Postgraduate Module Descriptor

POLM877: Dissertation

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

Module Aims

To enable you to write an extended piece of independent writing, around a topic of your own choosing, in communication with key experts in your chosen area. It will allow you to demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge in a particular subject area of professional or intellectual interest. The dissertation will be a mark of your ability to express yourself in writing.

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. Demonstrate knowledge in depth of a specialised subject area 2. Design an individual research programme, incorporating appropriate social science research methods 3. Collate and analyse subject-specific information from a range of appropriate sources.
Discipline-Specific Skills	4. Assimilate and critically analyse data from an appropriate range of sources, from policy papers to canonical texts in the history of political thought 5. Develop cogent argument. 6. Communicate complex information and ideas effectively in writing.
Personal and Key Skills	7. Use IT for information retrieval and presentation. 8. Manage own work

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

At least four supervision meetings: one to initiate the dissertation followed by three meetings to give academic guidance including specific feedback on draft work.

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
6	444	0

...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	6	Supervision meetings
Guided independent study	444 hours	This time includes reading, reflecting on the material, structuring , planning and writing your dissertation.

Online Resources

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