Master's Seminar WP-PR-SEM-4MWi
The seminar develops the research skills needed to prepare an independent master's thesis in criminal procedure and related legal fields.
Classes cover:
1. Selecting and refining a topic and assessing its feasibility.
2. Formulating the research problem and questions, defining the research scope and choosing methods.
3. Developing a thesis structure and research schedule.
4. Finding, organising and critically evaluating legislation, case law and scholarship.
5. Analysing a selected legal issue, comparing positions and justifying independent conclusions.
6. Drafting academic texts, using legal terminology, and preparing citations and bibliographies.
7. Preparing a basic draft legislative provision and a draft legal decision, with reasons for the proposed solutions.
8. Presenting research progress, answering questions and participating in discussions.
9. Preparing a brief written summary and an oral presentation in a chosen foreign language.
10. Identifying dilemmas of legal professions related to the issues under examination.
11. Cooperating within the seminar group, providing constructive feedback and using justified comments.
In the winter semester, students select a topic and prepare an initial research proposal covering the problem, questions, scope and methods. They develop a preliminary thesis outline, bibliography and a short analytical paper on a selected issue related to the thesis topic. The paper demonstrates legal analysis, argumentation and referencing skills; it does not have to constitute a finished thesis chapter.
In the summer semester, students develop and review their research proposal, update the outline and bibliography, and prepare a coherent thesis section containing legal analysis and reasoned conclusions. They build on the materials and findings from the winter semester and revise their work in response to the supervisor's comments and seminar discussions.
Completion of the entire master's thesis is not required in the fourth year. The scope, length and deadlines of assessed materials are agreed at the beginning of each semester, taking account of the topic and research stage.
All stages require independent work, academic integrity, respect for authorship and accurate referencing, as well as compliance with the thesis requirements applicable at UKSW and its Faculty of Law and Administration.
(in Polish) Dyscyplina naukowa, do której odnoszą się efekty uczenia się
(in Polish) E-Learning
Term 2019/20_L: (in Polish) E-Learning z podziałem na grupy | Term 2020/21_Z: (in Polish) E-Learning (pełny kurs) z podziałem na grupy | Term 2021/22_L: (in Polish) E-Learning (pełny kurs) z podziałem na grupy | Term 2021/22_Z: (in Polish) E-Learning (pełny kurs) z podziałem na grupy | Term 2022/23_L: (in Polish) E-Learning (pełny kurs) z podziałem na grupy | Term 2022/23_Z: (in Polish) E-Learning (pełny kurs) z podziałem na grupy | Term 2023/24_L: (in Polish) E-Learning (pełny kurs) z podziałem na grupy | Term 2023/24_Z: (in Polish) E-Learning (pełny kurs) z podziałem na grupy | Term 2024/25_L: (in Polish) E-Learning (pełny kurs) z podziałem na grupy | Term 2024/25_Z: (in Polish) E-Learning (pełny kurs) z podziałem na grupy |
(in Polish) Grupa przedmiotów ogólnouczenianych
Course coordinators
(in Polish) Opis nakładu pracy studenta w ECTS
Term 2025/26_L: Seminar attendance – 30 hours.
Developing and reviewing the research proposal, questions, methods and thesis outline – 25 hours.
Finding, analysing and updating scholarship, case law and legislative sources – 55 hours.
Preparing a coherent thesis section containing legal analysis, arguments, conclusions and references to sources – 55 hours.
Drafting a legislative provision and a legal decision with reasons – 10 hours.
Preparing a presentation of research findings, a brief written summary and an oral presentation in a foreign language – 10 hours.
Preparing feedback for other participants and revising the student's own materials in response to the supervisor's comments and discussions – 15 hours.
Total student workload: 200 hours.
Including: 30 hours of seminar attendance and 170 hours of independent work.
ECTS credits: 8.
Conversion applied: 1 ECTS credit = 25 hours of student work. | Term 2025/26_Z: Seminar attendance – 30 hours.
Selecting and refining the topic, formulating the research problem and questions, and choosing methods – 30 hours.
Finding and analysing scholarship, case law and legislative sources – 50 hours.
Preparing a preliminary thesis outline, bibliography and research schedule – 20 hours.
Preparing a short analytical paper and revising it in response to feedback – 40 hours.
Drafting a legislative provision and a legal decision with reasons – 10 hours.
Preparing a presentation of the research proposal, a brief written summary and an oral presentation in a foreign language – 10 hours.
Preparing for discussions of other participants' work and providing feedback – 10 hours.
Total student workload: 200 hours.
Including: 30 hours of seminar attendance and 170 hours of independent work.
ECTS credits: 8.
Conversion applied: 1 ECTS credit = 25 hours of student work. | Term 2026/27_L: Seminar attendance – 30 hours.
Developing and reviewing the research proposal, questions, methods and thesis outline – 25 hours.
Finding, analysing and updating scholarship, case law and legislative sources – 55 hours.
Preparing a coherent thesis section containing legal analysis, arguments, conclusions and references to sources – 55 hours.
Drafting a legislative provision and a legal decision with reasons – 10 hours.
Preparing a presentation of research findings, a brief written summary and an oral presentation in a foreign language – 10 hours.
Preparing feedback for other participants and revising the student's own materials in response to the supervisor's comments and discussions – 15 hours.
Total student workload: 200 hours.
