6 ECTS credits
150 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1024183BNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Students must have taken ‘Onderzoeksmethoden voor de politieke wetenschappen: werkcollege II’ and 'Politicologie: algemene inleiding' , before they can enroll in this course.
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Political Science
Educational team
Dimokritos Kavadias (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
12 contact hours Lecture
138 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

In this seminar we focus on political sociology. We start from contemporary and annually changing political themes and study them from a political sociological point of view. Possible themes that will be discussed are political socialization, youth and politics, political participation, and political attitudes. Through interactive discussion sessions and their own research, students develop the academic and research skills to write a scientific paper independently.

Additional info

This course can only be registered for in StudentSelf Service starting October 1. An information session will be held during the first weeks of the academic year.

The study materials will be made available via Canvas.

For the specific dates of each session and the assignment deadlines, please refer to Canvas.

This course cannot be taken under a credit contract because it involves a final project that completes the bachelor’s programme.

The workload calculation below is indicative and provides an estimate of the expected study load.

WPO: 12 hours

  • Practical group sessions (introduction, responsible use of AI, presentation techniques): 6 hours
  • Thematic seminars (research plan, literature review, methods, presentation sessions): 6 hours

SELF: 138 hours

  • Preparation for group sessions and seminars: 12 hours
  • Presentation preparation: 6 hours
  • Preparation of peer feedback: 6 hours
  • Final paper: 114 hours
Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

General
Students demonstrate knowledge and understanding of political science theories and concepts. They possess problem-solving skills that enable them to analyze problems in a political science context and suggest scientifically grounded solutions. This also presupposes a critical scientific attitude toward existing theories, sources, views, opinions, and so on. In addition, students learn to communicate conclusions unambiguously to an audience of peers.

More specifically

Learning Outcome 1: Research Skills and Critical Thinking
Students are able to:

  • Formulate a clear research question and frame their research
  • Conduct a literature review
  • Critically evaluate academic sources

Learning Outcome 2: Methodological Skills
Students are able to:

  • Select and justify an appropriate research methodology
  • Apply methods for data collection and analysis
  • Interpret results in relation to existing literature

Learning Outcome 3: Academic Writing
Students are able to:

  • Structure an academic paper
  • Write clearly and argumentatively
  • Apply correct referencing and citation standards

Learning Outcome 4: Research Process and Project Management
Students are able to:

  • Plan and carry out a research project
  • Work independently and incorporate feedback from a supervisor
  • Plan deadlines and revise work based on feedback

Learning Outcome 5: Communication
Students are able to:

  • Present research findings orally
  • Defend their research choices and results
  • Provide constructive feedback on the work of fellow students

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Bachelor thesis determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Bachelor thesis category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Bachelorpaper with a relative weight of 70 which comprises 70% of the final mark.

    Note: Studens cannot pass this course if they didn't pass the final paper
  • Presentation with a relative weight of 20 which comprises 20% of the final mark.

    Note: Oral presentation
  • Peerfeedback with a relative weight of 10 which comprises 10% of the final mark.

    Note: Peerfeedback on 2 other papers

Additional info regarding evaluation

A student must pass the final paper (minimum 10/20 for this component). Only if the student passes the final paper can they pass this course. If the student does not pass the final paper, the failing grade for this component becomes the final grade for the course. This applies regardless of whether the student obtained a passing grade (10/20 or higher) for the other two components. Absence for the final paper automatically results in a final grade of “AFW” (absent).

The resit opportunity in the second examination period differs from that of the first examination period. A second sitting is only possible for the “final paper” and the “oral presentation”. The partial grades for these assessment components will be carried over to the second examination period if the result is at least 10/20. Absence for these components also automatically results in a final grade of “AFW”.

The grade for the other assessment component (“peer feedback on 2 other papers”) cannot be retaken during the second examination period. The partial result for this component is automatically carried over to the second examination period. Absence for this assessment component is equivalent to a grade of 0/20 for that component.

Results for partial assignments are not carried over to the following academic year.

The use of Generative AI (GenAI) as a supporting tool is permitted to a limited extent for certain components. Students must appropriately report their use of AI. Specific instructions will be communicated via the learning platform.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Political Science and Sociology: Political Science Minor Minor Education (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Political Science and Sociology: Political Science Minor Minor Sociology (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Political Science and Sociology: - afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen, minor communicatiewetenschappen (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Political Science and Sociology: - afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen, minor geschiedenis (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Political Science and Sociology: - afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen, minor bedrijfseconomie (only offered in Dutch)