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Independent Study in Sociology and Philosophy

Module description

This module provides an opportunity for you to explore a topic, text or thinker in depth. In doing so, you will be able follow your own interests and move beyond the material covered in taught modules. At the same time, the module also provides a valuable opportunity for developing research skills that you might use in your dissertation or further research. You will work closely with a supervisor with expertise in your chosen field.  Together with your supervisor, you will design an individual programme of research and schedule of tuition that will help to structure your engagement with your chosen topic and culminate in an extended essay  that functions as an in-depth literature review exploring the current state of the field. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aims of this module are:
To provide you with the opportunity to delve deeply into a particular area of interest, applying appropriate research methodologies and drawing on appropriate materials;
To develop the critical and analytical skills necessary to explore an area of sociology or philosophy that goes beyond topics in taught modules of existing Masters programmes;
To develop goal setting and time management skills in pursuing a personal programme of research;
To enhance writing skills in order to improve dissertation writing

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. critically analyse arguments by in key texts;
• 2. present sophisticated arguments concisely, and to explain difficult points; and an capacity to identify key aspects of a philosophical and theoretical debate.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 3. assimilate and critically analyse data from an appropriate range of sources;
• 4. develop cogent argument;
• 5. communicate complex information and ideas effectively in writing.

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 6. undertake an individual research project in a structured, time-effective fashion;
• 7. locate and use literature effectively;
• 8. construct and evaluate ideas; to formulate and express ideas at different levels of abstraction;
• 9. assess and criticise the views of others; to write at the level required for ongoing and future research.

Syllabus plan

This module allows you to read for an extended essay from a range of research areas in which members of the School have particular expertise. Possible areas of study will be identified in consultation with the staff member. There will be at least five supervision meetings. The first will initiate the research. A study plan will be drawn up at the very beginning of this module. The subsequent supervision meetings will give academic guidance, including specific feedback on draft work.

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

Indicative basic reading list: To be devised for each individual study programme by the student and relevant staff member.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages.

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

Additional resources to be identified by the student as part of the independent study programme.

Key words search

Independent Study Sociology Philosophy