LONG DISSERTATION - 2021/2

Module Overview

This is a FHEQ Level 6 module for Modern Languages students. It is taken over Autumn and Spring semesters, with contact hours arranged individually between student and supervisor. It allows students to undertake a long research project in one of their target languages.

Module provider

School of Literature and Languages

Module Leader

MARLEY Dawn (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

120 credits at FHEQ Level 5

Module content

Content will be determined by the student, in collaboration with a supervisor.
Students will select an area of research, often related to their PTY experience, related to the language in which they are writing. This will often be related to their PTY experience.They will then develop the project in an appropriate way, either as an empirical or theoretical piece of research.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate
• Knowledge and understanding of the use of the target language;
• Ability to develop and defend a sound argument;
• Ability to select and synthesise information from written and oral texts;
• Ability to take notes effectively and use IT skills to find and present relevant information;
• Subject-specific knowledge of a specific area of their studies.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
• Dissertation (8000 words). This enables the student to demonstrate their research skills, ability to use accurate academic register in target language, presentation skills, and depth of understanding and knowledge of their subject.
• Oral presentation and discussion (15 minutes). Enables students to demonstrate their ability to speak fluently and accurately in target language on their chosen subject and engage in discussion with unknown audience on the subject.


Formative assessment
Formative assessment will take place during supervision sessions, when supervisors will give guidance on how to improve drafts of work. Students will also submit an outline of work and 2000 words.

Feedback
Supervisors will give written and verbal feedback on interim submissions during the supervision meetings.

Module aims

• Give students the opportunity to pursue a specific interest in depth in one target language.
• Develop skills in independent research, analysis, critical thinking, writing and guided independent study.
• Develop skills in time management.
• Build on the communication skills and oral proficiency acquired during the PT year.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
• Enable students to deepen explicit knowledge of the linguistic structures, grammar and stylistic registers through reading in the target language;
• Encourage learner autonomy through undertaking an individual research project;
• Develop research skills through reading and presenting findings in the dissertation;
• Enable students to engage in analytical and evaluative thinking, to analyse and interpret texts and other cultural products through individual research.
• Acquire an in-depth knowledge of the subject under investigation.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Up to six scheduled meetings with a supervisor, where the student can seek advice and guidance, and discuss ideas and plans to take the project forward. Supervision meetings must be spread evenly over the year.

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: LAN3003

Other information

N/A

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 2021/2 academic year.