MA seminar

The Master's seminar is conducted over three semesters, starting in the second semester, and continuing through the third and forth semesters. Each semester concludes with a grade reflecting the progress made in preparing the Master's thesis and achieving the learning outcomes. According to the UMCS Study Regulations, the condition for passing the sixth semester is submitting a thesis approved by the supervisor in the APD system.

The aim of the seminar is to prepare the student to write the Master's thesis and to guide the process of writing it, including preparing for the defense. This goal is achieved by organizing the seminar with a clearly defined structure of tasks, such as:

1) defining the research area of the thesis, formulating its topic, and conducting a literature review (first semester);

2) proposing a structure for the thesis, divided into chapters and subchapters;

3) developing research assumptions for solving the research problem undertaken, taking into account the theoretical and methodological identity of the discipline of "international relations" (second semester);

4) writing a dissertation while maintaining the identity of the discipline of "international relations" and demonstrating creative thinking and critical thinking regarding the existing state of research, and mastering the formal elements of a thesis (third semester);

5) preparing the student for and conducting a defense of the Master's thesis. Achieving the above-mentioned objectives of the thesis seminar requires the student to master more extensive research competencies than those required for the bachelor's thesis.

The thesis seminar concludes with the student taking a thesis examination and defending the thesis, conducted in accordance with the UMCS Study Regulations and the thesis procedure used at the UMCS Faculty of Political Science and Journalism.

Literature recommended

S. Halperin, O. Heath, Political Research. Methods and practical skills. Oxford 2020

Ch Lamont, Research Methods in International Relations, London 2022

M. Pietraś, Levels of decision-making determinants in the European Council of the EU in 2010-2022, Polish Political Science Yearbook” 2022, vol. 51,

E. Babbie, W.E. Wagner, J. Zaino, Adventures in Social Research. Data Analysis Using IBM SPSS Statistics, 11th Edition, 2022

D. Sprinz, Y. Wolinski-Nahmias, Models, Numbers, and Cases: Methods for Studying International Relations, 2004

D. McNabb, Research Methods for Political Science: Quantitative, Qualitative and Mixed Method Approaches, London 2020

Philip H. Pollock III, Barry C. Edwards, The Essentials of Political Analysis, 2019

R. Sil, P. J. Katzenstein, Analytic Eclecticism in the Study of World Politics: Reconfiguring Problems and Mechanisms across Research Traditions, „Perspectives on Politics” 2010, nr 2, Vol. 8

D. Silverman, Doing Qualitative Research. A Practical Handbook, London 2005

J. Butholph Jonson, H. Reynolds, Political Science Research Methods, Thousand Oaks 2012

M. Bruter; M. Lodge, Political science research methods in action, Basingstocke 2013

G. Marsh, G. Stoker (ed.), Theory and methods in political science, New York 2010

R. Dahl, B. Stinebrickner, Modern political analysis, Upper Saddle River 2003

graduate knows and understand:

K_W02 in a deepened way, identity of international relations studies, including genesis, evolution, tendencies of development, main paradigms and

inter-paradigm debates within the discipline

K_W03 theories explaining complex interdependencies in international and transnational relations

K_W04 methodological specificity of international relations studies, main levels and areas of research on international relations, methods and tools of

description, techniques of gathering and analysis of data specific for international relations studies

graduate can

K_U01 use knowledge to identify and solve complex and not typical problems in the area of international and transnational relations

K_U03 make choice and implement proper methods and tools to solve problems and execute practical tasks

K_U04 makes choice of resources and information coming from them to interpret phenomena and processes in specific areas of international relations

K_U05 perform critical analysis andevaluation as well as formulate opinions on international phenomena and processes

K_U06 communicate and participate in debates with diversified groups on specialized topics in the area of international and transnational relations

K_U09 use acquired theoretical and methodological knowledge as well as knowledge of selected international issues to prepare written work in

English, presenting in a deepened way problems of international relations

graduate is ready to:

K_K01 critically evaluate received content in learning process and public debate

K_K02 recognize importance of knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems

K_W17 fundamental ideas and principles of intellectual property, intellectual property law protection and management of intellectual property

resources