| Unit name | Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MODLM0012 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Mr. Paul Golf |
| 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 |
None |
| School/department | School of Modern Languages |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
All MA students are expected to undertake a dissertation as the culmination of the programme of study. Research is exciting – it takes you to the frontiers of knowledge where you will be able to make your own intellectual contribution. Alternatively and just as importantly, you can choose to translate material that speaks to you and that you would like others in your target language to appreciate or scrutinise. Whether you pursue a research or practical translation project, the dissertation allows you, with the support of an academic staff member with relevant expertise, to set your own agenda. You will also be supported in developing your research project by the opportunity to draw up a proposal for the project and receive feedback on it at an early stage.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
During your time on the programme, you will have come across questions or texts that speak to you a little more than others – areas of research or creative practice that intrigue you and that you would like to explore further. The dissertation is your primary opportunity to develop your interests do just this.
An overview of content
Research dissertations may be empirical or conceptual and focus on any aspect of translation practice, translation studies, the translation industry, and related areas. Practical translations may focus on verbal texts, including in audiovisual translation, and intersemiotic translation. The viability of each specific project will be assessed by the unit director in conversation with yourself and academic colleagues who may act as supervisors, and we may suggest changes to initial ideas and proposals in the interests of feasibility. Students on the Chinese-English Audiovisual Translation will be expected to complete a topic related to audiovisual modalities.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Dissertations are a big deal. Chances are that, following your time on our programme, your dissertation topic will be what you remember best about your MA, and it may be the first thing that others ask you about when you tell them about your postgraduate studies. The dissertation is, for many students, the moment they realise, often with considerable pleasure, that they are able independently to contribute to academic discourse, by developing their own ideas in relation to other, existing ones, or to enter the job market as a commercial or literary translator with a distinct profile.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Initially you are guided by the unit coordinator to talk through your learning journey so far, with a view to the development of your dissertation proposal in accordance with your interests and skills. Roundtable discussions with other students as well as staff members will facilitate this process. Once you are assigned a supervisor, they become your primary point of contact for the dissertation. You can expect to do the bulk of your dissertation work during a three-month writing-up period after you complete your taught units. A supervisor will expect to give you about 4 hours supervision in all and you can discuss with them how this is best used. They can give you guidance and help, advising on sources and methods you might use, the structure of your enquiry, or translation strategies if you do a practical dissertation.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Based on conversations with peers and your tutor, you will produce a proposal and receive feedback which allows you develop your initial ideas.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Dissertation (12,000 words) [ILOs 1-3]
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
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. MODLM0012).
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 University 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. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
