Face-to-face , 30 hours of theory.

French

This seminar has two objectives. Firstly, it aims to introduce students to the methodological aspects of completing a master's thesis. By the end of the seminar, students should be able to apply the skills necessary to define a research topic and to decide how to tackle this topic in their end of course assignment. Secondly, the seminar gives an introduction to the research and critical analysis of European information. It aims to provide specific know-how in researching the type of documentation needed for writing their thesis. It therefore includes sessions presenting the main documentary sources on European affairs, such as bibliographic tools or websites (ECLAS), information and communication websites (Europa), sources of legal texts (EUR-LEX and Curia), surveys (Eurobarometers), statistics (Eurostat), specialist media, etc.

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Teaching in the seminar will address the main methodological requirements for writing a thesis: presentation of bibliographical references, defining the subject of the research and deciding how to tackle this subject, choice of a conceptual framework and reference methodology, etc. Practical advice will also be given on research strategies, relations with supervisors, and defending theses. The first block of sessions will include practical training on accessing and consulting European information and documentation.

The seminar will consist of two blocks of sessions over the year. It will provide support to students in completing their end-of-course assignments, from defining a research topic to drafting their thesis.

The following issues will be addressed:

- general methodology of social science research; defining and tackling a research topic

- use of traditional and electronic resource materials

- introduction to European information and documentation

- techniques for writing academic papers.

The first block will involve two general presentation sessions, given by the professor, as well as 8 hours of practical training, in the IT room, on how to access and consult European information and documentation.

The second block will involve intensive sessions presenting and discussing draft theses, theoretical or conceptual issues, and the research strategies followed by the students. These sessions are intended to encourage interaction between students and teacher, but also among students. They aim to teach a critical and self-critical approach. Presentations and discussions will take place in French or English.

For the first set of sessions, there will be a two-stage assessment of student progress.

1. Students will attend two to three general sessions, providing teaching on issues related to producing a thesis, as well as 8 hours of training in the use of European information and documentation. Students will be assessed on what they have learnt (25%).

2. Students will be asked to prepare an initial 'research note, which will then be evaluated by their supervisor (75%).

For the second group of sessions, student progress will be assessed solely by means of a thesis defence, involving the student's supervisor and a lecturer.

Beaud, Michel, L'art de la thèse, Paris, La Découverte, Coll. Repères, 2006. Berthelot, Jean-Michel, L'emprise du vrai. Connaissance scientifique et modernité, Paris, PUF, 2008. Box-Steffensmeier, Janet M., Brady, Henry E., Collier, David (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Political Methodology, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2008. Bryman, Alan, Social Research Methods (fourth edition), Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2012. Harrison, Lisa, Startin, Nicholas, Political Research: An Introduction, London, Routledge, 2001. Ingber, Léon, Guide des citations, références et abréviations juridiques, Bruxelles, E. Story-Scientia, Bruylant, 1990. Lenoble-Pinson, Michèle, La rédaction scientifique, Bruxelles, De Boeck et Larcier, 1996. Marsh, David, Stoker, Gerry Stoker (eds), Theory and Methods in Political Science, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2010. Meyer, Bernard, Maîtriser l'argumentation, Paris, Armand Collin, 2004. Quivy, Raymond, Van Campenhoudt, Luc, Manuel de recherches en sciences sociales, Paris, Dunod, 2006. Rosamond, Ben, Theories of European Integration, Palgrave MacMillan, 2000. Saurugger, Sabine, Théories et concepts de l'intégration européenne, Paris, Presses de Science Po, 2009. Van Campenhoudt, Luc, Introduction à l'analyse des phénomènes sociaux, Paris, Dunod, 2007. Kellstedt, Paul M., Whitten, Guy D., The fundamentals of political science research, Second edition, Cambridge, Cambridge university press, 2013. Burnham, Peter (et al.), Research methods in politics, Second edition, Basingstoke, Palgrave MacMillan, 2008.

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