Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC3040: Dissertation

This module descriptor refers to the 2022/3 academic year.

Module Aims

The object of the dissertation is to give you the opportunity to display your abilities in the collection, handling and ordering of material, and to be an exercise in the communication of ideas, appropriate to research topics chosen, with help and guidance from members of the academic staff, by themselves. The aims are to afford you the opportunity to obtain a good knowledge of the issues that pertain to your dissertation topics. It will also develop your ability to explore and present sociological arguments in relation to empirical data provided by library research and/or fieldwork, where the latter is undertaken. If you are enrolled on a Q-Step programme you will be required to undertake a quantitative dissertation.

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. display an ability to apply sociological methods and concepts of analysis to independently researched material; 2. display in depth understanding of the field/issues which form the subject matter of the dissertation;
Discipline-Specific Skills	3. display comprehensive knowledge of relevant sociological literature; 4. demonstrate a general understanding of key debates in sociological theory; 5. collect, analyse and present original research material with reference to appropriate sociological approaches and theories;
Personal and Key Skills	6. select, digest and organise material collected in independent research; 7. manage and organize the different phases of the research project from conception to final presentation; 8. prepare a substantive written presentation of the material and arguments.

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/