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Dissertation Training Module - HOA00005I

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  • Department: History of Art
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Nicola Sinclair
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module summary

The year-long Dissertation Training module equips students to embark on their final year dissertation/bridge essay, the culimation of the undergraduate degree.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24 to Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

The year-long Dissertation Training module equips students to embark on their final year dissertation/bridge essay, the culimation of the undergraduate degree. Through a combination of large and small group workshops, VLE work and independent research, this module guides students through the process of generating initial dissertation ideas, identifying which ideas appear most promising, refining a topic, developing an independent approach to their material, and defining a programme of research and writing. Students will be encouraged to think independently and imaginatively in developing their research interests, and at the same time they will discover the rigorous steps necessary to bring their ideas to fruition.

At the end of the module, students submit a portfolio laying out a proposed topic and plan of action for their dissertation or bridge essay. By devoting time to developing topic ideas and honing research skills, students will emerge well prepared to tackle the largely independent process of dissertation/bridge essay research and writing in the following year.

Module learning outcomes

At the end of this module students will have:

  • learned how to devise and articulate a suitable dissertation topic
  • learned how to conduct a successful research campaign
  • honed their bibliographical and presentation skills

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Dissertation Proposal Portfolio		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Dissertation Proposal Portfolio		 N/A 100

Module feedback

You will receive feedback on assessed work within the timeframes set out by the University - please check the Guide to Assessment, Standards, Marking and Feedback for more information.

The purpose of feedback is to help you to improve your future work. If you do not understand your feedback or want to talk about your ideas further, you are warmly encouraged to meet your Supervisor during their Office Hours.

Indicative reading

Useful Preparatory Reading:

  • Robert Macfarlane, The Old Ways. A Journey on Foot, Penguin Books: London, New York, 2013
  • Carolyn Steadman, Dust, Manchester University Press: Manchester, 2002
  • J. Bell & S. Waters, Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First-time Researchers, Open University Press: London, 2018


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.