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Unit information: Dissertation in 2022/23

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Dissertation
Unit code AFACM0006
Credit points 40
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director Dr. Cleo Hanaway-Oakley
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one
School/department Arts Faculty Office
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

The Dissertation is an exercise in extended independent research. Students are required to identify their own research topic, formulate the particular research questions to be addressed, identify the main primary sources to be used, set the research questions in the context of the issues arising from the secondary literature, and execute a scholarly and analytical text to high scholarly standards consistent with this level of study. The dissertation should show systematic knowledge, originality in the application of knowledge, a critical awareness of current issues and a comprehensive understanding of applicable research techniques. The research should be informed by work at the forefront of its topic which will be critically evaluated. It should in its choice of topic and/or execution of its research draw imaginatively upon a range of units taken in the Liberal Arts course, giving evidence of an academic approach informed by interdisciplinarity and/or engagement with contemporary issues and contexts.

Your learning on this unit

By the successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Articulate an advanced and systematic understanding of a chosen subject
  2. Demonstrate an awareness of the issues and debates at the forefront of their subject
  3. Apply a comprehensive understanding of research techniques applicable to their subject
  4. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of their subject enabling critical evaluation of current research and methodologies, and the proposal of new hypotheses
  5. Analyse complex data systematically and creatively and communicate the results of this analysis clearly

How you will learn

Teaching will involve a combination of briefing seminars, peer review activities, library support, and four hours of one-to-one supervision.  There will be opportunities for supervisor and peer feedback.

How you will be assessed

10,000 word research project (100%) [ILOs 1-5]

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. AFACM0006).

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.

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