Postgraduate Module Descriptor

SOCM013: Independent Study in Sociology and Philosophy

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Module Aims

The aims of this module are:
To provide you with the opportunity to delve deeply into a particular area of interest, applying appropriate research methodologies and drawing on appropriate materials;
To develop the critical and analytical skills necessary to explore an area of sociology or philosophy that goes beyond topics in taught modules of existing Masters programmes;
To develop goal setting and time management skills in pursuing a personal programme of research;
To enhance writing skills in order to improve dissertation 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. critically analyse arguments by in key texts; 2. present sophisticated arguments concisely, and to explain difficult points; and an capacity to identify key aspects of a philosophical and theoretical debate.
Discipline-Specific Skills	3. assimilate and critically analyse data from an appropriate range of sources; 4. develop cogent argument; 5. communicate complex information and ideas effectively in writing.
Personal and Key Skills	6. undertake an individual research project in a structured, time-effective fashion; 7. locate and use literature effectively; 8. construct and evaluate ideas; to formulate and express ideas at different levels of abstraction; 9. assess and criticise the views of others; to write at the level required for ongoing and future research.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

This module allows you to read for an extended essay from a range of research areas in which members of the School have particular expertise. Possible areas of study will be identified in consultation with the staff member. There will be at least five supervision meetings. The first will initiate the research. A study plan will be drawn up at the very beginning of this module. The subsequent supervision meetings will 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
5	295	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	5	5 x 1hour supervisor meetings
Guided independent study	25	5 x 5 hours preparation for supervision sessions
Guided Independent Study	120	Research into chosen topic
Guided independent study	150	Preparation and writing for essay

Online Resources

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

Indicative web based resources e.g. VLE: Additional web-based resources to be identified by the student as part of the independent study programme.

Other Learning Resources

Additional resources to be identified by the student as part of the independent study programme.