Modules

Module title: Dissertation or Major Project
SCQF level: 11:
SCQF credit value: 60.00
ECTS credit value: 30
Module code: CLP11143
Module leader: Tara Thomson
School School of Arts and Creative Industries
Subject area group: Humanities and Culture
Prerequisites

N/A
2019/0, Trimester 1, FACE-TO-FACE,
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: FACE-TO-FACE
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Tara Thomson
Module Organiser:


Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:
You will be oriented toward high-level independent study based on the preparatory work conducted in previous modules, particularly the compulsory modules (LOs 1,2,3,4,5,6). While you are encouraged to think about your project planning in advance of the module, the core of the work will occur over one trimester. In the previous trimester, prior to beginning this module, you will be asked to submit a topic to the dissertation module leader so we can allocate a supervisor. You will then have access to up to 6 hours of supervision (face-to-face or online). Your supervisor will work closely with you on a one-to-one basis to set goals, monitor progress, and provide general and specific advice on research strategies, framing questions and scholarly writing. Moodle is used to provide further general guidance, and will be used as a forum for student discussion.

Formative Assessment:
There is one formative assessment task in preparation for the dissertation or major project: a proposal, with accompanying working bibliography, to be submitted in week 1 (LOs 3,4). You will be encouraged to draw on learning from all relevant taught modules in shaping this proposal (LOs 1,2,5). While the proposal won’t be graded, your supervisor will provide you with formative feedback on the scope and content of the proposal in preparation for continuing with the project.

You will continue to benefit from formative feed-forward (both oral and written) on your dissertation or major project work from your supervisor. At this level, you are expected to work autonomously, so it will ultimately be your responsibility to provide draft chapters or other work in progress, on which your supervisor can provide formative feed-forward. Arrangements for the timing of draft work and feed-forward will be agreed with your supervisor at the beginning of the dissertation process.
Summative Assessment:
This module has a single component of summative assessment, to be submitted in week 15 of Trimester 3 (LOs 1,2,3,4,5,6). For this assessment, you can choose one of two options: 1) a written dissertation of 15,000 words, or 2) a major project including a digital or public engagement project element, alongside a written dissertation of between 7,000 and 10,000 words that complements and reflects on the project work. If you choose option 2, the required word count of the written dissertation will be decided in conversation with your supervisor, taking into account the scope of the project element.

Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face Project Supervision 6
Independent Learning Guided independent study 594
Total Study Hours600
Expected Total Study Hours for Module600


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Dissertation 100 1,2,3,4,5,6 15 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 15000
Component 1 subtotal: 100
Component 2 subtotal: 0
Module subtotal: 100

Description of module content:

The dissertation or major project is the culmination of the Master’s programme and will draw on your learning over the course of the programme. The dissertation or project is studied independently with the guidance of a supervisor and is a chance for you to pursue and develop academic research in an area of particular interest within the Digital and/or Public Humanities. You will design your own research questions, and will be able to choose one of two options: 1) a conventional Humanities-style written dissertation, or 2) a major project including a digital or public engagement project element, alongside a written dissertation that draws on relevant research to complement and critically reflect on the project element.

The dissertation requires you to put into practice a range of skills developed over the course of the programme, such as: research project design and management; searching, critically appraising, and synthesising knowledge from relevant academic literature; applying theoretical and practical frameworks; independent critical analysis; creative engagement with forefront debates in the field; and research writing and dissemination.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to
LO1: Critically engage with specialised theories, practices and debates that shape the topic area, with an awareness of how these sit within a wider field of study
LO2: Draw conclusions based on extensive, detailed and critical knowledge of the specialised topic area.
LO3: Generate research questions and ideas appropriate to the field of study, which demonstrate critical awareness of current issues and developments at the forefront of the field.
LO4: Plan and justify appropriate research methods, theoretical and/or practical frameworks, and ethical approaches.
LO5: Critically appraise and synthesise academic research relevant to the topic area.
LO6: Produce a significant piece of independent research that draws on knowledge, skills and understanding at the forefront of the discipline
Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
Contact your module leader
 

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