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AH30690

Academic Year 2025/2026

Art History Dissertation (AH30690)

Subject:
Art History
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Art History & Cultural Policy
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Professor Lynda Mulvin
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module is intended for advanced final-year Art History students. Before registering, please contact the module co-ordinator, Prof. Lynda Mulvin by email: lmulvin@ucd.ie, to ascertain your eligibility. AH30690 involves researching and writing a dissertation of 4,000-6,000 words under the supervision of one of the teaching staff. There will be a small number of introductory classes. The topic of the dissertation will be agreed between the student and the supervisor, and should be constructed around an argument and be realisable with the limited timeframe of the trimester. Unlike other undergraduate modules, students taking AH30690 are expected to work for the most part independently and to demonstrate initiative in developing their topic. The dissertation is an exercise which will help to develop essential skills, including the study of written and visual sources, and the ability to present arguments cogently and to summarise findings in a coherent manner.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
- research independently
- present their findings in a scholarly manner
- apply the techniques of citation, annotation and bibliography.

Indicative Module Content:

This module largely involves independent research and writing to be carried out by the student under the supervision of an academic member of staff. There will be some introductory classes which will introduce students to sources and research skills, the importance of formulating a methodology and arguments, and to the standards required of a good dissertation.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

95

Autonomous Student Learning

125

Lectures

4

Practical

1

Total

225


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students undertake a substantial written project (4,000-5,000 words) based on independent research and guidance from a designated supervisor.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Thesis/Dissertation: Students undertake a substantial written project (7,000-7,500 words) based on independent research and guidance from a designated supervisor including a practical skills reflection exercise. Week 12 Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes
70
Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Title, Abstract and Bibliography Week 3 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
10
No
Assignment(Including Essay): Partial first draft of dissertation Week 8 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
10
No
Practical Skills Assessment: Short Oral Interview on research methods Week 10 Graded No
10
No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will have access to a designated supervisor throughout the research and writing process. After the dissertation has been submitted and graded, students can make an appointment with their supervisor to discuss their performance.

Name Role
Dr Sean Leatherbury Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29 Mon 15:00 - 15:50