| Unit name | Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ENGLM0006 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Vaccarella |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Completion of relevant mandatory units in TB1 and TB2 and progress at the June Progress Board |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of English |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
The dissertation provides a structured and supervised opportunity for MA students to pursue independently an agreed topic of interest with reference to and emerging from their previous studies and to produce an appropriately advanced piece of research.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The unit gives students the opportunity to put into practice the skills they have developed in their other MA units. Being able to design and conduct a piece of independent research is the ideal outcome of a research-based MA programme like ours.
An overview of content:
All MA students are expected to undertake a dissertation as the culmination of the programme of study. The dissertation involves devising a realisable topic, which has the potential to contribute to knowledge of the subject. After a conducting a survey of literature and other relevant materials, appropriate methodologies will be devised in order to explore a research problem. It would normally be expected that this topic would arise from work already undertaken on the programme, creating an opportunity to explore a specialist area in more detail.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
On completion of the unit students will have had the opportunity to develop an in-depth independent research project and gain extensive knowledge of a specialist area. This project could be a starting point for further advance research for students interested in postdoctoral studies. In any case, students will have developed eminent transferable skills, such as exploring and developing appropriate methodological approaches, as well as presenting findings in compelling written form.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this unit a successful student will be able to:
Teaching will involve a series of workshops that incorporate skills training, including group discussion, research and writing activities, and peer dialogue. Learning will be further supported through the opportunity for individual consultations with a personal supervisor. The combination of these different learning activities will help students build confidence and practical skills to devise and write their dissertation projects.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
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. ENGLM0006).
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.
