Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The module is the “capstone” of your degree, which gives you the opportunity to pursue a research topic that has your particular interest, and to carry out independent research on it under the guidance of a supervisor. The result will be a Dissertation of 12,000 words.

Possible topics include a wide range of subjects within Greek and Roman literature, thought and culture. You will receive guidance on topic choice, but are encouraged to think of possibilities yourself.

The aims of this module are:

To allow students an opportunity to pursue in more depth a topic of their choice, applying skills learnt elsewhere in their degree programme.
To promote the skills of independent self-study, in particular: the ability to plan, organise and research an extended piece of written work; and initiative in identifying and solving intellectual problems posed by the topic studied.

Outline Of Syllabus

A topic will be chosen in consultation with the module leader, who will assign each student to a member of staff who will act as supervisor.
Preliminary lectures offer general guidance, e.g. about carrying out research, finding appropriate bibliography and academic writing.
The emphasis, however, is on independent work, under the guidance of the supervisor, who will be available for a number of supervisory sessions throughout the year.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should:
1. have acquired a detailed knowledge of the particular topic/text/aspect chosen.
2. have developed an awareness of particular issues, questions and problems associated with their chosen topic, and with its place within the study of the ancient world.
3. (where the chosen topic relates to another module which the student is taking) have developed a knowledge and awareness of aspects and issues concerning their topic which go beyond what they have learnt in the taught syllabus of the relevant module.

Intended Skill Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should:
1. have developed skills associated with the undertaking of an independent research-style project, especially skills of initiative, planning and organisation, and adaptability in applying skills learnt elsewhere in the degree programme to new material.
2. have further developed their skills of analysis.
3. have further developed their skills of written communication.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The scheduled contact sessions are used to (1) emphasize and clarify the arrangements, to ensure that students have all the information needed to do their work independently; (2) summarize and discuss, and thereby reinforce, the skills needed for independent writing and researching as taught in the previous years (particularly in the Stage-2 skills modules): study skills, writing skills, and awareness of research methods and tools.

Workshop sessions are used to reinforce skills training and give students the opportunity to practise specific skills on evidence relevant to their dissertation.

The supervision tutorials are used to support students individually in formulating their research questions, in structuring their writing, in finding their way in the scholarly literature, and in analyzing the texts (and other materials) used in their project; and to encourage them in further developing their skills at independent work.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Students must submit an essay plan, due in the course of Semester 1. This plan ensures that students come to grips with their topic at an early stage, so that they have enough time to write the dissertation itself, and a firm basis on which to do so.

The dissertation assesses students’ knowledge and understanding of their chosen topic and of the issues involved in it; their ability independently to apply skills of analysis and interpretative tools to a topic beyond the taught syllabus; and their skills of initiative, planning, organisation and adaptability in selecting and defining an appropriate topic, assembling relevant primary and secondary material, outlining the approach to be taken, and organising a schedule for completing the various stages of the project. It also assesses their skills in written communication.

Submitted work tests intended knowledge and skills outcomes, develops key skills in research, reading and writing.

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General Notes

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