Unit information: Dissertation in 2021/22

Unit name	Dissertation
Unit code	CEASM0015
Credit points	60
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Dr. Okyere
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

The application of learning to an issue in East Asian Development and the Global Economy is a key element of the MSc. The project, which may be either organisation-based or research-based, aims to identify and systematically explore a significant issue. Project advice and information are provided in the research methods course and in dissertation workshops. Following the submission of a project proposal, participants develop their proposals and meet with their academic supervisors and, if appropriate, their organisation sponsors. Between April and September, participants dedicate their time to the project, which is submitted in the form of a dissertation, not exceeding 15.000 words in mid-September.

The dissertation aims, in a major piece of independent work, to give students an opportunity to:

• apply the substantive learning which have acquired from the taught units to an issue they have identified in the area of East Asian Development and the Global Economy

• demonstrate an understanding of the whole research process, including the main stages, techniques and processes of a major research project

• demonstrate the acquisition of a range of research skills

• express and communicate written ideas in a clear and concise manner

• structure a major piece of academic writing in a coherent, logical and structured way

• weigh up evidence, draw and justify conclusions, answer research questions and present appropriate recommendations which balance descriptive, analytical and independent thought elements

• demonstrate skills of project management including such transferable skills as: the ability to work independently, to manage time, to work to deadlines, to produce a high quality dissertation to professional standards.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the dissertation students will have learned to:

• apply the substantive learning which have acquired from the taught units to an issue they have identified in the area of East Asian Development and the Global Economy

• apply their research skills to a project which they have identified

• manage a research project

• express and communicate written ideas in a clear and concise manner

• structure a major piece of academic writing in a coherent, logical and structured way

• weigh up evidence, draw and justify conclusions, answer research questions and present appropriate recommendations which balance descriptive, analytical and independent thought elements

• demonstrate skills of project management including such transferable skills as: the ability to work independently, to manage time, to work to deadlines, to produce a high quality dissertation to professional standards.

Teaching Information

Initial workshop followed by individual supervision.

Assessment Information

Summative assessment:

15% - dissertation proposal (1500 words) in the style of a research proposal outlining the purpose and direction of the dissertation, why is it important and how is the research to be carried out (ILOs 1,2 and 4)

85% - 10,000 - 15,000 word dissertation (all ILOs)

Support will be provided for both submissions as part of the supervision process, with guidelines provided by the supervisor.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CEASM0015).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.