Modern Languages Dissertation

Module overview

This unit will allow students to undertake independent research to produce an in-depth study of a specific topic located in one of the fields within Modern Languages. You will also have the option of producing a professional project. In that case, your dissertation will describe the project design based on subject specific literature and evaluate its success drawing on the relevant subject specific methodologies.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

demonstrate specific, as well as general, research skills, such as information retrieval and library searches (which may include external libraries and archives)
develop and give a presentation on your research project
Write a sustained piece of independent study under deadline conditions which is logically structured, coherently argued, supported by a detailed bibliography and, where applicable, illustrations
demonstrate an appropriate use of web-based research and general competence in using electronic research methods and data

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

the topic you have selected in your chosen field of study
relevant theoretical approaches applicable to your chosen area of study
How to challenge professional practice, and undertake improvement-orientated enquiry

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

engage with critical debate through a sustained argument over an extended piece of work
demonstrate originality of thought and approach which moves beyond a simple synthesis of secondary materials
where applicable, make connections between different critical methodologies and use interdisciplinary modes of approaching the subject
evaluate and critically assess previous work on the chosen subject
analyse/synthesise secondary, as well as primary sources

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include - research and independent study - regular meetings with your supervisor. Learning activities include - Group seminars/workshops, normally run by staff in the appropriate field of study, at which research methods are explained and issues of common concern are discussed. Guidance on giving presentations

Study time
Type	Hours
Independent Study	294
Teaching	6
Total study time	300

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Walliman, Nicholas (2014). Your undergraduate dissertation : the essential guide for success. Los Angeles ; London: Sage.

Greetham, Bryan (2019). How to write your undergraduate dissertation. London: Red Globe Press.

Assessment

Assessment strategy

Assessments designed to provide informal, on-module feedback - By the end of Semester 1 you will be expected to submit a 2000-word draft chapter and an annotated bibliography. - You are required to submit a draft of the entire dissertation or project report by the end of Week 5 of Semester 2, and the finished dissertation or project report by the end of Week 10. A presentation will be used as formative assessment.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Presentation

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback:
Final Assessment: No
Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Dissertation	100%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Dissertation	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Dissertation	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External