Master of Science by Coursework in Social Science of the Internet (Part-time)

Differences from 2016/17 to 2021/22

  • 1. Candidates must follow for six terms a course of instruction in Social Science of the Internet.

    2. The examination will be in eleven parts, normally split over two years as follows:

    • (i) First year:

      • Part 1:  Compulsory core methods paper in Digital Social Research Methods: Methods Core assessed by written coursework. Details of and arrangements for submission of the written coursework shall be notified to candidates by the end of 4th week of Michaelmas Term.

      • Parts 3-4: Two methods option modules, to be chosen from a list to be published on the Oxford Internet Institute annually by the first Monday of Michaelmas Term. Students will normally select one module from the first four-week period and one module from the second four-week period of the list.  Not all methods options may be available every year. The methods option papers will be assessed by arrangements which are specified in the reading lists for each module, details and arrangements for submission of which shall be notified to candidates by the first Monday of Michaelmas Term.

      • Part 7: Compulsory core paper in ‘Social Dynamics of the Internet’, assessed by examination.

        Part 9: One option paper, to be chosen from a list to be published on the Oxford Internet Institute website annually by the first Monday of Michaelmas Term or another paper agreed by the Director of Graduate Studies. Not all options may be available every year. The option papers will be assessed by arrangements which are specified in the reading lists for each paper, details of and arrangements for submission of which shall be notified to candidates by the first Monday of Michaelmas Term.

    • In addition, students will be required to write a 2,000 word thesis proposal during Trinity Term and the long vacation, to be submitted by noon on Friday of Week 4 of Michaelmas Term of their second year. Students wishingwill give a formal presentation of their thesis proposal and will receive written formative feedback from a member of faculty other than their supervisor.

      (ii) Second year:

      • Part 2: Compulsory core paper in ‘Digital Social Research Methods: Statistics Core’ assessed by examinations.

      • Parts 5-6: One further methods option module, to takebe morechosen than two options duringfrom a singlelist yearto mustbe published on the Oxford Internet Institute website annually by the first seekMonday permissionof fromMichaelmas Term or another paper agreed by the Director of Graduate Studies. Not all methods options may be available every year. The methods option papers will be assessed by arrangements which are specified in the reading lists for each module, details and arrangements for submission of which shall be notified to candidates by the first Monday of Michaelmas Term.

      •  Part 78: Compulsory core paper in ‘Social‘Internet DynamicsTechnologies ofand the Internet’Regulation’, assessed by examination.

         Part 9: One option paper, to be chosen from a list to be published on the Oxford Internet Institute website annually by the first Monday of Michaelmas Term. Not all options may be available every year. The option papers will be assessed by arrangements which are specified in the reading lists for each paper,details of and arrangements for submission of which shall be notified to candidates by the first Monday of Michaelmas Term.

    • In addition, students will be required to write a 2,000 word thesis proposal during Trinity Term and the long vacation, to be submitted by noon on Monday of week 1 of their second year. Students will give a formal presentation of their thesis proposal and will receive written formative feedback from a member of faculty other than their supervisor.

      (ii) Second year:

      • Part 2: Compulsory core paper in ‘Digital Social Research Methods: Statistics Core’ assessed by examinations.

      • Parts 5-6: Two further methods option modules, to be chosen from a list to be published on the Oxford Internet Institute annually by the first Monday of Michaelmas Term. Students will normally select one module from the first four-week period and one module from the second four-week period of the list. Students wishing to take more than two options during a single year must first seek permission from the Director of Graduate Studies. Not all methods options may be available every year. The methods option papers will be assessed by arrangements which are specified in the reading lists for each module, details and arrangements for submission of which shall be notified to candidates by the first Monday of Michaelmas Term.

      •  Part 8:Compulsory core paper in ‘Internet Technologies and Regulation’, assessed by examination.

         Part 10: One further option paper, to be chosen from a list to be published on the Oxford Internet Institute website annually by the first Monday of Michaelmas Term or another paper agreed by the Director of Graduate Studies. Not all options may be available every year. The option papers will be assessed by   arrangements which are specified in the reading lists for each paper, details of and arrangements for submission of which shall be notified to candidates by the first Monday of Michaelmas Term.

         Part 11: A thesis   not to exceed 15,000 words on a topic within the subject of the course, to be specified jointly by supervisor and student, and approved by the   director of the course and the Board of Examiners. The thesis must be submitteduploaded viato WebLearnthe University approved online assessment platform by noon of the weekday on or nearest to the 1st of August of the year in which the degree is to be taken. 

  • 3.  Prerequisite conditions for papers will be notified to candidates by the first Monday of Michaelmas Term and must be obeyed at all times.

    4. Under exceptional circumstances, with permission from the Director of Graduate Studies, students may elect to delay until the second year an examination that would normally take place during the first year, or may elect to sit during the first year an examination that would normally take place during the second year (provided the student is able to meet all prerequisites for the paper). No changes to the normal examination sequence will be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies that would result in more than 70% of the non-thesis marks being examined in a single year.

  • 5. All written assignments must be uploaded to the courseUniversity WebLearnapproved siteonline assessment platform by the times and dates specified at the start of the course. Each submission must be accompanied by a declaration indicating that it is the candidates own work.

  • 46.  The examiners may examine any candidate viva voce.

  • 5.The examiners may award a Distinction for excellence in the whole examination on the basis of the material submitted to them.