Including: 30 hours of seminar attendance and 170 hours of independent work.
ECTS credits: 8.
Conversion applied: 1 ECTS credit = 25 hours of student work. | Term 2026/27_Z: Seminar attendance – 30 hours.
Selecting and refining the topic, formulating the research problem and questions, and choosing methods – 30 hours.
Finding and analysing scholarship, case law and legislative sources – 50 hours.
Preparing a preliminary thesis outline, bibliography and research schedule – 20 hours.
Preparing a short analytical paper and revising it in response to feedback – 40 hours.
Drafting a legislative provision and a legal decision with reasons – 10 hours.
Preparing a presentation of the research proposal, a brief written summary and an oral presentation in a foreign language – 10 hours.
Preparing for discussions of other participants' work and providing feedback – 10 hours.
Total student workload: 200 hours.
Including: 30 hours of seminar attendance and 170 hours of independent work.
ECTS credits: 8.
Conversion applied: 1 ECTS credit = 25 hours of student work. |
Subject level
Learning outcome code/codes
Type of subject
Preliminary Requirements
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the student:
W01 – characterises the sources and nature of legal norms relevant to the master's thesis topic and explains the significance of changes in those norms for the research problem (PR_W02).
U01 – formulates the research problem and questions, defines the research scope and selects methods appropriate for analysing the chosen legal issue, drawing on theoretical knowledge (PR_U02).
U02 – develops a thesis outline and bibliography and prepares a text containing legal analysis, reasoned conclusions and accurate references to sources: a short analytical paper in the winter semester and a coherent thesis section in the summer semester; prepares a brief summary of that text in a chosen foreign language (PR_U02, PR_U07).
U03 – prepares, as a workshop assignment, a basic draft legislative provision and a draft legal decision related to the seminar topics, and justifies the proposed solutions (PR_U08).
U04 – prepares and delivers an oral presentation of the research problem and work in progress, answers questions and justifies their position; presents a brief summary in a chosen foreign language (PR_U09).
K01 – is prepared to assess their own knowledge critically and update it, particularly by monitoring developments in legislation, case law and scholarship related to the thesis topic (PR_K01).
K02 – is prepared to identify and resolve dilemmas of legal professions arising from the issues examined and to present the results of their own work responsibly (PR_K02).
K03 – is prepared to cooperate within the seminar group, act as presenter and discussant, provide constructive feedback and use other participants' comments to improve their work (PR_K03).
Assessment criteria
Assessment covers outcomes W01, U01–U04 and K01–K03: substantive accuracy, coherence of the research proposal, quality of analysis and argumentation, selection and referencing of sources, independent work, presentation of findings and cooperation within the seminar group.
In the winter semester, students submit an initial research proposal, thesis outline, bibliography and a short analytical paper. In the summer semester, they develop the proposal, update the outline and bibliography, and prepare a coherent thesis section. In both semesters, students also complete workshop assignments, prepare a brief written summary and an oral presentation in a chosen foreign language, and participate in discussions.
Grade 2.0 (fail):
The student does not submit the required materials, or the materials do not demonstrate achievement of all required outcomes at least at a basic level. The student cannot explain their research proposal, makes fundamental errors in legal analysis or fails to demonstrate independent work.
Grade 3.0 (satisfactory):
The student presents a basic, coherent research proposal, outline, bibliography and the text required for the semester. They identify relevant legal sources and formulate basic conclusions. They complete workshop assignments, present findings and participate in discussions. The materials require revision but demonstrate achievement of all outcomes at a basic level.
Grade 3.5 (satisfactory plus):
The student meets the requirements for a satisfactory grade and additionally develops parts of the analysis, selects sources more accurately and provides better justification for proposed solutions. They use feedback from the supervisor and participants, although arguments, structure or editing require further refinement.
Grade 4.0 (good):
The student presents a well-organised research proposal and soundly prepared materials. They select appropriate sources and methods, conduct coherent analysis and justify conclusions. Workshop assignments and presentations are completed correctly. The student develops their work systematically, uses feedback and makes substantive contributions to discussions. Shortcomings do not concern essential elements of the work.
Grade 4.5 (good plus):
The student meets the requirements for a good grade and additionally demonstrates substantial independence, critically compares positions and convincingly justifies proposed solutions. Materials are carefully developed in substance and presentation, while presentations and discussions contribute significantly to the group's work. Only minor shortcomings remain.
Grade 5.0 (very good):
The student presents a mature, feasible research proposal and carefully prepared materials appropriate to the stage of work in the semester. They critically analyse sources, consider opposing positions and formulate independent, convincingly justified conclusions. They complete workshop assignments competently, present findings clearly and answer questions effectively. They demonstrate academic integrity, systematic work and constructive cooperation.
No passing grade in the fourth year requires completion of the entire master's thesis. Passing requires achievement of all required outcomes and completion of the assignments specified for the semester. Detailed assessed materials, scoring and grading arrangements are provided in the class group section for the relevant term.
Practical placement
No work placement is required for this course.
Bibliography
|
Term 2025/26_Z:
See the bibliography in the seminar section under information common to all groups. |
Term 2025/26_L:
See the bibliography in the seminar section under information common to all groups. |
Term 2026/27_Z:
See the bibliography in the seminar section under information common to all groups. |
Term 2026/27_L:
See the bibliography in the seminar section under information common to all groups. |
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: