DISSERTATION - 2020/1

Module Overview

This module enables students to conduct a significant independent study, supported by a supervisor, and resulting in either written or part written/part practical outcomes putting into practice some of the research skills they have developed through relevant modules at Levels 4 and 5, informed by relevant interdisciplinary approaches. it would normally be expected that the student’s topic will be located within questions drawing mainly from their main pathway of study, with perspectives drawn from the compulsory modules and their secondary pathway modules. Due account will be made of where this is not practicable: the integrity of the research project should be the primary concern. Students will be assigned a supervisor who will assist them in choosing their subject matter and approach, and who will provide advice, encouragement and formative feedback over the course of the writing process, as well as suggesting relevant reading material which may help inspire or critically locate the project. As part of the preparation for the Dissertation, students will also submit an abstract, chapter outline and literature review.

Module provider

School of Literature and Languages

Module Leader

POWRIE Philip (Lit & Langs)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None  

Module content

The module gives students an opportunity to engage in an extended piece of work and to develop, in a detailed manner, a substantive topic appropriate to their main pathway. The type of Dissertation will vary, depending on individual interests, but is likely to follow one of the following patterns, or a combination of them:

• A piece of empirical research, using the research methods and skills covered by modules at Levels 4 and 5 of the programme. Students may conduct primary or secondary research in an area.


• An action research project, which aims to bring about change in an organisation in which the student works. This would typically be carried out during the professional placement year, within the placement organisation but in negotiation with the tutor. It could also be conducted in another organisation with which the student has some connection, if appropriate.


• A theoretical piece of work exploring, in considerable depth, one or more of the issues raised by programme modules.

Those students following the programme without Level P are encouraged to consider a topic relating to a placement in an organisation.

Students will be expected to submit an abstract, a chapter outline and a literature review during the autumn semester.  They will receive feedback on both pieces and their work will contribute towards their final mark.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

120 credits at level 5

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the following.

The abstract, chapter outline and literature review aims to give students the opportunity to:

• demonstrate their fundamental interest for the topic of their choice

• reflect on their own learning throughout their degree and make use of the reading material


• identify relevant theoretical frameworks and schools of thought


• critically apply their perception on the needs of a research project


• evaluate different research approaches and their relevance to their research question(s)


• access relevant material to extract information


• prepare the ground for their Dissertation

The module in addition aims to give students the opportunity to

• assess and constructively incorporate previous feedback from their supervisor and the workshops


• identify relevant literature that supports their choice of method


• identify, investigate and analyse evidence through appropriate research methods and design


• critically assess evidence to draw their own conclusions


• demonstrate a range of research skills


• become highly-versed in the topic of their choice


• consolidate the knowledge gained through their degree

The summative assessment for this module consists of:

• An abstract, chapter outline and literature review of 2000 words, setting the ground for the Dissertation.


• A Dissertation of approximately 10,000 words that incorporates a revised version of the first assessment in addition to expanding on the research methods and research design components and adding on further empirical material as required by the topic.

Formative assessment and feedback is provided through the supervision sessions and the workshops. They will also receive feedback from their markers in the abstract, chapter outline and literature review components, to be used as frameworks for guidance in addition to their supervision meetings. Workshops will be an opportunity to discuss feedback and provide peer review for the students’ work.

Module aims

• An opportunity to put into practice some of the research skills they have developed through relevant modules at Levels 4 & 5
• The opportunity to pursue a specific interest in depth within their chosen pathway of study
• Appropriate critical and theoretical awareness
• The ability to undertake independent research, analysis, critical thinking, writing and guided independent study
• Skills in time management
• Research methodology skills specific to the individual topic

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Give students individual and group support in producing an extended piece of independent research;


• Connect students’ individual experiences and understandings from across their studies to date through the Dissertation;


• Provide opportunities for students to gain experience in presenting their research in a number of different ways.

Learning and teaching methods

In order to give students training in the research skills needed to plan and complete an independent and large-scale research project, this module includes three two-hour workshops which are compulsory for all students. Students will also have five supervisory meetings of approximately one hour each. They will submit an assessed component (abstract, chapter outline and literature review) by the end of Semester 1; this will be assessed and generic feedback given in the final workshop.

Programme with approximate timings:

• Sem 1 Wk 1: Supervisory meeting 1


• Sem 1 Wk 3: Workshop 1 on planning and structure


• Sem 1 Wk 7:  Supervisory meeting 2


• Sem 1 Wk 9: Workshop 2 (troubleshooting)


• Sem 1 Wk 11: Supervisory meeting 3


• Sem 1 Wk 15: Submission of abstract, chapter outline and literature review (end of Sem 1 exam period)


• Sem 2 Wk 3: Workshop 3 (discussion of abstract, chapter outline and literature review)


• Sem 2 Wk 4: Supervisory meeting 4


• Sem 2 Wk 10: Supervisory meeting 5 (if required)


• Sem 2 Wk 12: Submission of Dissertation (end of revision week)

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: LAS3005

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.