Module Catalogue 2024/25

POL8098 : Dissertation

POL8098 : Dissertation

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Derek Bell
  • Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 3 Credit Value: 70
ECTS Credits: 35.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims to:

•       enable students to undertake an in-depth study of a topic within the area of their MA Politics (Research) degree;

•       provide students with the opportunity to engage in a major research exercise that, in scope and scale, significantly exceeds that of their coursework papers;

•       give students experience of selecting and applying intellectual frameworks, undertaking original research and presenting their results in a scholarly fashion;

•       develop skills such as written communication, planning and initiative.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module is available to MA Politics (Research) degree students only.

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

This module aims to:

•       enable students to undertake an in-depth study of a topic within the area of their MA degree
•       provide students with the opportunity to engage in a major research exercise that, in scope and scale, significantly exceeds that of their coursework papers
•       give students experience of selecting and applying intellectual frameworks, undertaking original research and presenting their results in a scholarly fashion
•       develop skills such as written communication, planning and initiative

Intended Skill Outcomes

Intended skills outcome include:

•       improve ability to find information by using effective research techniques.
•       gain experience in drafting and editing lengthy reports.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials31:003:00Asynchronous; PCAP
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching11:001:00In person, S 2
Guided Independent StudyStudent-led group activity1688:00688:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery11:001:00S2, in person
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDissertation/project related supervision61:006:00Meet with supervisor
Guided Independent StudyOnline Discussion11:001:00Q&A on Canvas
Total700:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Students will have the support of a supervisor to help them design the project and to be available to offer advice whilst the work is completed.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Research proposal2M51000 word Dissertation Proposal
Dissertation3M9512,000 word Dissertation
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The proposal encompasses a clear statement of a relevant research topic or question; a brief review of the literature to indicate the contribution this research will make; a research design including a description of the methods to be used in gathering and analysing information; and a proposed chapter outline and timeline. This proposal is linked to the knowledge outcomes with regard to signalling a sufficient knowledge of the field to be able to identify the contribution the research will make as well as a sufficient knowledge of the appropriate theoretical, methodological and disciplinary questions. The proposal also prepares the students to begin to develop the skills described here, particularly their ability to find information using effective research techniques. The dissertation itself is an extended report of the research and findings and, thus, must demonstrate not only the ability to employ effective research techniques, and also to draft and edit a lengthy report, but also elaborate a theoretically and methodologically informed argument that demonstrates breadth and depth of knowledge of the topic of the dissertation.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.