Introductory description

EN3E0-30 Dissertation

Module web page

Module aims

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.

In spring and summer terms of the year before the dissertation, the student will discuss the dissertation project with their personal tutor. The personal tutor will help the student to identify a suitable supervisor for their project.

Over the Easter break, the student will write a draft proposal, to include a title and c. 200-300 words briefly describing the project. The purpose of the proposal is to show that the project is realistic and workable; to show that the student has some existing knowledge of the topic; to show that the student has thought about the scope of the project; and to show that the student is aware of some current research on the topic.

The student will submit this draft proposal in writing to the potential supervisor, and discussion with the supervisor will allow the proposal to be improved. At this stage the supervisor will formally undertake to supervise the project, and the convenor of the dissertation module will formally approve the project.

Before the end of the year before the dissertation, the student will attend a workshop which will help them begin to plan and research their dissertation over the summer break. This workshop will cover how to find, select, and use sources; how to conduct literature searches; how to plan the writing of the dissertation, and how to start writing.

On their return for their final year, students will have a total of 3 hours of meetings with their supervisor, spread across terms one and two. The meetings will be recorded in Tabula. At least two will take place in term 1, and at least two in term 2.

Students may submit one draft section, chapter, or literature survey of any length by the end of week 9 of term 1, and expect to receive feedback on it by the first week of the winter vacation. They may submit a full draft of the thesis by the end of week 9 of term 2. Students will arrange with supervisors the latest possible date when they will look at a full draft of the dissertation, usually no later than the first week of term three.

There is an additional workshop in Term 2 for the current intermediate year students who want to take EN30E in their final year. This workshop talks them through the process of creating a proposal and usually runs in Week 8 of Term 2.

Learning outcomes

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

• Students will receive one training session (90 minutes) at the end of their second year to enable them to begin research for the dissertation over the following summer.
• Students will have three hours of meetings with their supervisor, usually of no more than 30 minutes, spread across terms one and two.
• During the dissertation year itself, students will attend five dissertation support workshops (90 minutes each) spread across terms one and two.

Indicative reading list

A bibliography of primary and secondary texts will be developed by the student, under the direction of their dissertation supervisor. Since the module comprises mostly independent study, it is up to the student to seek out secondary or archival material in the course of their research. Supervisors will guide and encourage this research process, which may include audio-visual material, and artefacts from special collections.

More generally useful works include:

Bryan Greetham, How to Write your Undergraduate Dissertation, 2nd edition, Basingstoke and New York, 2014.
Alex Osmond, Academic Writing and Grammar for Students, Los Angeles, 2013.
Brian Richardson, MHRA Style Guide. A Handbook for Authors and Editors, third edition, London, 2013. (http://www.mhra.org.uk/Publications/Books/StyleGuide/)
Nicholas S. R Walliman, Your undergraduate dissertation: the essential guide for success, Los Angeles, 2014.

Research element

Dependent upon Dissertation subject.

Subject specific skills

N/A - see transferable skills.

Transferable skills

demonstrate thorough knowledge of the chosen subject, building on the work completed during the earlier years of their degree.

demonstrate a capacity for independent study and self-directed inquiry and research, including an ability to organise their own time.

demonstrate a capacity to initiate and frame an appropriate topic for independent study.

demonstrate an ability to identify and pursue appropriate, subject-specific questions.

apply and evaluate critical approaches to the material under analysis.

demonstrate an ability to reflect upon research methodologies.

argue at length and in detail about the subject matter of the dissertation, supporting the argument with evidence from primary sources and secondary sources.

demonstrate an ability to draft, revise and edit a lengthy piece of written work, and present their ideas in clear and compelling writing.