Master's Thesis
Code: 43663 ECTS Credits: 9| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4315658 Social Policy and Community Action | OB | 0 | A |
Contact
- Name:
- Carolina Alejandra Muņoz Mendoza
- Email:
- carolina.munoz@uab.cat
Teaching groups languages
To check the language/s of instruction, you must click on "Methodolody" section of the course guide.
Prerequisites
The prerequisites for taking the Master's Final Work Module is to have previously done all the other modules of the Master's Degree, that is, modules 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Objectives and Contextualisation
The objective of the Master's Thesis (TFM) is the implementation of the lessons learned in the Master's degree allowing the student to develop an investigation based on a specific experience or case study, which addresses some of the content provided in The development of the Master.
Competences
- Analyse social policies from a macro and micro perspective, identifying interdependent relations between social problems and policies at different levels of government.
- Apply theoretical knowledge acquired to analyse specific cases, problems and social conflicts to define operational objectives oriented towards community action.
- Communicate and justify conclusions clearly and unambiguously to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Continue the learning process, to be able to work autonomously.
- Critically reflect on the criteria on self-achievement, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
- Design and carry out a research project and/or social or community intervention putting into practice acquired analytical capacities and methods.
- Integrate knowledge and use it to make judgements in complex situations, with incomplete information, while keeping in mind social and ethical responsibilities.
- Make efficient use of information and communication technologies in the acquisition and transmission of knowledge.
- Solve problems in new or little-known situations within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of study.
- Understand and apply participative methodologies oriented towards community action.
- Use theoretical, methodological and epistemological resources to analyse and respond to new social problems from a local and integrated focus giving a role to the organisations involved (public administrations, social bodies and movements).
- Work in teams, generating synergies that promote collaborative working, the definition of responsibilities and the coordination of tasks.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply and justify the research techniques and methods used in the Master's Degree Final project.
- Communicate and justify conclusions clearly and unambiguously to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Continue the learning process, to be able to work autonomously.
- Critically reflect on the criteria on self-achievement, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
- Describe the relationship between local problems identified within the research framework of the Final Master's Degree project with the local policies and problems.
- Include in the Final Master's Degree project report an analysis of a topic or problem reflecting a certain territorial context offering solutions or guidance for action to the actors involved.
- Include in the conclusions of the Final Master's Degree project a propositional dimension with operative solutions.
- Integrate knowledge and use it to make judgements in complex situations, with incomplete information, while keeping in mind social and ethical responsibilities.
- Justify the use of the methodology used in the analysis of cases within the framework of the planned research in the Master's Degree Final project.
- Make efficient use of information and communication technologies in the acquisition and transmission of knowledge.
- Select and apply the research techniques necessary for the collection, analysis and presentation of the empirical material of a qualitative nature.
- Solve problems in new or little-known situations within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of study.
- Use participative methods to carry our research or an intervention proposal for the Final Master's Degree project.
- Work in teams, generating synergies that promote collaborative working, the definition of responsibilities and the coordination of tasks.
Content
The students will carry out an investigation or intervention proposal, based on the deepening of one of the case visits, or on the basis of a theme chosen by the students around social policies or community actions, on which they must carry out an approximation real and field work for research.
Methodology
The teaching methodology combines in a central way the collective tutoring in small groups, the realization of seminars, the realization of an investigation or intervention proposal by the student, the realization of the memory of the TFM and the continuous monitoring and supervision by part of the tutor.
Students will be distributed in small groups of 4 to 6 people, according to thematic preferences or orientations of the research / intervention proposals of the TFM, and a tutor will be assigned to them.
This tutor will guide the students' work and encourage the exchange between them, thematic seminars, etc.
Students in this space of exchange and supervision should be presented progress in their work, according to the guideline indicated by the tutor.
Finally, students must write a final draft of the TFM, to contrast with the tutor, prior to its presentation as a final document. Once the document has been validated by the tutor, he must present the final version and defend it orally before the corresponding tribal.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Seminars, practical group exercises in the classroom and debates | 22.5 | 0.9 | 1, 6, 9, 8, 12, 2, 3, 7, 4, 5, 11, 14, 10, 13 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Tutorials | 32.5 | 1.3 | 1, 6, 9, 8, 12, 2, 3, 7, 4, 5, 11, 14, 10, 13 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Reading articles / chapters book / reports of interest and visualization of audiovisual material | 70 | 2.8 | 1, 6, 9, 8, 12, 2, 3, 7, 4, 5, 11, 14, 10, 13 |
Assessment
The work is described as follows:
The written memory of the TFM will be assessed taking into account the following criteria:
- Objectives and hypothesis, questions or contributions of new knowledge of the work: opportunity of the subject, originality, exposition of the objectives and the hypotheses, questions or contributions of new knowledge.
- Methodology and sources: adequate and extensive bibliography, collection of correct data.
- Content: analysis of rigorous data, adequate theoretical framework, contribution and innovation of work, importance of results.
- Formal aspects: careful writing, correct presentation, footnotes, bibliographical references in accordance with the rules.
- Process that the student has followed in his elaboration: the capacity of work and the resolution of difficulties, the planning and punctuality in the deliveries of the tasks.
It will also be necessary to make an oral defense of the work done before a court that will assess the written work and the ability of the student to expose and communicate the work taking into account the following criteria:
- The structure of the presentation and speech.
- The use of resources used.
- Orality and empathy, the right answer to the questions.
- The demonstration of knowledge and mastery of the topic analyzed.
- Time management available.
- The adequacy and opportunity of the subject.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written report of the TFM and oral defense before an evaluation tribunal | 100% | 100 | 4 | 1, 6, 9, 8, 12, 2, 3, 7, 4, 5, 11, 14, 10, 13 |
Bibliography
- Della Porta and Keating (eds.) (2008) Approaches and Methodologies in the Social Sciences. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, particularment les pàgines 296-315
- Yin, R. (2003) Case Study Research. Design and Methods. Londres: Sage. Especialment, les pàgines 1-56
Software
No software is required.