040220 SE Seminar Organization and Personnel (MA) (2020W)

Students must prepare written papers (in groups of at most two students) and present them to class. A first draft of the paper has to be handed in one week before presentation. Papers may be revised to create a final version (due at the end of the semester) after presentation. For each paper, two discussants will be assigned who have to prepare a brief (about one page) discussion statement on their colleague's work. Active participation in classroom discussion will also be evaluated.

The total score for the course is therefore based on:

Seminar paper (55%)

Presentation (20%)

Discussion paper (15%)

Active participation in discussions (10%)

All papers submitted will be checked for plagiarism and rules the rules published on our homepage will be strictly enforced.

General information:
(1) The seminar will take place digitally at specified dates and times.
(2) There will be an introductory meeting of this seminar. During this meeting, we will check the topic assignments. Thus, attendance is absolutely necessary.
(3) Seminar papers must use 11 pica letter size and one and half line spacing. Papers must be written in English. They must use appropriate citation and reference rules and obey the general ethical principles of scientific work. Students consult the online course directory for information on due-days and deadlines. PDF copies of the seminar papers must be send to the OPIM’s office (to the hands of Ms Elke Pendl, elke.pendl@univie.ac.at) via email.
(4) Presentation: If two students are assigned to the same topic, they must coordinate on a joint presentation. The “working language” during seminar sessions is English. The maximum time per presentation is 45 minutes for a single presenter and one hour for a joint presentation. The sequence of presentations strictly follows the numbering of topics in the list above. Students are expected to prepare supporting slides and/or hand-outs and to speak “freely” during their presentations.
(5) Every student must individually submit a seminar paper. The seminar paper contains:
- A brief introduction of the seminar’s main theme and line of discussion;
- Sections of one to (maximum) one and half page length which provide an “executive summary” of the classroom presentation, discussion, and base articles (see the above list of papers). The latter constitutes the only source of information if, for whatever reason, a topic cannot be presented and discussed in class.
- A brief concluding section which summarizes the student’s understanding of the seminar discussions.
- A reference list.
Please notice: Any type of copying, including copying from fellow students’ presentation slides and/or seminar papers, constitutes misconduct and will result in receiving the no-pass grade “X”. Direct citations from original scientific work which are properly marked constitute the only exceptions from this rule.
(6) Students are expected to prepare for class. They are required to actively participate in the classroom discussions and should be aware that the lecturer can call upon them for comments at any time during the seminar. In particular, they can be asked to introduce the session’s topic as it relates to the seminar’s general theme.
(7) Complete attendance of each session of the seminar, including the preparatory meeting, is obligatory. Absolutely no exceptions apply. In case, internet problems prevent the student’s participation, they are required to provide their log-on protocol as proof. Leaves will only be granted in cases of illnesses or if the person demanding a leave is required to participate in an official activity of the University, Faculty, or Institute. In the first case, the doctor’s medical certificate must be presented to the OPIM immediately (i. e. latest by the first working day following the absence day). Failure to comply with this rule leads to a no-pass grade. Passing grades can generally not be earned by students who miss more than 10% of the total class-time.