Postgraduate Module Descriptor

ARAM027: MA Dissertation

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Module Aims

This module allows students to pursue their individual research project within their chosen field, building on the methodological and field-specific foundations covered in their 1st semester intensive methodology and core courses and continuing in their 2nd semester MA coursework. MA students will be expected to develop and demonstrate in their dissertation a mastery of relevant secondary sources in their field; to relate the appropriate standard methodological approaches and theoretical issues to their specific area of research; to demonstrate the originality and relevance of their research to wider issues related to their specific field; and to demonstrate their familiarity with the accepted requirements and standards for presentation of research in their chosen field. In addition, the dissertation will allow them to develop the broader learning outcomes specified below.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. To demonstrate familiarity with the specific academic fields relevant to the chosen dissertation topic, with regard to their these field's particular methods; relevant bibliographies and secondary literature (in the student's available languages); and the current state of issues and problems in the relevant fields.
Discipline-Specific Skills	2. To present their research results in an appropriate form, respecting the appropriate norms and procedures of their the student's respective fields(s), 3. To present their research results in an appropriate form, respecting the appropriate norms and procedures of their respective fields(s), 4. To demonstrates the student's ir ability to analyse, synthesize and present thoughtful and persuasive arguments relating to their his/her particular research project.
Personal and Key Skills	5. To identify, analyse and creatively approach issues relevant to each the student's chosen fields. 6. To structure and present effective, extended arguments and interpretations in ways consistent with the norms and procedures of their the student's respective field(s) (, including all the field-specific forms of methodology, reference, citation, etc.). 7. To demonstrate the ability to relate the student's ir independent research to the wider methodological issues and approaches of the relevant fields

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Independent, guided research and writing of the MA dissertation (maximum of 15,000 words) in consultation with the student's approved MA thesis supervisor(s).Completed MA dissertation of no more than 15,000 words on a research topic chosen by the student, in mutual agreement with his/her MA thesis supervisor. Students will submit drafts of each chapter to their supervisor for correction prior to final submission of the dissertation

Assessment of the MA dissertation by the supervisor and a qualified second reader will be based on the dissertation's fulfilment of the above-mentioned aims relevant to each student's particular field(s) of study (i.e., mastery of relevant sources, methods, theoretical issues, originality of research, and solidity of presentation), as well as appropriate conformity to all University and field-specific requirements for presentation and referencing in the particular field of the dissertation.

Learning and Teaching

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
7	593

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

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	4 hours	4 hours supervision meetings
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	3 hours	3 hours (3 meetings) to give academic guidance, including specific feedback on draft work
Guided independent study	593 hours	Independent study

Online Resources

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