Introductory description

An indiviual research project devised, designed and researched by the student, with guidance from their supervisor.

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.

There is no set syllabus as this module allow students to devise their own research project in conjunction
with a supervision.
Schedule as follows:
Summer term prior to vacation
Dissertation Briefing and Library Training Session:

Autumn term

Week 1: Training Session: Writing a Dissertation: Aims, Methods, Objectives, Problems, resources
Week 2: Submit a 250-word plan of study and the (provisional) title of dissertation on Tabula.
End Week 2: Supervisors allocated
Week 3: All students should contact their supervisors to arrange for a supervision in Week 3
Week 4: Submit an outline plan of project including chapter headings; also submit a bibliography of items
already read + a list of items to read. This must be submitted on Tabula.
Week 7: Presentation Skills Workshop: How to make an effective presentation?
Week 11: Submit a sample chapter on Tabula. You will receive written feedback on this from your supervisor at
the start of the spring term.
Spring term

Weeks 2 & 3: Presentations; each student presents a 10-minute powerpoint presentation before peers and a
member of staff of dissertation topic, with handout followed by discussion. Feedback will be given on all aspects
of structure, content, and presentation of the talk by staff and peers

End Week 3: Students to submit the precise title of the dissertation on Tabula.
End Week 9: Deadline for submitting drafts to supervisor (unless extension granted).
End Week 10: Deadline for final submission in hard copy and to Tabula

Learning outcomes

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

• To increase and enhance knowledge of the classical world by carrying out independent research on a subject of their choice, as approved by the department, within the range of possibilities opened up within the broad field of Classics and Ancient History.
• To communicate this original research clearly through an extended piece of organized and articulate academic argument (between 8,000 and 10,000 words), subject to the criteria for assessment as set out on the Presentation and Assessment page.
• To further develop skills in problem-solving and analysis and evaluation of material through working with primary sources, and with advanced scholarly literature independently, critically, and creatively.
• To develop skills needed to manage an extended piece of academic writing, including enhanced bibliographical management, coherent presentation of footnotes and of primary and secondary sources of whatever kind, and furthering of IT and word-processing abilities.
• To work effectively and constructively with a supervisor, and to further develop time-management skills.
• To further develop oral presentation skills through the core (though non-assessed) requirement to present their work-in-progress to peers and members of the department mid-way through the process, and by partaking in presentation-skills sessions put on as part of module induction.

Research element

This module allows students, under careful supervision, to pursue an individual research project which culminates in the production of a dissertation of 8 000-10 000 words in length.

Subject specific skills

• To increase and enhance knowledge of the classical world by carrying out independent research on a subject of their choice.
• To communicate research ideas clearly through an extended piece of organized and articulate academic argument (between 8,000 and 10,000 words).
• To further develop skills in problem-solving and analysis and evaluation of material through working with primary sources, and with advanced scholarly literature independently, critically, and creatively.
• To develop skills needed to manage an extended piece of academic writing, including enhanced bibliographical management, coherent presentation of footnotes and of primary and secondary sources of whatever kind, and furthering of IT and word-processing abilities.
• To work effectively and constructively with a supervisor, and to further develop time-management skills.
• To further develop oral presentation skills through the core (though non-assessed) requirement to present their work-in-progress to peers and members of the department mid-way through the process, and by partaking in presentation-skills sessions put on as part of module induction.

Transferable skills

• critical thinking
• problem solving
• active lifelong learning
• communication
• information literacy
• ICT literacy
• Ethical Values
• Professionalism