Unit information: Dissertation (English) in 2022/23

Unit name	Dissertation (English)
Unit code	ENGL39024
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Andrew Blades
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	Department of English
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

The aim of this unit is to support students to produce a high-quality research-based dissertation that represents their own work. The unit is designed to allow students to identify a topic or research question which interests them, and follow that interest through independently by studying extensively and over a sustained period an author (or group of authors), a theme, and/or a literary period, and to develop their skills in detailed, self-motivated independent research. Students undertake supervised research to produce a written project of up to 6000 words on a particular aspect of their study in English Literature, with an additional 500 words to provide an abstract and well-presented front matter.

Students work with a supervisor to identify research questions or concerns, to determine appropriate research methods, formulate their argument and structure a dissertation. This offers students the opportunity to demonstrate their command of academic research and writing skills on a large-scale project, and to develop skills transferable for other working environments, as well as for postgraduate study in a variety of disciplinary and vocational areas.

Students may submit up to 2000 words of work in progress to their supervisor and receive formative feedback.

In addition to one-to-one meetings with a supervisor, they will attend a series of regular lectures and workshops to support different aspects of the research and writing experience.

The project may develop and analyse a chosen theme related to another unit. Where the chosen research project is related to a taught unit, the student must develop the area beyond coverage in the taught unit and must not duplicate work required for this or any other assessed unit in their programme of study at Bristol.

Your learning on this unit

At the end of the unit a successful student will be able to:

1. identify a viable area of independent study with a clear rationale and focus;
2. develop methods and materials by which to broaden the student’s knowledge of the field and deepen understanding of research methods and of relevant disciplines;
3. critically assess a body of material, including primary and secondary literature, texts, other sources and ideas as a basis for their own analysis and argument;
4. demonstrate skills of analysis and synthesis appropriate to level H/6 and beyond the level achieved in taught final-year seminar-based options;
5. demonstrate advanced skills in independent research, textual analysis, and time management;
6. demonstrate thorough knowledge and understanding of one or more significant literary, cultural, historical, theoretical, critical, or linguistic contexts related to the text(s) and/or author(s) they are studying;
7. respond to questions or problems by presenting independent judgements in an appropriate style and at an advanced level of complexity;
8. demonstrate the ability to work largely independently to produce an extended piece of research, understand the process of independent learning and research, and appreciate their own capabilities in these areas.

How you will learn

The dissertation will involve asynchronous and synchronous elements, including a programme of research and writing guidance, and one-to-one consultation and feedback from the designated supervisor. Students are expected to manage their time and pursue their independent research. Learning will be further supported through opportunities for peer dialogue and organised ‘writing retreats’.

How you will be assessed

1 x 6500 word dissertation (100%) [ILOs 1-8]

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. ENGL39024).

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.