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EQ910-60 Dissertation in Religions, Society and Education

Department
Education Studies
Level
Taught Postgraduate Level
Module leader
Abdullah Sahin
Credit value
60
Module duration
42 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

The dissertation is an opportunity to explore, in depth, an area of academic and/or professional interest related to your degree. Students will be allocated supervisors and will prepare a 1000 word proposal/outline specific to their pathway within the course. This should identify the focus of the research, the questions the dissertation will set out to explore and the methodologies to be used in the research as well as a rationale for why the topic is worthy of investigation. Students will then work independently on the Dissertation supported by supervisory comment and feedback, verbal and written, on drafts of dissertation chapters during the supervision process. In addition, students continue to be supported through the residential and/or seminar blocks, depending on the mode of pathway (full-time or part-time) and pathway followed

you will conduct an independent research project, developing a deeper understanding of your chosen topic. From your research project you will produce a dissertation, with guidance from a supervisor who will be allocated to you. Through the dissertation you will demonstrate the ability to analyse and synthesise relevant literature, produce coherent arguments supported by relevant evidence and logical discussion, and acknowledge sources of ideas and information.

Module aims

The module provides an opportunity to undertake a dissertation at Masters level and therefore:

  1. To provide students with an opportunity to undertake research in an area proposed by the student and agreed by the supervisor; 2) To enable students to critically select and apply appropriate methods and tools available for and appropriate to the development of their research; 3) To develop and extend students’ practical experience of the research process.
Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Through tutorials, discussion on agreed framework for progress; contents; appropriate research
tools and methods; writing up.
Through research seminars, discussion in peer groups on contents and methods

For illustrative purposes, indicative titles of possible MA Dissertation titles are outlined below for
the Islamic Education pathway:
Explore strengths and weaknesses of early years' Islamic education provision (Maktabs) within the Muslim minority context of UK .
What are the educational challenges facing Islamic higher learning Institutions in the UK ?.
The embeddedness of tenets of Islamic education in the curriculum reforms in secondary schools in Saudi Arabia: Exploring teachers’ perspectives
Explore modes of childhood education within medieval Muslim societies.

-Exploring the impact of pedagogic practice on identity formation of students in Islamic education settings: the case of madrassahs and Islamic schools in UK

  • Islam Higher Education in Kazakhstan: an empirical case study of Nur-Mubarak University.
    -How do Muslim schools interpret their Islamic ethos? An emrpcial case study of Independent Islamic Schools in England.
  • Exploring Classical Islamic Educational thought through examining educational views of Ghazzali (d.1111 CE) and Ibn Khaldun (d.1406 CE)
    -An exploration of the perspectives of secondary school Islamic Education teachers in Saudi Arabia, concerning the use of Information Technology in the classroom
    -Approaches to the Qur'an Study and their impact on the self-identity of young British Muslim women: an empirical case study.
    -Job Satisfaction Among Secondary Muslim and Non-Muslim Religious Education Teachers in Multicultural Classes in England

For illustrative purposes, indicative titles of possible MA Dissertation titles are outlined below for
the Christian Education pathway:

  • A partnership for schools: a study of governing bodies of church aided schools in the
    diocese of Chester.
  • The relationship between Christian faith, and attitude toward the environment
  • Women in the Church of England: a comparison of stipendiary and non-stipendiary
    ministry
  • Christian initiation within the Church in Wales: a theological enquiry
  • Assessing the distinctiveness of Anglican primary schools
Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • 1 Undertake a comprehensive, systematic and critical evaluation both of the research topic and of a body of knowledge in a research topic associated with the field Religions, Society and Education;
  • 2 Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the research methods and the ability to apply, appropriately and systematically, these to the detailed and comprehensive study of a research topic in the area of Religions, Society and Education;
  • 3 Undertake an independent and original contribution to the body of knowledge in the area of Religions, Society and Education;
  • 4 Evidence the capability to undertake extended research with supervision at level 7.
  • 5 Critically relate research, theory and practice in a creative and reflective way, according to professional/vocational context where appropriate.
Indicative reading list

Bibliography: Essential reading: Essential resources: Holliday, A. (2002) Doing and Writing Qualitative Research. SAGE Ridley, D. (2008) The Literature Review. A Step-by-Step Guide for Students. SAGE Silverman, D. (2004) Doing Qualitative Research: A Practical Handbook. 2nd ed. SAGE Thoreau, M. (2006) Write on Track. A Guide to Academic Writing. Pearson Other indicative resources: Becker, L. (2004) How to Manage your Postgraduate Course. Macmillan Students will have access to an appropriate range of supplementary material and links to web-based resources in order to facilitate independent learning.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Research element

Writing a dissertation that students gather data/information through supervisory guidance.

Interdisciplinary

Topics are explored through using diverse disciplinary perspectives in social/educational sciences and humanities.

International

The dissertations will examine issues/topics related to Islamic and Christian education within national and international contexts.

Subject specific skills
  • Critically relate research, theory and practice in a creative and reflective way, according to professional/vocational context where appropriate.
  • Evidence the capability to undertake extended research with supervision at level 7
Transferable skills
  • Display advanced academic writing skills.

Study time

Type Required
Other activity 40 hours (7%)
Private study 560 hours (93%)
Total 600 hours
Private study description

Independent study hours.

Other activity description

Residentials and/or seminar blocks and tutorials: 40 hours (scheduled learning and teaching hours)

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A1
Weighting Study time
Dissertation 100%

A 20,000-word dissertation.

Feedback on assessment

Written feedback is provided to students using a standardised proforma.

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 1 of TEQA-X3R1 Postgraduate Religions, Society and Education