunity for students who work on their final theses or dissertation projects primarily in the fields of international relations or regional/ area studies.

In the course, the participants will present and discuss their own research concepts or project outlines once or twice. The colloquium's purpose is to discuss problems occurring while conceptualizing and writing a thesis, and finding solutions to methodological and practical questions emerging during work process. A particular focus will address the definition of variables, their operationalization, the generation of hypotheses and the selection of comparative cases.

In addition to these practical elements, each session is dedicated to a theoretical and methodological general text in order to clarify methods like case selection, content analyses or interviews and surveys. Furthermore, the lecturer is going to describe the distinctive view of a reviewer and will help identifying the crucial aspects in writing a thesis. The procedure of oral exams is also discussed. As a by-effect the creation of informal working groups among the students is strongly supported.

Participants have to prepare the required readings, and to present one theoretical issue and (at least once) their own research proposal.

Good English language capabilities are necessary as the colloquium is supposed to be held in English. In regard to the presentation of research proposal exceptions can be negotiated. Regular and active participation is required.

 

This lecture uses the E-learning platform Blackboard. Please register under: http://lms.fu-berlin.de. The password will be given during the first lecture.

 

Additionally, please also register under http://www.oei.fu-berlin.de/politik/anmeldungsformular/index.html.