This module is the culmination of students' study and research on the MA. It provides them with an opportunity for intensive and detailed research-based exploration of their chosen topic under the guidance of a dissertation supervisor with expertise in their field. Students will receive guidance on producing a research proposal and a literature review, and on analysing key historical debates and interpretations of their topic. Together with the skills learned in the core module, this will enable them to construct a plan of research on which to base a dissertation. Students following the public history route may choose to vary the format of their dissertation and produce an analysis of a practice-based project or examples of public history such as museums, film, television, heritage trails, websites or historic houses.
On successful completion students will be able to:
As this is the MA dissertation module the majority of the time is devoted to guided independent study; students define their own programme of study matched to their research interest. However, in order to ensure they have a sound basis (in addition to skills acquired during HS7001) the following taught elements are included:
As this is a postgraduate module, students are expected, with the guidance of their supervisors, to be responsible for much of their own learning and for the progress of their dissertation. There are some taught sessions (all in teaching block two), which include an introductory lecture at the beginning, a minimum of six individual supervised sessions and a peer-led learning session. The latter (towards the end of teaching block 2) takes the form of a work-in progress seminar where students present their research findings to date and receive feedback from their peers.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 1 x one hour introductory lecture | 1 hr |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 6 x individual supervised sessions | 6 hrs |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 1 x 2 hr workshop on literature review | 2 hrs |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 1 x 2 hr seminar on research in progress | 2 hrs |
| Guided independent study | Independent study | 589 hrs |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 600 | |
Summative assessment: Dissertation (15,000 words)
Formative assessments include: a research proposal, a literature review, student research presentation and drafts of sections of the dissertation providing opportunity for feedback and feedforward from supervisor.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Identify a genuine historical problem or issue, and successfully describe its nature and scope | Formative: research proposal |
| Develop a reasoned and well-structured argument based on an assessment of both the available evidence and existing historiographical and/or professional views | Formative: research proposal and literature review. Summative: dissertation. |
| Demonstrate knowledge of prevailing interpretations and show how the chosen topic fits into wider context(s) | Formative: research proposal and the literature review. Summative: dissertation. |
| Identify and use relevant research methodologies in the gathering, collating and appropriate interpretation of original and/or secondary source material | Formative: research proposal and the literature review. Summative: dissertation. |
| Present a major piece of independent work showing clarity of structure and style and in accordance with appropriate presentation guidelines. | Formative: student research presentation. Sumamtive: dissertation. |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Dissertation | 100 |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS a requirement that the major category of assessment is passed in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.