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Faculty of Management, Economics and Social SciencesLehrstuhl für Politische Theorie und Ideengeschichte
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Leidhold

Papers & Presentations

When writing a paper for a course at the chair for political theory and history of ideas, please follow the guidlines below.

Please note the guidlines of your examination office as well.
 

1. Formalia

Your paper consists of the following component:

  • Title page
  • Table of contents
  • Text of the paper (with structuring subheadings)
  • Bibliography
  • if needed: Appendix
  • Declaration of independence (signed).

Please hand in your paper in both digital and physical form.
 

2. Format

  • Font Size: 12pt.
  • Justified print
  • Line spacing: 1.5
  • Left edge: 3cm
  • Right edge: minimum 3cm
  • upper and lower edge: 2.5cm
  • Footnotes:10pt. font size, line spacing: 1.0
     

3. Extent of your paper

The required extend of your seminar paper is set by your lecturer.

Title page, table  of content, bibliography and appendix are excluded.
 

4. Scientific Methods

  • Please use scientific expression in your paper. Use political-scientific terminology and avoid colloquial language.
  • Guidlines for scientific work can be found on the page of the research institute: Recommendations on Scientific Working Techniques.
     

5. Structure

The text of your paper consists of three parts:

  1. Introduction: Research question and subject, approach and methods, embedment of the research question into the scientific field
  2. Main part: Work on the rsearch question/the subject by using the respectively relevant material
  3. Conclusion: Sum-up of the results generated in the main part, outlook on future developments or research possibilities
     

6. Citation & Bibliography

  • Use a consistend citation.
  • The bibliography consists of every used piece of literature in alphabetic order (sorted by author/publisher). It includes all bibliographical information.
     

7. Plagiarism

Regulations at WiSo faculty state that all attemps of deception will be strictly punished.

When working on your paper, please have in mind that if it is (in parts or as a whole) detected as plagiarism, we will need to inform your examination office. In any case, this will lead to penalty points, and can even be punished with a fine.

In order to avoid shortcomings regarding your citation, please note the guidlines of scientific work and citation provided by the research insitute (see above).

You can find information on plagiarism here.
 

8. Title Page

The Title Page should includ the following information:

  • Title of the paper
  • Title of the course/lecture
  • Name of the lecturer
  • Name, adress, and mailing-adress of the author
  • Course of studies and number of semesters
  • Immatriculation number
  • Examination number
  • Date of submission

Here, you can find an example for a title page.
 

9. Declaration of Independence

Please attach the following (signed!) declaration to your paper. Please use the German version, even if your paper is in English language.

"Hiermit versichere ich , dass ich die vorliegende Arbeit selbstständig und ohne die Benutzung anderer als der angegebenen Hilfsmittel angefertigt habe. Alle Stellen, die wörtlich oder sinngemäß aus veröffentlichten und nicht veröffentlichten Schriften entnommen wurden, sind als solche kenntlich gemacht. Ich versichere, dass die eingereichte elektronische Fassung der eingereichten Druckfassung vollständig entspricht."

Translation: "I hereby declare that this term paper is my own work and that I have not used any sources other than those listed in the bibliography. Any content from published or unpublished works that has been quoted directly, indirectly or paraphrased is indicated as such. I assure that the submitted digital version is congruent with the submitted printed version."
 

10. Submission

  • Your lecturer will set the exact time for the submission of your paper.
  • Please hand in a digital and a printed version of your paper.
     

11. Presentation

  • Your presentation should introduce into the specific topic by recoursing on relevant literature and authors, on the historical background, etc.
  • It can include your own reflexions. A discussion-stimulating presentation is desirable.
  • In any case, please prepare a handout for the other participants of the course.
  • The time limit of your presentation will be set   by your lecturer.