Module Information
Module Identifier
EN31030
Module Title
UNDERGRADUATE DISSERTATION
Academic Year
2010/2011
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Other Staff
- Dr Damian Walford Davies
- Dr Louise Marshall
- Professor Sarah C Hutton
- Dr Tiffany S Atkinson
- Dr Luke A Thurston
- Dr Elisabeth E Salter
- Dr Jayne Archer
- Dr Katharine E Wright
- Professor Peter T Barry
- Mr Michael J Smith
- Dr Helena Grice
- Dr Martin Padget
- Dr Sarah H Prescott
- Professor Richard J Marggraf Turley
- Dr William G Slocombe
- Dr Natasha Alden
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Seminars / Tutorials | Supervisions to be arranged with dissertation supervisors |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | DISSERTATION OF 8000 WORDS Excluding footnotes/endnotes and bibliography | 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Resubmit or resit failed elements and/or make good any missing elements |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Conduct independent research, compile bibliographies and find ways around appropriate research materials.
2. Conceive, plan and execute an appropriate topic for study based on literary research, structured over an extended piece of writing
3. Display a critically focused understanding of literary texts, cultural contexts and theoretical concerns
4. Complete the writing of the dissertation in compliance with the substantive as well as formal requirements expected of an undergraduate dissertation
Content
Semester 1
(a) 3 x 1-hour lectures designed to equip students with the relevant study/research skills for the Dissertation. These lectures will address the following issues: bibliographical and library resources, research and time management skills, structure and argument, and presentation.
(b) 2 x 2-hr workshops in groups of 20-25 students. Students will discuss and workshop their chosen subject with a view to submitting a definitive topic at the end of the second workshop for formal ratification.
(c) 1 x 1-hour group sessions of 3-4 students each with supervisor. These sessions will aim for the cross-fertilisation of students' ideas and collective consultation.
Semester 2
(a) 2 x 30-min. individual supervisions. The student will meet with his/her supervisor to discuss the dissertation in detail.
(b) 1 x 1-hour group sessions of 3-4 students each with supervisor. These sessions will aim for the cross-fertilisation of students' ideas and collective consultation.
(a) 3 x 1-hour lectures designed to equip students with the relevant study/research skills for the Dissertation. These lectures will address the following issues: bibliographical and library resources, research and time management skills, structure and argument, and presentation.
(b) 2 x 2-hr workshops in groups of 20-25 students. Students will discuss and workshop their chosen subject with a view to submitting a definitive topic at the end of the second workshop for formal ratification.
(c) 1 x 1-hour group sessions of 3-4 students each with supervisor. These sessions will aim for the cross-fertilisation of students' ideas and collective consultation.
Semester 2
(a) 2 x 30-min. individual supervisions. The student will meet with his/her supervisor to discuss the dissertation in detail.
(b) 1 x 1-hour group sessions of 3-4 students each with supervisor. These sessions will aim for the cross-fertilisation of students' ideas and collective consultation.
Brief description
The precise topic of the dissertation will be chosen by each student in consultation with tutors, and will be formally approved by the Department. It will be delivered through a combination of lectures, group workshops, small group advisory sessions and individual supervisions (see below).
Dissertation word count: 8000 words in length (excluding footnotes/endnotes and bibliography)
Dissertation word count: 8000 words in length (excluding footnotes/endnotes and bibliography)
Aims
The Dissertation develops students' independent research skills and represents a logical `culmination' of students' learning experience. It also helps prepare students intending to study at postgraduate level for the MA dissertation and PhD work. The Dissertation module gives third-year students the opportunity to extend and deepen their study of the authors/texts examined in the period core modules and in option modules and/or to explore the work of writers not on the curriculum.
NB Students of Q300 Single Honours English Literature and T700 Single Honours American Studies should note that, in addition to any other requirements, you must pass this module in order to qualify for your degree.
NB Students of Q300 Single Honours English Literature and T700 Single Honours American Studies should note that, in addition to any other requirements, you must pass this module in order to qualify for your degree.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Communication | In the workshop, small group and individual aspects of delivery (see above), through group discussion |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Through independent planning, researching and realization of a research project. The structure of the module builds into it formative assessment and encourages self-reflection. |
| Information Technology | Research skills will require the utilization of bibliographical and search databases, internet-based research, as well as the use of word-processing in the course of writing of the dissertation |
| Personal Development and Career planning | By encouraging initiative, self-reliance, self-responsibility, time-management, independent enquiry and by preparing students for study at postgraduate level. |
| Problem solving | By developing evaluative analysis, constructing an independent research strategy, and by formulating and conducting an extended critical argument. |
| Research skills | By requiring students to outline, structure, independently research and write an extended piece on a topic of their choosing |
| Subject Specific Skills | Detailed critical analysis of literary texts and evaluation of broad intellectual/ theoretical concepts in an independently-researched piece of writing. |
| Team work | Through workshop and small group work |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6