The Long Dissertation is a three-term 40-credit 3rd year Option in which the student prepares an extended piece of written work (of up to 8,000 words) on new material in substantial depth under the guidance of a supervisor.
Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A | Semester 1 2024-25 to Semester 2 2024-25 |
Subject Content
Academic and Graduate Skills
Subject content
Academic and graduate skills
Application for the Long Dissertation
A student who wants to carry out an extended investigation in the third year on a focused and specialised topic can apply to the Philosophy Board of Studies for permission to do a Long Dissertation, submitting a plan of their proposed subject. The intention to apply for such a module should be indicated when Year 3 option modules are chosen. But formal application can be made at any time up to Friday of Week 5 of the summer term immediately before the student’s final year.
Students should in the first instance discuss their idea with their supervisor and identify a potential project supervisor. (Students who do not have a Philosophy supervisor should contact the Philosophy link academic for their degree programme.) Students should then approach the potential project supervisor and agree a title and a brief proposal, which the project supervisor can then submit to the Board of Studies for approval.
The proposal should:
The subject proposed should not be a mere duplication of topics covered in already available modules, though it may comprise a substantial and detailed development of such a topic. In deciding on a topic for a Long Dissertation, students should take care to avoid extensive overlap with any Year 3 module for which they have registered. Long Dissertations may pursue topics related to Year 3 modules, but students should take steps to ensure that they will not find themselves in a position in which it is difficult to avoid duplication of material in the Long Dissertation and other assessments. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss potential overlap with tutors scheduled to teach the relevant module/s.
Overambitious or poorly researched proposals will not receive approval.
In addition to an approved proposal, students need to have a Year 2 average of at least 60 to be eligible to take the Long Dissertation.
Programme of Work
Semester 1
Semester 2
Task | Length | % of module mark |
---|---|---|
Essay/coursework 3000 Word Outline & Bibliography |
N/A | 10 |
Essay/coursework 8000 Word Essay |
N/A | 90 |
None
Summative assessment (10%), Semester 1 Revision and Assessment Period: Outline (1000 words) and Annotated Bibliography (2000 words)
Summative assessment (90%), Semester 2 RA Period: Essay (8000 words)
None
All feedback will be returned in line with University and Departmental policy.
Recommended reading is dependent upon the topic chosen.