Through this module you will develop your own criminological specialism by conducting an extended and in-depth study on a topic of your choosing. Students will be tutored in the skills necessary to successfully complete a final year dissertation and will work with a staff supervisor to develop a critical understanding of their research topic. You will work with other students to organize a conference at which you will all present your work, thereby learning the skills of event organization and management as well as having an opportunity to disseminate their dissertation to a wide audience. This module will be an opportunity for you to gain hands-on experience of research skills that can be applied to future postgraduate study and careers in human resources, marketing, public sector and charitable and non-government organisations.
This module will be taught through two-hour group workshops, and one-to-one supervision sessions. Workshops will be interactive in nature and will provide students the opportunity to develop their dissertation through individual and group work tasks and also engage in the business of conference organization. Relevant learning materials will be provided on StudySpace, including digitised reading materials, workshop slides and templates. Students will be expected to engage in a significant amount of independent study which will involve reviewing literature, conducting research, analysing data and preparing assessment.
Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning and teaching | Workshops (7 x 2 hours) Individual supervision | 14 14 |
Guided independent study | 572 | |
Total (number of credits x 10) | 600 |
The module will be assessed using a combination of formative and summative assessment. Students will receive feedback on formative exercises so that they are able to use this constructively in the summative assessment on the module.
Draft critical literature review (formative) (1,000 words).
A1 Portfolio including a dissertation proposal, an annotated bibliography (1,500
words) and an action plan (timetable) (5%) (summative).
A2 Dissertation (70%) 10,000 – 12,000 words (summative).
Critical reflection exercise on conference preparation and oral presentation (formative).
A3 Oral presentation of dissertation with supporting materials (25%) – 15 mins (summative).
Assessment |
Deadline |
Word count |
Status |
% Module Mark |
Draft dissertation proposal |
TBC |
1,500 |
Formative |
- |
A1 Portfolio |
TBC |
1,500 |
Summative |
5% |
A2 Dissertation |
TBC |
10,000 to 12,000 words |
Summative |
70% |
Critical reflection exercise on conference preparatio and oral presentation |
TBC |
|
Formative |
- |
A3 Oral presentation of dissertation with supporting materials |
TBC |
15 min |
Summative |
25% |
Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
---|---|
Formulate a clearly viable research proposal and extensive literature search appropriate for a Level 6 dissertation | Draft critical literature review (formative) A1 Portfolio (summative) A2 Dissertation (summative) |
Demonstrate an ability to organise and plan work effectively and independently over a limited period of time | Draft proposal critical literature review (formative) A1 Portfolio (summative) A2 Dissertation (summative) |
Demonstrate the ability to successfully complete a substantial piece of academic written work | A2 Dissertation |
Demonstrate the ability to successfully complete a substantial piece of academic written work | A2 Dissertation |
Demonstrate an ability to communication academic work in written and oral formats | A2 Dissertation (Summative) Critical reflection (formative) A3 Oral presentation (summative) |
Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
---|---|---|
CWK | Portfolio 1500 words | 5 |
CWK | Dissertation | 70 |
PRC | Oral presentation | 25 |
Total (to equal 100%) | 100% |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module
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Greetham B (2009) How to Write your Undergraduate Dissertation, Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Walliman, N (2013) Your Undergraduate Dissertation: The Essential Guide for Success, London: Sage.
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Becker, L (2014) Presenting your Research : Conferences, Symposiums, Poster Presentations and Beyond, Sage.
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Johnson, W and Rittig RP (2005) Sociology Student Writer's Manual, Pearson.
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