Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

Students will need to have completed, and passed, the 80-credit module CPP Research Assignments (either the full-time or the part-time version) before progressing to the dissertation.

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

1. To enable students to undertake independent research of limited scale at postgraduate level in preparation for PhD study, or as a research Masters, as appropriate;

2. To introduce students to a range of research methodologies and theories appropriate to their interests and previous experience and to the wider nature of cultural property protection in the event of armed conflict and following environmental disasters;

3. To enable students to apply appropriate research methodologies and theories to relevant content, data or source material; and

4. To enable students to organise and plan their research and to produce a coherent analysis, in the form of a dissertation.

This module consists of a detailed and innovative study which relates directly to the specific subject or theme of the MLitt, developing a student’s MLitt topic through independent but guided research supported by supervision meetings.

Outline Of Syllabus

The dissertation will normally be between 16,000 and 24,000 words in length including footnotes and appendices but excluding bibliography. It will consist of a detailed and innovative study which relates directly to the specific subject or theme of the MLitt set within the wider context of the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict or following environmental disaster. The subject of the dissertation must be extensively discussed and approved by the student’s supervisor.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students successfully completing the module will have developed a detailed knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the evidence for, and methodological and theoretical approaches relevant to, their chosen subject or theme set within the wider context of the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict or following environmental disaster. They will have produced a detailed and innovative study which relates directly to the specific subject or theme of the MLitt.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Students successfully completing the module will have developed the practical and interpretative skills necessary to study their chosen subject or theme at a Master’s level. This will involve the gathering and analysis of new data, the development of original arguments, and the presentation of conclusions and recommendations.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The subject of the dissertation will be extensively discussed and approved by the student’s supervisor and approved by the Module Leader (if a different person). The dissertation will consist of a detailed and innovative study which relates directly to the specific subject or theme of the MLitt chosen by the student in conjunction with the Module Leader and any other member(s) of academic staff involved in the supervision, set within the wider context of the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict or following environmental disaster.

The balance between contact and non-contact time will be a matter for negotiation between the Module Leader, any other member(s) of academic staff who may undertake, or contribute to, supervision of the dissertation, and the student. The balance will depend upon the nature, methodology, and theoretical approach, of the dissertation. Students will be offered a minimum of ten hours' supervision for the dissertation.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The 80-credit dissertation assesses students' knowledge and understanding of their chosen area of research, and of the issues involved in it, set within the wider context of the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict or following environmental disaster. It further assesses students' ability to: plan, organise, and show adaptability in selecting and defining an appropriate topic; outline and justify the methodological and theoretical approaches taken; organise a schedule for completing the various aspects of the dissertation; collect new data; assemble relevant evidence and secondary material; and independently apply skills of analysis and interpretation. It also assesses their skills in written communication.

General Notes

N/A