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SLL40820

Academic Year 2025/2026

MALI Dissertation (SLL40820)

Subject:
Languages, Cultures & Ling
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Languages, Cultures & Linguis
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
30
Module Coordinator:
Professor Síofra Pierse
Trimester:
Summer
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module offers students of MA in Languages and Image Studies (MALI) the chance to undertake autonomous guided research in their chosen Image Studies area, through planning and writing one extended research dissertation.
Dissertations should be 12,000-15,000 words, including footnotes, but excluding Bibliography. 15,000 is an absolute upper limit.

Opportunity for MA student to develop research skills by writing an extended piece of research work, guided by a dedicated supervisor(s) from SLCL.

Before admission to this module, students must write a short proposal (350-500 words), and list suggested names of possible supervisor to the MALI Director. Not all proposals will be accepted. If a proposal is not accepted for whatever reason (reasons include; proposal; project; lack of supervision; other, including non-specified reasons) students must continue with SLL40400 Research Essays.

Students must not ask supervisors to work with them directly: the MALI Director arranges this.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, students will have
1) Developed the ability to undertake and manage an autonomous research dissertation project
2) Planned, structured and completed a sustained, in-depth piece of academic research under the supervision and guidance of a member of academic staff (Lecturer or Teaching Fellow)
3) Researched and developed an adequate Bibliography on a chosen Image Studies topic
4) Submitted a dissertation-length piece of academic research, complete with analysis, reflection and consultation of secondary critical material in the field, on a topic within Image Studies by the required deadline (mid August).

Indicative Module Content:

This module offers students of MA in Languages and Image Studies (MALI) the chance to undertake autonomous guided research in their chosen Image Studies area, through planning and writing one extended research dissertation (12,000-15,000 words).

Dissertation(12,000-15,000 words), written using careful academic formatting (see MHRA) comprising:

1 Title
2 Table of Contents (Chapter List)
3 Chapters
4 Conclusion
5 Bibliography

MALI dissertation topics may, but need not, link to a MALI module students have taken.
MALI Full-Time students must submit a possible dissertation proposal to MALI Director before Week 4 of T2 (very latest). Students may indicate preferred supervisors, but they may not be allocated their choice.
MALI Part-Time students who wish to switch from Research Essays to MALI Dissertation should submit their MALI Dissertation proposal to the MALI Director before the end of Trimester 3, Year 1.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

594
Project Supervision

6
Total

600

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students will be guided to write on a topic of their choice relating to Image Studies.
Critical analysis on Image Studies topic will lead to a dissertation under the supervision of an academic lecturer/postdoctoral colleague.

Dissertations are autonomous work, guided by supervisors.
Supervisors and the MALI Director will discuss organisation, and execution of an in-depth piece of academic research.
Supervisors will adivse on development of an adequate Bibliography on the chosen Image Studies topic.
Supervisors will read early drafts of parts of a dissertation-length piece of research on a topic within Image Studies.

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
Reflective Assignment: MALI dissertation preparatory work: submission of 500-word Abstract (Project summary)
+ Draft (initial) Chapter Plan/ Organisation
+ Draft indicative Bibliography		 Week 4 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No
Thesis/Dissertation: MALI dissertation:12,000-15,000 words in length.
Dissertation must be worked on with allocated supervisor (maximum 6 meetings)		 Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
80
 No
Reflective Assignment: Short reflection by student re final MALI Dissertation Bibliography, dissertation structure, research process (250-500 words). Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
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
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students may meet with MALI dissertation supervisor up to 6 times before submission. Regular engagement is expected. Feedback may be given on early drafts but not on penultimate drafts (near submission).

Name Role
Dr Pascale Baker Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Eva Bru-Dominguez Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Douglas Smith Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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