Dissertation
| Module title | Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Module code | HAP3000 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Professor Jamie Hampson (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 10 | 10 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 100 |
|---|
Module description
The dissertation module equips you with ability to design and carry out independent research on a specific research topic in History and/or Politics and International Relations – with the support from an academic supervisor – resulting in a dissertation.
Each dissertation is a unique research project shaped by your own research interests and ideas and compliant with the standards or rigour and validity of academic research. Hence, there is art and skill to competing a dissertation. It helps developing deep discipline-specific knowledge and valuable transferable skills, including project and time management, engaging with feedback, research, data analysis, critical thinking and communication skills.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to equip you with necessary knowledge and skills to conduct your own dissertation research in History and/or Politics and International Relations using a series of dissertation lectures and workshops, as well as supervision meetings with a supervisor. These sessions will cover the research process and basics of research design, and other topics essential for your dissertation project. Overall, the module will enable you to conduct your independent research to address a research question of your choice in a rigorous, ethical and competent manner, thus, making you an expert in this research topic.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Develop your own research project in History and/or Politics and International Relations (approved by a dissertation supervisor)
- 2. Analyse a specific research topic in the field of History and/or Politics and International Relations in detail
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of and ability to critique the appropriate literatures
- 4. Engage in primary and secondary data in an ethical and rigorous manner
- 5. Conduct dissertation research in line with the disciplinary standards of rigour and validity
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Demonstrate a high standard of presentation and writing skills
- 7. Manage and plan work time effectively over a lengthy period
- 8. Engage with and integrate feedback into own research
Syllabus plan
Dissertation lectures and workshops cover basics of the research process and of research design and methodology, strategies for working with academic literature and structuring a dissertation, as well as tips on dissertation writing, focusing specifically on disciplines of History, Politics and International Relations.
Each dissertation student is assigned a dissertation supervisor from within HASS-Cornwall academic staff. During meetings with your supervisor, they will offer advice and guidance on specific research projects conducted by students, including feedback on example of writing, research questions, etc.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | 287 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 3 | Meetings with a dissertation supervisor |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 10 | Dissertation lectures and workshops |
| Guided independent study | 287 | Researching your dissertation topic, conducting and writing up your dissertation research project |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annotated bibliography | 1,000 words | 1-8 | Verbal and written |
| Writing example | 1,500 words | 1-8 | Verbal and written |
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 | 8,000 words | 1-8 | Written |
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 (8,000 words) | Dissertation (8,000 words) | 1-8 | August/September reassessment period |
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 redo the assessment(s) as defined above. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Bryman, A. (2021). Social Research Methods. 6th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Clark, T., Foster, L., & Bryman, A. (2019). How to do your Social Research Project or Dissertation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Greetham, B. (2014). How to Write Your Undergraduate Dissertation. London: Palgrave.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 30 |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 03/03/2025 |
| Last revision date | 29/07/2025 |
