Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC3040: Dissertation

This module descriptor refers to the 2016/7 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

An introductory seminar will outline the process of writing the dissertation, expectations regarding standards of argument and research, and formal requirements. It will also provide guidance as to how to find a viable topic. You will then meet individually with the module leader to agree a topic. You will then be assigned to thematic study groups convened by the module leader and guided by another member of staff acting as expert advisor. You will produce an initial plan and literature list in the first month of the semester and a full first draft by the first month of the second semester. (if you have taken SOC2004 “Into the Field” you are allowed to use the research proposal produced for this module as an initial plan if you wish to do so.) In the two study group meetings, you will present on your work in progress and receive feedback from the expert advisor. You will be assigned another student on whose work in progress you are expected to comment.

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
92910

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity 2Supervision meetings. You will initially meet individually with the module leader to agree a topic.
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity 2Introductory seminar will outline the process of writing the dissertation, expectations regarding standards of argument and research, and formal requirements. It will also provide guidance as to how to find a viable topic.
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity 5Study Groups. You will then be assigned to thematic study groups convened by the module leader and guided by another member of staff acting as expert advisor. In the two study group meetings, you will present on your work in progress and receive feedback from the expert advisor. You will be assigned another student on whose work in progress you are expected to comment
Guided independent study40Initial dissertation title, plan and literature list
Guided independent study120Dissertation research and production of first draft of dissertation.
Guided independent study11Preparing presentations of research-in-progress for study group meetings
Guided independent study120Completion of final dissertation

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/