Module SOC3040 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
SOC3040: Dissertation
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 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. Both items will be posted on ELE and you are expected to contribute to your study group's ELE blog. 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 Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 289 | 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 activity | 2 | Supervision meetings with module leader and expert advisor |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 2 | 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. |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 5 | Study Groups. Students 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, students will present on their work in progress and receive feedback from the expert advisor. Each student will be assigned another student on whose work in progress they are expected to comment |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 2 | Library session |
| Guided independent study | 120 | Dissertation research and production of first draft of dissertation. |
| Guided independent study | 11 | Preparing presentations of research-in-progress for study group meetings |
| Guided independent study | 120 | Completion of final dissertation |
| Guided independent study | 40 | Initial dissertation title, plan and literature list |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
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.
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial dissertation plan and reading list | 1,500 words | 1,4,6 | Written feedback |
| Presentation of work-in-progress Term 1 | 5 minutes | 1,2,3,4,6 | Verbal feedback |
| Presentation of work-in-progress Term 2 | 5 minutes | 1,2,3,4,6 | Verbal feedback |
| First draft of dissertation | Variable with the aim to submit as complete a draft as possible | 1,2,3,4,5,6 | Written feedback |
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.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final dissertation (integrating the dissertation plan, first draft, and bibliography) | 100 | 9,000 words | 1-6 | Written 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 assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | Dissertation (9,000 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Where you have been referred/deferred for your written assignment, you will have the opportunity to submit new assignment in the August/September reassessment period.
