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

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