Dissertation
MODULE CODE
CREDIT VALUE
DELIVERY
Module Aims
Aim 1
To provide students with an opportunity to undertake extended individual research on a chosen topic with the support of an assigned academic supervisor
Aim 2
To enable students to demonstrate the ability to originate, plan and write a coherent piece of work based on a clear hypothesis that must involve the use of both primary and secondary source material.
Aim 3
To enable students to demonstrate an appropriate level of specialist knowledge and to articulate that knowledge in a coherent, sustained and extensive piece of academic writing.
Aim 4
To enable students to demonstrate a greater degree of independent learning beyond that required for the single dissertation.
Aim 5
To facilitate an independent, proactive and reflective approach to learning.
Module Content
Students are expected to originate the topic for their dissertation in consultation with academic staff.
Students may write on any area within the broad field of Film and Media, subject to approval.
Students undertaking the dissertation will be expected to demonstrate a clear understanding of relevant theoretical constructs and research methodologies, as well as a clear hypothesis underpinning their research project.
Students will also be expected to attend a series of approximately 4-6 workshops/lectures which will instruct them on how to define a topic, use good scholarly practice, develop their research skills and their ability to use good scholarly practice and guide them in planning independent work.
Students will then be expected to meet with their designated supervisor during the course of the year to develop their research with appropriate guidance.
Students will produce a literature review half way through semester one, through which they will need explore the primary and secondary sources they are intending to use and consider how they are relevant to their own research project.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
Teaching Methods
The dissertation is designed to promote and develop extensive independent learning through the application of a range of generic skills applied to a specialist topic of the student’s own choice in consultation with their dissertation supervisor.
General guidelines governing the conduct of the supervisory process, the development of research topics, and the format and presentation of projects will be distributed to students in booklet form. Further advice on independent study techniques, on the use of research materials, and on the composition and presentation of a research project will be given by supervisors according to the needs of the specific topic and the existing strengths and weaknesses of the student. Supervisors will encourage students to attain standards of good scholarly practice in the subject including coherence of argument, precision and sensitivity in the interpretation of texts, clarity of style and overall structure, alertness to methodological problems and solutions, and exact and scrupulous observation of scholarly and bibliographical conventions. While an original contribution to knowledge is not required, credit will be given for resourcefulness and independence of thought will be encouraged and valued.
Assessment Methods
This module is assessed through one Dissertation administration file and one Dissertation.
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Compulsory
Optional
