Assessment of Bachelor Thesis – Opponent
Study programme:International Economic Relations Field of study:International Studies – Diplomacy Academic year:2020/2021
Bachelor Thesis Topic:The Kurdish question: Kurdistan and its relevance within the politics of the Middle East
Author’s name:Filip Šmakal
Ac. Consultant’s Name:Ing. Matthew David Huntley, BSc Opponent:Mgr. Ing. Kateřina Kočí, Ph.D.
Criterion Mark
(1–4)
1. Overall objective achievement 2
2. Logical structure 1
3. Using of literature, citations 2
4. Adequacy of methods used 3
5. Depth of analysis 1
6. Self-reliance of author 2
7. Formal requirements: text, graphs, tables 1
8. Language and stylistics 2
Comments and Questions:
The thesis is very informative and provides interesting data on the topic. In general, the goals are well-defined in the introduction, the structure of the thesis is logical and the flow of the whole text is clear and comprehensible thanks to the high level of the language. This being said, there are also several shortcomings. Particularly, the analysis of the literature and the methodological section are missing. This prevents the author from positioning his topic in the current discussion. Moreover, it creates a gap between the theoretical and empirical sections which are connected often rather superficially. The attempts to connect them are mainly made in the final part of the text, but it would be really helpful to understand the way of collecting data and the method of their further analysis. Also, some segments of the text, be it in the theoretical or empirical section, would benefit from higher diversity of sources. The constructivist theory is thus mostly taken from the article of Sardarnia. Even in the empirical section, the author does not use many primary sources but relies heavily on secondary ones, especially the authors such as Schmidinger or Yusiltas. Finally, the formal requirements are fulfiled, but there are several issues related to the usage of in-text citations: the use of references is inconsistent (sometimes the full name, sometimes only surname), the in-text citations should be included in the sentences (not placed after the full-stop). There are also several language errors (e.g. p. 14, 15, etc.). Overall and despite these shortcomings, I recommend the thesis for defence. My questions for defence are the following: If the prospect of the pan-Kurdish line is improbable, is there at least a possibility of future cooperation between different Kurdish movements?
Could be the development of the Kurdish movement in Iraq used as an example in other regions/states?
Conclusion: The Bachelor Thesis is recommended for the defence.
Suggested Grade: 2
Date: 27/07/2021 Mgr. Ing. Kateřina Kočí, Ph.D.
Opponent
