Bachelor
2026/2027
Research Seminar "Advanced Acadеmic Writing"
Type:
Compulsory course (International Programme 'International Relations and Global Studies')
Delivered by:
Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs
When:
2 year, 1, 2 module
Open to:
students of one campus
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
24
Course Syllabus
Abstract
This course advances second-year IR students’ academic and professional writing skills.While the first-year course focused on the buildingblocks of academic texts, including effective paragraphs and other individual components, this course teaches students to integrate these elements into complete, coherent texts. Students learn to identify, developm and support arguments, organize evidence, construct casual explanations, synthesize scholary liteature, and identify research and policy gaps.
The course also develops practical communication skills through grant proposals, needs assessments, cost-benifit analysis, and public-facing texts. An important component of the course is learning to use large language models ethically, critically, and professionally. .Students use large language models critically and strategically for research organization, prompt refinement, professional simulations, and revision while maintaining academic integrity and independent judgment.
Learning Objectives
- develop students’ ability to construct causal mechanisms and process-tracing explanations; strengthen the synthesis and thematic organization of scholarly literature; improve cohesion, logical flow, clarity, and concision in complex analytical writing; introduce needs assessments and cost-benefit analysis as tools for evaluating international policy problems; develop competence in professional IR formats, including grant proposals and MEMCONs; prepare students to communicate specialized research effectively to both expert and general audiences; advance students’ critical and responsible use of LLMs through meta-prompting, verification, and professional simulations; connect academic writing competencies with future internships and careers in International Relations.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Be able to produce advanced academic and professional texts addressing IR issues
- Be able to develop causal explanations, synthesize scholarly debates, identify research and policy needs, and compare alternative solutions using appropriate analytical criteria
- Be able to prepare grant proposals, needs assessments, cost-benefit analyses, and MEMCONs
- Be able to adapt technical material for non-specialist audiences
- Be able to use AI tools strategically, critically, and ethically
Course Contents
- Casual Inferneces: Process Tracing
- Synthesizing Scholarship: The Literature Review
- Advanced Cohesion & Logical Flow
- Identifying Gaps: Needs Assesment
- Analytical Tools: Cost/Benefit Analysis
- The Art of De-Cluttering & Module 1 Test
- Securing Resources: Grant Writing
- Advanced AI: Meta-prompting
- IR Scenarios: Professional Role-playing
- Bridging the Gap: Writing for Lay Audiences
- Professional Reporting: MEMCONs
- Synthesis & Module 2 Test
Assessment Elements
- ParticipationStudents are expected to participate actively and meaningfully in seminar discussions, group work, peer feedback, and in-class writing activities. Attendance alone does not count as participation. Responses that are purely formal, superficial, or do not demonstrate engagement with the task or course material may not be counted.
- Module Test 1Students complete a test at the end of each module. Each test assesses the concepts and writing skills covered in that module through short theoretical and practical tasks. The two module tests are weighted equally and together constitute 25% of the final grade.
- Module test 2Students complete a test at the end of each module. Each test assesses the concepts and writing skills covered in that module through short theoretical and practical tasks. The two module tests are weighted equally and together constitute 25% of the final grade.
- Final ExamThe final oral examination is an individual 15-minute examination consisting of two parts. Part 1: Discussion of the Written Assessment The student briefly explains the central argument and organization of their Integrated Analytical Essay. The examiner asks follow-up questions about the use of sources, causal reasoning, connections between sections, and revisions made during the writing process. Students are not expected to memorize or repeat the essay. They should demonstrate that they understand their argument and can explain their writing decisions. Part 2: Practical Writing Analysis The student receives a short passage related to an International Relations topic and identifies problems with its argumentation, synthesis, causal reasoning, cohesion, clarity, or concision. The student explains why these problems reduce the effectiveness of the text and proposes specific improvements.
- Written Assessment: Integrated Analytical EssayStudents will write an individual analytical essay of 1,500–1,800 words on a contemporary International Relations issue. The assignment builds on the paragraph-level writing skills developed in the first-year course. Its purpose is to assess students’ ability to connect individual paragraphs and sources into a complete, coherent, and well-supported argument. Students will select a topic from a list provided by the instructor or propose a topic for approval. The essay must: introduce a focused question or problem; present a clear central argument; organize the discussion into logically connected sections and paragraphs; synthesize ideas from at least four credible academic sources; explain at least one causal relationship or mechanism relevant to the selected issue; consider one alternative explanation or counterargument; conclude by summarizing the argument and explaining its significance. Students will also submit: a 150–200-word summary for a general audience; a reference list; a brief AI-use statement explaining whether and how AI tools were used and how any AI-generated information was checked.
Interim Assessment
- 2026/2027 1st moduleModule Test 1 along with the Module 2 are weighted equally and together constitute 25% of the final grade.
- 2026/2027 2nd moduleGrading Formula: Final Exam (30%) + Participation (25%) + Module Tests (25%) + Written Assessment (20%)
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Academic writing : a handbook for international students, Bailey, S., 2011
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Schmidt, D. E. (2018). Writing in Political Science : A Practical Guide (Vol. Fifth edition). New York: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2001095