Dissertation

Module Identifier: AHM0460
Module Title: Dissertation
Academic Year: 2027/2028
Semester: Semester 3
Co-ordinator: Dr Sara Ayres
Reading List: View on Aspire
Co-Requisite: AHM0260
Other Staff

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Literature Review, 2,500 words:	20%
Semester Assessment	Dissertation, 12,500 words:	80%
Supplementary Assessment	Resit literature review:	20%
Supplementary Assessment	Resit dissertation:	80%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1) explore a chosen topic in its (art) historical contexts
2) research efficiently using academically viable sources
3) demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the literature in a chosen field
4) establish, sustain and support a clear and focused thesis
5) acknowledge and respond to counter-arguments
6) choose and apply suitable patterns of organization (e.g., chronology, classification)
7) incorporate researched materials through quotations and paraphrases
8) follow a prescribed documentation style (MLA)
9) respond effectively to staff feedback
10) develop proofreading and editing skills

Brief description

This module guides postgraduate students through the process of researching, outlining, drafting and finalising their tutor-negotiated dissertation projects. It is delivered as a series of individual tutorials in which students shape their dissertation project with the assistance of their dissertation supervisors.
The dissertation expands study of a project begun either as part of AHM0230 Research Project or ARM0460 Exhibition 1 (depending on the choice of degree scheme). For MA in Art History candidates, the dissertation represents a sustained discourse on material sources uncovered in AHM0230 or ARM0460. For MA in Art History candidates, the dissertation pursues ideas explored previously in a visual field and develop them further within an art historical context and a theoretical framework.
The module encourages students to apply methodologies and approaches to research that are developed in both research-training modules and in the context of dissertation tutorials.
It also prepares students for research and academic writing at MPhil and PhD level.

Content

The Dissertation module enables students to demonstrate independent research by producing a sustained study on a topic chosen by the students and in keeping with staff research interests as well as scope of the School of Art collection and the curatorial programme of its Museum and Galleries.
The module is delivered as a series of individual tutorials in which students discuss and shape their dissertation project under the guidance of their dissertation supervisors.

Module skills

Skills type	Skills details
Communication	Sustaining an argument, negotiating a research project and responding to staff feedback.
Improving own Learning and Performance	Effective note-taking, debating issues, asking questions and responding to feedback.
Information Technology	Making effective use of IT for research.
Personal Development and Career planning	Demonstrating professionalism, diligence and commitment while carrying out independent research, as well as an ability to negotiate a project, meet deadlines and respond effectively to feedback.
Problem solving	Working out strategies of dealing effectively with unfamiliar, current and emerging research in a timely manner. Negotiating the project with the supervisor.
Research skills	Accessing, assessing and documenting sources relevant to a chosen subject.
Subject Specific Skills	Observing, describing, analysing, interpreting and contextualising primary sources (works of art, archives) using subject-specific secondary sources (theory, criticism, art history).

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7