| Unit name | Written Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HUMSM0008 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Professor. Pite |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Completion of relevant mandatory units in TB1 and TB2 and progress at June Exam Board |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Humanities |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
All MA students are expected to take one of three optional dissertation units. The written disseration option will provide a structured and supervised opportunity for MA students to pursue independently an agreed topic of interest with reference to and emerging from their previous studies and to produce an advanced piece of research. The unit involves devising a realisable topic, which has the potential to contribute to knowledge of the subject. After a conducting a survey of literature and other relevant materials, appropriate methodologies will be devised in order to explore a research problem. It would normally be expected that this topic would arise from work already undertaken on the programme, creating an opportunity to explore a specialist area in more detail.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The written dissertation is the culmination of the MA programme of study. It offers an opportunity to conduct in-depth independent study in an area of interest within the environmental humanities and to present this research in an extended piece of academic writing (15,000 words).
An overview of content
The written dissertation is a substantial independent research project. It will consist of independent research and
writing in conjunction with regular supervisions.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
The written dissertation is a key opportunity to develop your academic research and writing skills. The unit will give
you the skills and confidence to purse a major piece of independent research which will make a contribution to
knowledge of the field of environmental humanities. You will learn to work largely independently and to find and
use a variety of different primary sources (e.g. literary texts, historical documents, audiovisual media) and secondary
sources.
Learning Outcomes
1. Design a project that is realistic in scope and allows for in-depth independent research. 2. Gain substantial knowledge of a specific subject area. 3. Make a sustained argument or intervention in relation to the particular research problem. 4. Communicate that knowledge with clarity appropriate to the determined mode of assessment.
Tutorials - supervision sessions.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
Towards the beginning of your dissertation research you will produce a reading and resource list for your
dissertation topic in consultation with your supervisor. Although the length of this list may vary from topic to topic,
it is expected that you will include at least 30 items.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
The unit will be assessed on a written 15,000 word dissertation.
When assessment does not go to plan
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 exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations
and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes
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. HUMSM0008).
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 University 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. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
