Unit information: Dissertation (Social Policy) in 2021/22

Unit name	Dissertation (Social Policy)
Unit code	SPOL30017
Credit points	40
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Sweeting
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	SOAD20004 Social Research Methods, POLI20015 Investigating the Political or SOCI20064 Investigating the Social
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School for Policy Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

The dissertation is a piece of independent study enabling the student to select a field of inquiry from within Social Policy and carry out research in depth over a sustained period of time. Student learning is supported by regular meetings with their advisor, social research methods workshops, and symposiums, though the expectation is that the dissertation is primarily an individual piece of work. The unit aims to:

1. provide the student with the chance to investigate a topic of their own choice (within the broad framework of their discipline)
2. enable the student to develop and apply knowledge and understanding gained elsewhere in the programme through independent study and learning
3. enable the student to enhance the practical and transferable skills of locating and using knowledge and information, conveying ideas in written format, planning and managing their time
4. Enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of social research methods through application in a project of their devising.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the unit, the student will demonstrate:

1. A critical understanding of theory/concepts and/or research relevant to their chosen topic;
2. The ability to plan and undertake an extended piece of independent work within social policy
3. An understanding of, and the ability to select appropriately from, social research approaches;
4. Understanding and application of principles of ethical practice

Teaching Information

Individual study supported by regular academic supervision A mixture of taught and problem-solving sessions, using both online teaching materials and synchronous sessions. Formative : An annotated bibliography prepared for the start of the academic year

Assessment Information

Summative Assessment :

One 10,000 word dissertation

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. SPOL30017).

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.