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MA Dissertation

Module description

This module will start with an introductory lecture by the module convenor who is also the tutor of all MA students of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies and will work with you on finding a supervisor for your dissertation. Then you will produce your dissertation with the help of your supervisor and your research skills acquired during your programme including ARAM190 Research Methods Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies or ARAM233 Dissertation skills modules which area co-requisite for this module. This dissertation is the largest project and the culmination of your programme. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module allows you to pursue an individual research project within your chosen field, building on the methodological and field-specific foundations covered in your 1st semester intensive methodology and core courses and continuing in your 2nd semester MA coursework. MA students will be expected to develop and demonstrate in their dissertation a mastery of relevant secondary sources in their field; to relate the appropriate standard methodological approaches and theoretical issues to their specific area of research; to demonstrate the originality and relevance of their research to wider issues related to their specific field; and to demonstrate their familiarity with the accepted requirements and standards for presentation of research in their chosen field. In addition, the dissertation will allow them to develop the broader learning outcomes specified below.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Demonstrate familiarity with the specific academic fields relevant to the chosen dissertation topic, with regard to your field's particular methods; relevant bibliographies and secondary literature (in the student's available languages); and the current state of issues and problems in the relevant fields

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 2. Present your research results in an appropriate form, respecting the appropriate norms and procedures of your respective field(s)
• 3. Analyse, synthesize and present thoughtful and persuasive arguments relating to your particular research project

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 4. Identify, analyse and creatively approach issues relevant to your chosen fields
• 5. Structure and present effective, extended arguments and interpretations in ways consistent with the norms and procedures of your respective field(s) (including all the field-specific forms of methodology, reference, citation, etc.).
• 6. Relate your independent research to the wider methodological issues and approaches of the relevant fields.

Syllabus plan

In Term 1, students are given an introductory lecture by the module leader. Subsequently, they will outline a dissertation topic and will be allocated an MA thesis supervisor. In Term 1 and 2, the pre-requisite ARAM190 Research Methods Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies module introduces students to the requirements and scope of the dissertation, including the dissertation proposal.

In the summer term students will carry out Independent, guided research and writing of the MA dissertation (15,000 words) in consultation with their approved MA thesis supervisors on a research topic chosen by the student, in mutual agreement with his/her MA thesis supervisor. Students will submit drafts of each chapter to their supervisor for correction prior to final submission of the dissertation.

Assessment of the MA dissertation by the supervisor and a qualified second reader will be based on the dissertation's fulfilment of the above-mentioned aims relevant to each student's particular field(s) of study (i.e., mastery of relevant sources, methods, theoretical issues, originality of research, and solidity of presentation), as well as appropriate conformity to all University and field-specific requirements for presentation and referencing in the particular field of the dissertation.

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)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

Will differ according to each student's dissertation project.

Key words search

Dissertation