Postgraduate Module Descriptor


PHLM009: Dissertation

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to allow you to focus on a philosophical topic and methodology of your choice and engage in a sustained, in-depth piece of philosophical research

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 Skills1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge in a specialised subject area in philosophy.
2. Design an individual research programme, incorporating appropriate philosophical research methods
3. Collate and analyse subject-specific information from a range of appropriate sources
Discipline-Specific Skills4. Assimilate and critically analyse data from an appropriate range of sources
5. Develop cogent philosophical argument
6. Communicate complex philosophical arguments and ideas effectively in writing.
Personal and Key Skills7. Undertake an individual research project
8. Use IT for information retrieval and presentation
9. Manage your own work

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Dissertation10015,000 words1-9Written and or oral feedback

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
DissertationDissertation (15,000 words)1-9Next reassessment period