Unit information: Dissertation in 2014/15

Unit name	Dissertation
Unit code	SOCI30050
Credit points	40
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Professor. Surridge
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	SOCI20015 Research Methods
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

The dissertation enables students to select a sociological topic to research in depth over a sustained period of time. Student learning is supported through regular individual supervision and workshops, though the expectation is that the dissertation is primarily an individual piece of work.

This unit will enable participants to:

• Identify a suitable sociological topic that can be researched independently

• Structure independent work over a sustained period

• Conduct a piece of supervised independent study

• Produce a written dissertation based on independent sociological research

• Give an oral presentation on their work

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the unit the student will have:

1. Identified and conducted an independent piece of research on a sociological topic
2. Planned a viable research project
3. Demonstrated a detailed understanding of their chosen topic
4. Produced an extended piece of cogently argued written work
5. Presented their work to an audience of peers and staff members

Teaching Information

Dissertation lectures, dissertation workshops (on ethics, data collection, data analysis, and presentation skills), drop-in sessions with unit convenor, and individual study supported by regular, negotiated, supervisory meetings.

Assessment Information

Formative:

10-15 minute presentation at Dissertation Conference (learning outcomes 1 & 5) Summative:

Dissertation proposal (2000 words) (10% of final mark) (learning outcomes 1 & 2)

Dissertation (approx 10000 words) (90% of final mark) (learning outcomes 1, 3 &4)

Reading and References

To be negotiated with the supervisor.