English and History Bridge Dissertation (with History Supervisor) - HIS00227H

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Module summary

The dissertation is one of the most exciting and most ambitious modules of your degree. Building on your Research Proposal (‘Texts & Histories’, Year 2), you will produce a sustained piece of work on a topic of your choosing that bridges English and History. You will be allocated a dissertation supervisor in the History Department who will offer tailored support throughout the process, and you will attend lectures in the History Department that guide you through the challenges of refining your project, conducting your research, and producing an extended piece of scholarly writing. You are also encouraged to consult with staff in English, as required. You will learn how to engage critically with existing scholarship, identify your own original contribution to your chosen field, and develop and sustain an argument across 7-8,000 words.

The module will help you to undertake extensive independent research, communicate your primary source / textual analysis and scholarly insights to a range of readers and audiences, and present your research and close readings clearly and persuasively. You may extend and develop ideas that have fascinated you in previous modules or undertake historical and literary research in an area that you have not previously studied.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 1 2026-27 to Semester 2 2026-27

Module aims

The aims of this module are to enable students to develop key skills in independent research and writing, with appropriate academic guidance and writing support. The module will offer students the opportunity to explore one element of their historical and literary interests in considerable depth. It will further enhance students’ core skills in research and writing, library and IT use, and transferable skills in communication, time management, and organisation.

Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, you should be able to:

• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of and engagement with an appropriate range of primary sources / texts, as identified by you, and the ability to undertake independent research on a focused topic.
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of and engagement with relevant contextual, critical, and theoretical materials and approaches in History and English.
• Evaluate key debates within the relevant academic fields or historiographical / theoretical frameworks dealing with your chosen research topic.
• Produce independent arguments and ideas which demonstrate an advanced proficiency in critical thinking, research, and writing skills.

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100.0

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100.0

Module feedback

Students will receive detailed feedback on the draft work submitted at the start of semester two as well as timetabled sessions with their advisor. Throughout they are encouraged to consult with their advisor and other academic staff in student hours. For more information, see the Statement of Assessment.

Indicative reading

Key texts will depend on the subject of the dissertation research.