HIS41030 Dissertation

Academic Year 2021/2022

A 15,000 word research dissertation on an area of history

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

The student should be able to complete a research dissertation appropriate to a postgraduate student of history.

Indicative Module Content:

The 15,000-word dissertation is at the core of the MA. It will allow you to engage with an area of research that interests you. You will explore the existing historiography of the topic, as well as engaging with a body of primary source evidence in order to make an original contribution in the field. Your work will be carefully supervised by one of the School's experts, with topic to be agreed between the student and the supervisor.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

4
Specified Learning Activities

400
Autonomous Student Learning

600
Total

1,004
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The dissertation is a substantial pieced of original research and writing. The student will pursue this research independently, but within a structured framework which offers significant support. The student will engage in critical writing and reflective learning. Under close guidance from a supervisor, the student will read into the existing historiography of their chosen topic; identify and complete relevant primary source research; and write a 15,000-word dissertation. The supervisor will read and offer feedback and comments on written work, but each chapter will be read only once.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Dissertation (History) (HIS40220)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: 15,000 word research disseration Unspecified n/a Graded No

100

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat Within Two Trimesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

In semester 1, the student will assigned a supervisor. The student's research topic should be aligned as far as possible with the expertise of your nominated supervisor. During individual feedback sessions, the student will discuss potential areas for research with the supervisor. The supervisor will provide individual feedback to students suggesting further avenues of investigation, and the research topic will be refined between the student and supervisor. During supervisory meetings students will be provided with individual feedback on contextual literature and primary sources. Students will be given individual feedback on written work provided it is submitted in due time. Each chapter will be read only once.