ED31220 - MAJOR DISSERTATION

Module Identifier

ED31220

Module Title

MAJOR DISSERTATION

Academic Year

2003/2004

Co-ordinator

Mr Robert Morris Jones

Semester

Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)

Mutually Exclusive

Not advisable to combine with ED31310

Course delivery

Seminars / Tutorials

1 per fortnight (more if required)

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Continuous Assessment: an extended esay of approximately 10,000 words	100%
Supplementary Assessment	All failed or missing elements of assessment to be re-taken or made good.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, a student should be able to demonstrate an ability:

to undertake independent study;
to plan and present an extended investigation: aims; literature review; methods; analysis;
to demonstrate skills which are associated with library-based study: effective use of bibliographic searches; an ability to choose relevant sources; a sound knowledge and understanding of sources; critical interpretation of sources; an ability to synthesise sources; an ablity to present coherent argument;
to demonstrate research skills in a small-scale investigation: an appropriate method of data collection; an appropriate method of data analysis; an awareness of ethical and legal issues in data collection; to apply the results of the analysis to the aims of the dissertation.

Brief description

This module provides students with an opportunity to investigate a topic of their own choice, in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies. It involves independent study under the guidance of a member of staff. It necessitates wide reading, leading to an extended essay. It requires library-based study and typically involves small-scale empirical investigation. Prior approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies is needed before pre-registering and registering on this module.

Aims

to encourage independent study;
to develop skills which are associated with library-based study;
to achieve knowledge and understanding of a topic which is chosen by a student and approved by the Department.
to develop research skills in a small-scale investigation.

Content

No set syllabus. A plan of study is worked out by the student under the guidance of a member of staff.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Consultation
Fabb, Nigel & Alan Durant (1993) How to Write Essays, Dissertations & Theses in Literary Studies London: Longman
Watson, George (1987) Writing a Thesis - A Guide to Long Essays and Dissertations London: Longman

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6