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Dissertation

Module description

This module gives you the opportunity to pursue an independent research project on a topic of your choice in the field of Classics and Ancient History, and to write up your research in an extended dissertation. Enrolment on this module in your final year of study is subject to submission of preliminary materials (listed below, under ‘syllabus plan’ and ‘formative assessment’) in the previous academic year, and approval of them by the module convenor (dissertation coordinator). The decision to write a dissertation should not be taken lightly: before enrolling on this module, please consider whether you possess an adequate degree of independent learning skills as well as writing skills and time management skills.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module will allow you to carry out independent research in a sustained way on a topic of your choice (with advice) and to present the findings of your research in an extended piece of analytical writing in academic prose.

Although you will work for the most part independently, each dissertation will be supervised by a member of staff, to be assigned by the module convenor. Your supervisor will read and comment on drafts, giving advice on the style, the argument and directions for further investigation. It will be your responsibility to liaise with your supervisor and keep them posted about the progress of your work. It is envisaged that you will arrange at least four meetings with your supervisor, including one shortly after your project is assigned to them. In addition to this 1-to-1 supervision, you will receive general advice and guidance on how to conduct research suitable to an UG dissertation, and how to write up and present a suitable UG dissertation, in two plenary sessions led by the module convenor.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Identify a suitable topic in Classics and Ancient History and relevant research questions
• 2. Carry out independent research

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Think creatively and independently
• 4. Design and articulate a sustained written argument
• 5. Evaluate critically existing literature
• 6. Collate and analyse data from a range of different sources

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Work independently
• 8. Plan and carry out work over a longer timescale.

Syllabus plan

You should start planning your dissertation work in the academic year prior to enrolment on the dissertation module. Over the course of that year, you will be asked to:

• Attend an informative session about CLA3009 (generally in the first half of Term 2).
• Submit a formal expression of interest (generally by the end of Term 2), stating which topic you would like to work on (in broad and general terms) and why (motivation is crucial when embarking on a dissertation project). Your choice of topic is not binding at this stage.
• Submit a short preliminary draft of research proposal (generally in May), showing that you have been giving some thought to your preliminary idea, or to a new idea.
• Consult with a member of staff over Term 3 (between May and August), in order to expand on your preliminary idea and proposal. The dissertation coordinator will recommend a potential advisor.
• Submit your full dissertation proposal shortly before the beginning of your final academic year. This proposal should be endorsed by the member of staff consulted in the previous weeks (and who may or may not become your supervisor, depending on their workload and availability).

Subject to completion of all these steps, your proposal will be assessed by the module convenor and the Director of Education and Student Experience at the beginning of Term 1 of your final academic year. If your project is deemed viable, it will be assigned to a supervisor within the department and you will be able to start working on your dissertation.

There will be two plenary sessions for/with all CLA3009 students, one in Term 1 and another in Term 2, which will focus on how to conduct successful research for your dissertation and how to prepare your work for submission in May. A further summative assessment point is set for the end of Term 1 (submission of research portfolio).

Please refer to the Classics & Ancient History Dissertation Handbook for further information. Please note that dissertations are regarded as examinable components and, as such, feedback to your final submission will not be available until after the exam board has met.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

To be agreed between you and your supervisor.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE 
  

Key words search

Dissertation; Classics; Ancient History; Research project; Independent research