Unit information: Special Independent Study (Double Unit) in 2015/16

Unit name	Special Independent Study (Double Unit)
Unit code	EDUCD0082
Credit points	40
Level of study	D/8
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Professor. Baird
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Understanding Educational Research
Co-requisites	Candidates are not normally permitted to gain more than 40 credits towards their award from any combination of published work or supervised individual study.
School/department	School of Education
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit is available in the exceptional circumstances that require an individually negotiated programme of study, submission of work and assessment that could not be met by any other available unit in the programme. The unit devised for these purposes must be consistent with and meet significant aspects of the aims of the programme.

The unit aims to:

• Provide the candidate with the knowledge and skills to achieve agreed aspects of the Programme Specification that could not be achieved by any currently offered units.

• Offer a reasonable level of tutorial guidance, support and challenge during the production of the Special Independent Study.

• Gather assessed evidence of the student’s achievement in circumstances comparable to those of the dissertation.

• Enable the candidate to actively engage with issues involved in submitting individually negotiated work for assessment.

Intended Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes achieved by a successful candidate will be:

• Advancing knowledge and understanding by independent study

• Demonstrating intellectual skills and attributes at an appropriate level

• Undertaking substantially self-motivated and directed work at doctoral level

• Enhancing practical, professional and transferable skills

Teaching Information

The primary method of academic support is provided through negotiating a programme of reading and/or relevant activity supported by opportunities for discussion with academic tutor(s). Formative feedback on comments and suggestions as the work develops will be provided during face-to-face tutorial sessions, by telephone, by video-conferencing or in writing, as appropriate. Opportunities are also provided to participate in and to make presentations in departmental research seminars and doctoral conferences. Additional support might be available from support services and informal contacts with other staff and students.

Assessment Information

An 8,000 word assignment or equivalent if other media are used. Assessment is conducted by two markers with expertise in the field of study. Students will be expected to identify relevant texts, synthesise the literature and apply the research to a professional context.

Reading and References

Dependent upon the area of focus.