SEL3377 : Dissertation in English Literature and History
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Kirsten MacLeod
- Co-Module Leader: Dr Rosalind Haslett
- Owning School: English Lit, Language & Linguistics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 20.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To allow students to
1. Develop an in depth study of an area that reflects their own particular interests and intellectual strengths. Students will have considerable choice and can orientate their dissertation towards written and/or visual texts.
2. Demonstrate an ability to plan, conceptualise, research and execute an extended piece of work.
3. Exercise independent thinking and refine their research skills and skills in critical thinking, writing and presentation.
4. Synthesise their subject-specific skills in a piece of independent and interdisciplinary research.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module allows students to write at length on a self-directed topic which utilises conceptual and methodological approaches from English Literature and History and is thus interdisciplinary in character.
They will be asked to identify their likely area of interest at the end of their second year and be required to produce a research plan in the first month of semester 1 of their third year. In this process they will be supported by the module leader(s) and required to attend a series of plenary lecture-workshops on independent research designed to guide them in their initial planning. They will then be be expected to work under individual supervision for remaining months of the dissertation module. In regular supervisory meetings, they will discuss the overall design of their dissertation and have the opportunity to receive oral or written feedback on plans and written feedback on up to 2500 words of draft writing. They will also have the opportunity to work with other students in seminars, culminating in an oral presentation of their research at a Dissertation Workshop.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 140 | 1:00 | 140:00 | N/A |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 140 | 1:00 | 140:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | Students present work in progress to peers. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 92 | 1:00 | 92:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | n/a |
| Total | 400:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Students will be guided initially by the module leader and then directed to consult with the appropriate members of staff in SELLL and SCHA about their topic and approach. They will only be allowed to begin to work on the dissertation when their topic has been approved.
There will be timetabled consultation with supervisors over the 2 semesters to check progress and to support reading, study and conceptual approach. Students also can and should make their own appointments with supervisors in between these times. Students are given additional formal support through a series of academic skills activities and support each other through peer review sessions at the dissertation workshop.
The main aim of the dissertation is to foster skills of independent working and to allow the students to plan and complete an extended piece of work.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 2 | A | 100 | A dissertation of 10,000 words. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Students to submit a 1000 word plan and annotated bibliography in first semester. |
| Oral Presentation | 2 | M | Presentation to peers of project. 3-5 minutes |
| Written exercise | 2 | M | Draft work of up to 2500 words. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The 10,000 word dissertation written under individual supervision will demonstrate both detailed knowledge of the student's chosen subject and that they acquired the appropriate interdisciplinary skills. This will be submitted at the end of the second semester.
Students will submit a dissertation plan in semester 1 as they define their project. They will present their project to their peers in semester 2 to develop presentation skills and to receive and provide feedback. Students have the option to submit draft work in semester 2 (up to 2500 words) to their supervisors for feedback.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- SEL3377's Timetable