DISSERTATION - 2025/6
Module code: SOCM070
Module Overview
The dissertation is an extended piece of writing (10,000-15,000 words) which allows the student to work on a topic independently in depth, with appropriate guidance from a supervisor. It enables students to use the social research methodologies developed during the taught programme to explore a criminological or sociological topic of particular interest and to synthesise the skills and knowledge which they have acquired.
Module provider
Sociology
Module Leader
SETTY Emily (Sociology)
Number of Credits: 60
ECTS Credits: 30
Framework: FHEQ Level 7
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Workshop Hours: 2
Independent Learning Hours: 584
Seminar Hours: 3
Tutorial Hours: 5
Guided Learning: 3
Captured Content: 3
Module Availability
Year long
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
N/A
Module content
- 3 seminars related to dissertation writing.
- Dissertation Workshop at MSc Conference
- Tutorials & Supervisions
- The dissertation is a piece of research on any well-specified question relating to an academic area covered by the programme
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Project (Group/Individual/Dissertation) | Dissertation (10,000-15,000 words) | 100 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to formulate research questions, design a research project using appropriate methods, carry out independent analysis and finally to present a well- structured and competent dissertation.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- 10,000-15,000 word Dissertation
Formative assessment and feedback
- All full-time and Year 2 part-time students should submit a short statement of their proposed research topic in in Week 6 Semester 1 for full-time students and Week 15, Semester 2 for part-time students.
- All full-time and Year 2 part-time students should submit a written dissertation research proposal of 2-3 pages by week 1 of Semester 2 for full-time students and by week 6, semester 3 for part-time students.
Module aims
- Critically identify, define and conceptualise an appropriate topic for research within the social sciences
- Undertake a systematic review and analysis of relevant and appropriate primary and secondary sources
- Execute a defined research project using appropriate research methodologies and techniques of enquiry
- Critically evaluate, analyse and present research findings
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Critical awareness of contemporary debates in the study of one or more particular areas of the social sciences such as criminology or sociology | K |
| 002 | In-depth understanding of relevant theoretical perspectives | K |
| 003 | Understanding of techniques of research and enquiry and their application to the study of social science | K |
| 004 | The demonstration of a critical knowledge and understanding of the relationship between the theory and the practice of research within the social sciences | K |
| 005 | Gather, organise and deploy evidence and information from a range of different sources | C |
| 006 | Analyse and synthesise a wide range of material in verbal and numerical formats | C |
| 007 | Apply theoretical frameworks to empirical analysis | C |
| 008 | The critical review of knowledge, understanding skills and practice within social science research | C |
| 009 | Design and conduct a research project, selecting appropriate methods of data collection and analysis | P |
| 010 | Demonstrate competencies in library-based information search and retrieval skills | P |
| 011 | The communication and interpretation of quantitative and/or qualitative data in the production of a written thesis | P |
| 012 | The development of digital literacy in the use of online research engines and tools | P |
| 013 | Communicate and present ideas effectively | T |
| 014 | Organise and plan own work | T |
| 015 | Adopt a proactive approach to problem-solving | T |
| 016 | Deploy a range of relevant research skills | T |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
Form appropriate capacities to conduct research within social science. This is supported by seminars, tutorials, individual consultation and discussion as well as independent research. The Dissertation Guidelines on SurreyLearn also provide detailed guidance on scholarly conventions and procedures for writing the dissertation.
Methods of Learning and Teaching include seminars, tutorials and a workshop.
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: SOCM070
Other information
The Department of Sociology is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in all these areas, as highlighted throughout this module descriptor. A summary of how this is achieved for each of the five key pillars is provided below:
Digital Capabilities
- Understanding how to use digital technologies to conduct research in the social science
Global and Cultural Capabilities
- Developing understanding of global and cultural factors in social science research
Sustainability
-Evaluating the impacts of social science research upon the pursuit of social justice, addressing inequalities and protecting the environment
Employability
- Gaining applied experience of gathering and using data across a range of work contexts
Resourcefulness and resilience
- Developing independence and proactivity in learning
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 2025/6 academic year.