Study Programmes 2016-2017
SPOL2327-1  
Preparatory seminar for final dissertation
Duration :
Number of credits :
Master in political sciences : general (120 ECTS)5
Master in political sciences : general (120 ECTS) (CATANE)5
Master in political sciences : general (120 ECTS) (en Science, Technologie et Société (STS))5
Lecturer :
Geoffrey Grandjean
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
All year long
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents :
The final stage of the degree for political science students is the thesis. In order to properly prepare students for this piece of work, the Department of Political Science organises a Thesis preparation seminar, an essential complement to the Guide du mémoire (Thesis Guide) available to students. Several theme-based sessions will be organised within the framework of this seminar, which students are required to attend. These sessions relate to the following themes:
  • Choice of subject;
  • Choice of jury;
  • Elaboration of a research question;
  • Choice of methodology;
  • Bibliographical references;
  • Planning your work;
  • Looking for legal documents;
  • Reading methodology;
  • Field visits;
  • Data analysis;
  • The use of a word processor;
  • Writing a scientific text;
  • Defending your thesis.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit :
By the end of the seminar, students should be able to:
  • carry out research in political science;
  • collect data;
  • analyse data;
  • write a thesis;
  • defend a thesis.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Students must attend the Supervised work in political science preparatory seminar.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
The seminar is divided into different theme-based sessions. Every session is comprised of a lecture followed by a discussion. The aim of the discussion is to allow students to talk about the difficulties they have encountered regarding their thesis and find ways to overcome these difficulties. The following theme-based sessions are offered to students enrolled in Block 1:
  • Introduction to the Thesis preparation seminar;
  • Choice of subject and the jury;
  • Research and course themes in the Department of Political Science (2 sessions);
  • Elaboration of a research question;
  • Choice of methodology;
  • Bibliographical references;
  • Planning your work.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Face to face.
There is an online option for students abroad, to be decided upon with the person organising the seminar.
Recommended or required readings :
Compulsory reading: Grandjean Geoffrey, Guide du mémoire, 120 p., available online: http://orbi.ulg.ac.be/handle/2268/201293.
The thesis rules are available on the Department of Political Science's website.
Assessment methods and criteria :
The Thesis preparation seminar is assessed according to the conditions set out in the Thesis rules.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
This course is held every year.
Contacts :
Prof. Dr Geoffrey Grandjean Lecturer Faculté de Droit, de Science Politique et de Criminologie Place des Orateurs, 3 4000 LIEGE Box 11 Office r. 16
Tel.: +32 (0)4/366.96.60 Email: Geoffrey.Grandjean@ulg.ac.be
Items online :
Final thesis
Translation coming