AHM0460 - DISSERTATION

Module Identifier

AHM0460

Module Title

DISSERTATION

Academic Year

2005/2006

Co-ordinator

Ms Moira M Vincentelli

Semester

Semester 3 (Summer)

Other staff

Mr Christopher P Webster, Professor John Harvey, Mr Simon J Pierse

Course delivery

Seminars / Tutorials

Tutorial. 1 hr per 2 weeks

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	presentation of dissertation (12,000-15,000 words) Failure will result in a re-assessment and re-submission of the dissertation	100%

Brief description

The dissertation provides a context to develop a programme of study begun, principal, in the context of either AHM0230 Research Project or ARM0460 Exhibition 1 (depending on the choice of degree scheme). For MA in Art History candidates, the dissertation represents a discourse on material sources uncovered and preliminary studied in the project. For MA in Art candidates, the dissertation will pursue ideas developed previously in a visual field within an art historical or theoretical context. The module allows students to apply methodologies and approaches to writing, developed in both research-training modules and in the context of dissertation tutorials, and to pursue a creative engagement with a specified topic.

Aims

The module aims to:

provide an opportunity for self-directed research and tutorial supervision
enable students to further develop an in-depth examination of a specific subject or topic related to their studies in either AHM0230 Research Project or ARM0460 Exhibition 1 (depending on the nature of the Part 1 degree scheme)
stimulate vigorous intellectual inquiry
deal with primary and secondary sources and their creative syntheses
work within a comprehensible historical, theoretical, or conceptual framework
apply appropriate scholarly techniques
further the student¿s capacity for academic writing within set conventions and deadlines
prepare students for research and academic writing at MPhil and PhD level
apply and extend academic skills learned in the Research Training modules

objectives

develop and conclude a reasoned and substantiated argument in relation to a specific subject or topic
write in a clear, organized, persuasive, strategic manner for a defined audience
exhibit a highly developed, imaginative, and creative engagement with the subject and composition
demonstrate a thorough cognizance of existing scholarly material (including, methodology, debates and ideas)and sources relevant to the dissertation¿s field
sophistication in writing style and an intellectually challenging approach to the subject
ability to move beyond the boundaries of the field of inquiry

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Kane, Eileen (1997) Doing Your Own Research: Basic Descriptive Research in the social Sciences and Humanities Boyars
Locke, Lawrence F (1993) Proposals that Work: A Guide to Planning Dissertations and Grant Proposals Sage Publications
Oliver, Paul (1996) Writing Essays and Reports Hodder and Stoughton
Rasool, Joan et al (1996) Critical Thinking: Reading and Writing in a Diverse World, second edition, Wadsworth
Oshima, Alice and Hogue Ann (1997) Introduction to Academic Writing Longman
Smith, Pauline (1995) How to Write an Assignment: Improving Your Research and Presentation Skills How to Books
Swetnam, Derek (1995) Writing Your Dissertation: How to Plan, Prepare and Present Your Work Successfully How to Books
Creme, Phyllis and Lea, Mary R (1997) Writing at University: A Guide for Students Oxford University Press

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7