Dissertation in History
| Module title | Dissertation in History |
|---|---|
| Module code | HISM400 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 60 |
| Module staff | Dr Chris Sandal-Wilson (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 10 | 10 | 6 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
This module allows you to develop and pursue a piece of original research, based on analysis of original sources. With the advice and support of your supervisor you will use the use the skills and knowledge you have acquired in the taught modules to undertake a substantial piece of original research.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module will allow you to pursue an individual programme of research on a research topic of your choosing approved by the module co-ordinator in conjunction with your individual supervisor.
- You will identify a suitable topic for research and produce a plan for its execution
- Complete an extended review of the existing scholarship and key debates surrounding the subject-matter of the dissertation and the field(s) to which it relates
- Identify and collate original and secondary sources related to the topic of research
- Identify and apply appropriate critical and historical methodologies
- Demonstrate your ability to construct a coherent, substantiated and sophisticated argument in both clear and correct prose.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Identify a suitable topic for research, to produce a plan for its execution
- 2. Demonstrate your ability to complete an extended review of the secondary sources and key debates surrounding both the subject-matter of the dissertation and the specialist field to which it relates
- 3. Identify and collate information from original and secondary sources related to the topic of research
- 4. Apply appropriate methodologies
- 5. Demonstrate your ability to draw conclusions based on the analysis of sources gathered
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Demonstrate your ability to assimilate and critically analyse primary and published sources
- 7. Demonstrate your ability to present a clearly structured, logically argued and well written dissertation with a full scholarly apparatus
- 8. Demonstrate your ability to complete a detailed historiographical survey investigating relevant literature and analysing the key debates within the specialist field
- 9. Demonstrate your ability to apply key skills (archival, bibliographical, linguistic, palaeographical) where appropriate
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. Demonstrate the capacity to research a topic independently
- 11. Show the ability to condense large quantities and diverse types of information into coherent argument
Syllabus plan
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 590 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 6 | Individual supervision |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 4 | Group workshops |
| Guided independent study | 590 | Research and writing of dissertation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draft chapter | Up to 25% of word limit | 1-11 | Oral 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 | 15000 words | 1-11 | 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 (15000 words) | Dissertation (100%) | 1-11 | Referral/Deferral 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 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
The dissertation is predicated on independent research agreed between you and your supervisor. While somewhat dependent on research topic, this is likely to require extensive use of web-based archival and library materials as well as consultation of electronic material available online.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Advanced Historical Research Skills module materials; online archival resources, document collections and Library collections of archival materials and published documents.
| Credit value | 60 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 30 |
| Module pre-requisites | HISM016 Advanced Historical Research Skills |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 2000 |
| Last revision date | 17/02/2025 |
