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2022/2023  BA-BPOLV1041U  Free Paper, 15 ECTS

English Title
Free Paper, 15 ECTS

Course information

Language English
Course ECTS 15 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn, Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc/MSc i International Business and Politics, BSc
Course coordinator
  • Leonard Seabrooke - Department of Organization (IOA)
Main academic disciplines
  • Globalisation and international business
  • International political economy
  • Political Science
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 03-02-2022

Relevant links

Learning objectives
  • independently explore, review and systematize the academic literature on a topic of interest
  • address the research question with appropriate and justified choices of theory and research design, demonstrating an awareness of alternative choices,
  • conduct a literature search so as to locate the own research underpinning the paper substantively in relation to work that has been previously been undertaken done by identifying what is already known and providing new insights into where the own research may contribute (indicative literature requirements are presented below),
  • arrive at a clear and well substantiated conclusion and discuss offer persuasive implications, and
  • reflect critically on the quality of the answers produced, and
  • present the entire analysis in a clear and coherent manner.
Examination
Free Paper (15 ECTS):
Exam ECTS 15
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 40 pages
The hand-in deadline
Spring semester: 1st September
Autumn semester: 1st March
Assignment type Report
Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and second internal examiner
Exam period Winter and Summer
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

Supervision

Supervisors to be chosen by students from available faculty, based on list posted on my.cbs.dk. For a 15 ECTS paper the amount of supervision hours is 8 hours. For students writing together, the amount of available supervision is 10 hours, including the teacher’s time for preparation and grading.

 

Literature

To be agreed between student and supervisor.

 

Requirements

 

There is not one standard template for a Free Paper in IBP. Students make their own choices – in consultation with their supervisors – on research design, the use of theory, methodology, and data.  All papers, however, must have a clear research question. 

 

Papers can be theory-driven as well as evidence-driven, and the methodology can be deductive as well as inductive. However, a theoretical element is required. Thus, papers should support or challenge existing theory or practice. Students may achieve this objective by:

 

-  contributing to an understanding of theories,

 

-  using theory to explain a real-life phenomenon, 

 

-  initiating a search for new ideas by carefully delineating a novel type of problem, or

 

-  discussing the theoretical implications of empirical findings,

 

Students are advised not to engage in large scale collection of primary data, and generally they should discuss the scope of the paper with their supervisors. If a study appears unfeasible for reasons of method, funding, time or any other structural constraint, then the student is advised to revisit the question(s) that have been posed in an effort to ensure a close fit between the method and the focus of the study. 

 

Papers must meet the paper length requirements specified in the table below. Note that the number of pages refers to the standard CBS definition that includes an STU (standard typographical unit) or taps count and some further specifications. 

 

There is also a requirement for independent reading. This is 1000 pages and refers to the reading of material that is not part of the set curriculum for the IBP programme. This requirement is indicative and the way it is met is part of the assessment criteria.  

 

 

 

 

Description of the teaching methods
The paper is independently written under the guidance and supervision of a staff member. The character of the supervision process is to be agreed between the staff member and the student.

For a 15 ECTS paper the total amount of supervision is 8 hours (including staff time for preparation and grading.)
Feedback during the teaching period
Report and research paper supervision should always be a two-way process. Students are encouraged to seek feedback on their work by maintaining contact with their supervisor on a regular basis and preparing in advance for supervision sessions by drawing up an agenda listing questions or issues for meetings or discussions.
Student workload
Preparation time (readings, group work etc.) 278 hours
Exam (incl. preparation for the exam and actual exam period) 138 hours
Last updated on 03-02-2022