| Unit name | Modern Languages and English Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MODL30029 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Connor Doak |
| 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 | School of Modern Languages |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
The Dissertation is an exercise in extended independent research. Students are required to identify their own topic, informed by their engagement with the two disciplines they have studied. They will formulate questions to be asked, identify main primary sources, set the research questions in context of issues arising from the secondary literature, and carry through an analytical study to the highest standards. Guidance will be provided in the form of lectures on devising a research topic and using primary sources. Students will also be assigned a supervisor (from either the English Department or from Modern Languages, depending on the disciplinary orientation of the project) who will discuss with them a draft dissertation proposal and an introductory chapter, as well as the particular challenges of the chosen topic. Students will receive guidance from their supervisors in meetings, which should not normally exceed three hours in each teaching block. Students are also free to consult other lecturers with relevant expertise.
A significant degree of latitude will be granted to students in terms of the disciplinary orientation of the project: for example, students will be able to fulfil the ‘English’ component of their dissertation by analysing literature in their chosen modern language (there would be no specific requirement to analyse specifically English literature); and equally, they would be allowed to focus predominately on English literature so long as the project made some attempt to bridge the two disciplines (for example, by considering Shakespeare’s reception in Germany, or by thinking through Byron’s Italian influences, or by considering English translations of Kafka).
In the final piece of work, students will be asked to translate quotations into English (where relevant) in order to allow the work to be assessed by representatives from the English department as well as from the School of Modern Languages.
By the end of the unit successful students will be able to demonstrate:
• a deep understanding of a chosen subject
• the ability to produce an extended piece of analysis in accordance with high scholarly standards
• advanced proficiency in identifying and in forming their own questions
• advanced bibliographical skills and language skills
• the ability to work with primary sources, demonstrating an awareness of the provenance and nature of those sources and how to draw reasoned and considered conclusions from them
• the ability to work almost entirely independently in producing an extended piece of research
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous sessions and asynchronous activities, including seminars, lectures, and collaborative as well as self-directed learning opportunities supported by tutor consultation
10,000 word dissertation (100%). All intended learning outcomes identified above are assessed in this exercise.
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. MODL30029).
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.
