This module gives final year students the opportunity to work on a major piece of independent work, which consolidates and further develops the skills and knowledge they have acquired across the whole of their degree, in an area of applied practice; workplace problem solving, or dissertation research. You will organise an end of year exhibition and symposium event specifically to showcase your work. In doing so, you will develop your critical analytical and transferable employability skills. You will focus on one of the following: a dissertation; a Final Major Project (FMP) or, an Applied Research Problem Brief (ARPB). The main feature of the module is that work carried out in one of these three areas will lead to real and specific outputs. Where you choose to write a dissertation you will present your main findings at the symposium; those choosing a FMP will be able showcase their work online and at exhibition; those choosing an ARPB will implement their solutions in the field and have the potential to develop consultancy skills. You will enter into learning contracts and will work independently under the guidance of a supervisor.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
The module is delivered through lectures, workshops and individual supervisions with a capstone supervisor. Students will select a capstone pathway and in the case of a Dissertation and FMP write and present a proposal for approval. In the case of students taking the ARPB pathway, students will source briefs from partner institutions, organizations or, individuals following a series of plenary sessions given by partners. Workshops will focus on skills relevant to the particular pathway (for example, media production workshops for students taking the FMP pathway). They will be used to help students identify appropriate forms of presentation, exhibition and/or dissemination and, help them develop their portfolios for their future careers. Students will organize an end of year exhibition and symposium and selected capstone projects will be web showcased/disseminated.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lecture/ workshops | 10 |
| Guided independent study | Group planning meetings | 10 |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Supervisions | 5 |
| Guided independent study | Project work | 255 |
| Study abroad / placement | Exhibition | 10 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Each pathway of the module assesses students' potential in consolidating their acquired skills and knowledge in the field of independent enquiry. Students will work together to organise an end of year exhibition and symposium as a platform for showing /disseminating work.
Each capstone pathway has a substantive portfolio element and a presentation element. The requirements of which will include:
E1) Presentation portfolio - 30% of overall mark
All students are required to complete E1, including:
a) Showcase Presentation (50% of E1)
b) Showcase Presentation Event Management Blog (record of event preparation process) (50% of E1)
E2) Project portfolio -70% of overall mark
Students choose a portfolio assessment depending on the capstone pathway they have chosen.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Produce an extensive piece of written/ practical work which synthesises skills and knowledge learnt over the course of the degree | Portfolio and exhibition/symposium |
| Display an ability to work independently and to manage time efficiently | Learning contract/ portfolio/ exhibition/ symposium |
| Display an ability to contribute actively to a group activity | Exhibition /symposium |
| Communicate the central focus and outcome of their capstone project in an appropriate format | Exhibition /symposium presentation |
| Identify and evaluate transferable and specific employability skills acquired in the course of their capstone work | Portfolio |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| PRC | Presentation portfolio | 30 |
| Coursework | Project portfolio | 70 |
| 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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