Dissertation
| Module title | Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Module code | SOCM904 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 60 |
| Module staff | Dr Astrid Schrader (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 5 |
|---|
Module description
In this module you will pursue an individual programme of social research, applying appropriate research methodologies and drawing on appropriate materials, to a topic approved by the programme director and under the guidance of an academic supervisor.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The object of the dissertation is to give you the opportunity to display your abilities in the collection, handling and ordering of material, and to be an exercise in the communication of ideas, appropriate to research topics chosen, with help and guidance from members of the academic staff, by themselves. The aims are to afford you the opportunity to obtain a solid knowledge of the issues that pertain to your dissertation topics. It will also develop your ability to explore and present your arguments in relation to empirical data provided by library research and/or fieldwork, where the latter is undertaken.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. In depth knowledge of a specialised subject area in cultural sociology.
- 2. design an individual research programme, incorporating appropriate social science research methods
- 3. collate and analyse subject-specific information from a range of appropriate sources
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. assimilate and critically analyse data from an appropriate range of sources in sociology or anthropology
- 5. develop cogent argument drawing on themes and concepts from sociology or anthropology
- 6. communicate complex information and ideas relating to sociology or anthropology effectively in writing.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. undertake and manage an individual research project
- 8. use IT for information retrieval and presentation
- 9. manage and organize the different phases of the research project from conception to final presentation
- 10. prepare a substantive written presentation of the material and arguments.
Syllabus plan
Number of student-led workshops on 'Dissertation research and writing.'
At least four supervision meetings: one to initiate the dissertation followed by three meetings to give academic guidance including specific feedback on draft work
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 594 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 4 | One-to-one supervision |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 2 | dissertation workshop |
| Guided independent study | 594 | Independent study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial proposal and bibliography | 1500 words | 1-10 | Written and/or oral feedback |
| Dissertation Draft | up to 15,000 words | 1-10 | Written and/or oral feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 100 | 15,000 words | 1-10 | Written and/or oral feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | Dissertation (15,000 words) | 1-10 | Next reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Gary King, Robert O. Keohane, and Sidney Verba, (1994) Designing Social Inquiry, Princeton UP.
Dawn Burton (ed.) (2000), Research Training for Social Scientists: A Handbook for Postgraduate Researchers, Sage.
Brett-Davies, M. (2007) Doing a Successful Research Project. Palgrave
Subject-specific reading will vary according to research topic
| Credit value | 60 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 30 |
| Module pre-requisites | Satisfaction of entry requirements for the MA programme |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2008 |
| Last revision date | 01/02/2024 |
