HA3A1-30 Dissertation (History of Art)
Introductory description
A dissertation is an extended essay written according to formal academic conventions. It should demonstrate your research skills, and your ability to formulate an independent perspective on a given subject. It should also be well written and grammatically correct, to demonstrate your literacy skills. Importantly, a dissertation should try to provide answers to a set of questions; it should not just be a narrative. You will work closely with a supervisor as you research and write the dissertation.
Module aims
The dissertation aims to encourage research skills, the critical application of methodology, and independent thinking.
In pursuing an area of interest in much greater detail than is possible in course work it gives you an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the discipline. The result is a significant piece of work which could impress an employer, or lay the ground for postgraduate research.
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.
Introductory meeting with dissertation convenor
Regular meetings with Supervisor
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Apply bibliographical research skills
- Demonstrate an ability to research a topic in depth
- Deploy the knowledge base established earlier in the course
- Apply methodology appropriately and critically to the chosen topic
- Initiate and sustain group discussion through intelligent questioning and debate at an appropriate level
- Ability to undertake research and to write up the results in the form of a well-structured argument at an appropriate level
- Familiarity with essential ICT skills
- Ability to collaborate effectively with others
- Show understanding of diverse viewpoints
- Ability to find, select, organize and synthesize evidence
- Ability to formulate a sustained argument
- Think conceptually and independently at an appropriate level
- Sophisticated visual analysis
- Bibliographical skills at an appropriate level
- Critical analysis of cultural artefacts in their context
Research element
Research under guidance from a supervisor to encourage the development of research skills, the critical application of methodology, and independent thinking.
Subject specific skills
- Apply bibliographical research skills
- Demonstrate an ability to research a topic in depth
- Deploy the knowledge base established earlier in the course
- Apply methodology appropriately and critically to the chosen topic
- sophisticated visual analysis
- critical analysis of cultural artefacts in their context
Transferable skills
- initiate and sustain group discussion through intelligent questioning and debate at an appropriate level
- ability to undertake research and to write up the results in the form of a well-structured argument at an appropriate level
- familiarity with essential ICT skills
- ability to collaborate effectively with others
- show understanding of diverse viewpoints
- ability to find, select, organize and synthesize evidence
- ability to formulate a sustained argument
- think conceptually and independently at an appropriate level
- bibliographical skills at an appropriate level
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 1 session of 1 hour (0%) |
| Tutorials | 2 sessions of 1 hour (1%) |
| Project supervision | 5 sessions of 1 hour (2%) |
| Private study | 292 hours (97%) |
| Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
Independent research for significant piece of work
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A2
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 90% | No | |
|
8,000 word independent research project |
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| Chapter sample | 5% | No | |
|
2500 word sample of a chapter or part of a chapter to be submitted by Week 6 |
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| Chapter sample | 5% | No | |
|
2500 word sample of another chapter or part of chapter to be submitted by week 9 |
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Feedback on assessment
Written feedback and dedicated feedback tutorials.
Pre-requisites
n/a
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 3 of UHAA-V401 Undergraduate History of Art
- Year 4 of UHAA-V3R1 Undergraduate History of Art and French
- Year 3 of UHAA-V3R3 Undergraduate History of Art with Italian
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 1 of UHAA-V41P Undergraduate History of Art
- Year 4 of UITA-R3V3 Undergraduate Taught Italian and History of Art
This module is Core option list C for:
- Year 4 of UITA-R3V3 Undergraduate Taught Italian and History of Art
This module is Option list D for:
- Year 4 of UITA-R3V3 Undergraduate Taught Italian and History of Art