Course Details

Course Website: https://nanzhang-polisci.github.io/BA_Colloq.html

Course Instructor: Nan Zhang

Date and Time for Group Meetings: Tuesdays, 15:30 - 17:00 in C 116 Seminarraum (A 5, 6 Bauteil C)

One-on-one consultations: by appointment, either over zoom or in A 508 (A 5, 6 Bauteil A)

Course Description

This course involves support for writing a BA thesis in political science. In this thesis, students will conduct independent research on a chosen topic which we agree upon during the semester. Students will need to design and carry a research strategy that includes (i) identifying an original contribution to a body of literature, (ii) finding or generating appropriate data, and (iii) conducting a rigorous data analysis. This colloquium is designed to help students progress along each of these steps by providing periodic feedback from the instructor.

Course Structure

Essentially, this colloquium operates as a venue for students to obtain rapid and constructive feedback.

Although we may occasionally meet as a group, the bulk of our time together will be spent in several one-on-one consultations spaced throughout the semester.

These consultations are mandatory, and will be scheduled in the first week of class.

Course Requirements

You will complete a thesis comprising an original contribution to knowledge. The topic has to be agreed with the instructor. The thesis should be in the range of 8-10,000 words, and no more than 35 pages. It cannot exceed this upper page limit (including references, title pages, abstract, etc., but excluding any appendices) and you are required to provide a word count on the title page.

The thesis must be submitted by 31 May, 2025. You should submit an electronic copy to me via email. If you conduct quantitative analysis you will also need to submit electronic copies of your data and any syntax files (i.e. R or Stata code).

Weekly Schedule

Organizational Meeting and Research Questions (11 Feb):

Nan will introduce the syllabus, and we will briefly talk about the “milestones” for the BA thesis:

Finally, we will set up a schedule for our one-on-one meetings.

These meetings will usually take place on Monday, Tuesday, and (some) Wednesday mornings. Plan to chat for about 30 minutes.

The signup sheet is here.

Let me know if you cannot make these times. We can set up alternative times to talk over zoom.

Consultation Block: Research Question and Literature Review (until the thesis registration deadline):

During this block, we should meet (at least) twice.

Before the our first meeting, come up with a research question for us to discuss together. Be prepared to explain:

  1. what the existing literature already says about your research question and – more importantly – what are the “knowledge” gaps?
  2. how your proposed research will contribute to advancing that literature (i.e. what is original here?)

Before our second meeting, please send me a bullet-pointed outline of your introduction (up to the methods intro) and literature review.

If you don’t know how to start, just pick a paper you like from the APSR or AJPS and follow its structure.

Note that 7 March 2025 is the date for the registration of the thesis. The form is available here. Please send me a pdf version via email.

Consultation Block: Data and Testable Implications (up to the Easter Holidays):

Students should come to our meeting already explored possible data sources and methods of analysis. Before we meet, please already reflect upon:

During our meeting, we will work on linking your data to your theory and research question. We will discuss:

Easter Holidays

Consultation Block: Data Analysis (up to mid-May):

Bring your data and analysis code to our meeting. We will discuss your analytical strategy, as well as how best to present the results.

Depending on how much coding help you need, multiple meetings are encouraged during this block.

Consultation Block: The Final Write-up (until the deadline):

A final meeting is optional, but strongly encouraged.

Before our meeting, send me a bullet-pointed outline of your Data and Methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusions.

If you want feedback on the Intro and Lit Review, send those along as well.

The final thesis plus any additional material (e.g. data, code) necessary to replicate the analysis should be submitted electronically via email by 31 May 2024.

The electronic copy must be electronically readable, so not scanned or security protected.