MA Dissertation (Languages & Cultures and Translation & Professional Communication Skills)

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• develop a sustained, high-level argument over an extended piece of work
• demonstrate originality of thought and approach while communicating an advanced academic argument in writing.
• interpret and reflect critically, at an advanced level, on a range of global cultural texts and case studies appropriate to your dissertation subject
• design, implement and communicate a small-scale advanced research project in Languages & Cultures or Translation & Professional Communication Skills

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• principal primary source materials and advanced scholarly literature related to your dissertation subject
• the principles of research design in the Humanities, appropriate to your dissertation subject.
• the subject chosen for your dissertation, at an advanced level
• advanced conceptualisations, theories and debates related to your dissertation subject

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• manage deadlines and make effective use of your time
• research and synthesise a large volume of primary and secondary materials, and present them in an extended piece of advanced, coherently argued writing that conforms to the conventions of academic style and referencing
• engage in high-level analysis of texts/case studies and arguments.
• identify, select and draw upon a wide range of printed and electronic sources
• show awareness of the processes required to address research ethics, where appropriate

The dissertation is a significant piece of self-directed research. It aims to give you the opportunity to undertake an extended piece of independent research, with guidance from a supervisor. It will require reflection on theoretical and methodological frameworks, and critical analysis relating to your chosen topic. It will enable you to make an original contribution to the literature on Languages & Cultures or Translation & Professional Communication Skills and prepare you for progression to more advanced study and/or to independent work beyond academia. During the two semesters (or, in the case of part time study, two years) preceding your dissertation, you will: – be introduced to key ways of reading and analysing texts and case studies using the critical concepts central to the MA Languages and Cultures programme – identify and develop the research skills that you need to undertake your dissertation project. – be encouraged to engage with the research community through attending and/or presenting at a range of relevant seminars, workshops or conferences, and through digital channels such as blogs. – prepare a preliminary plan for your dissertation project. During the summer you will primarily be working independently to execute and write up your research project. You will have periodic meetings with a supervisor to monitor your progress and discuss any problems that arise. Throughout this period, you will submit draft chapters and sections for feedback at your supervision meetings.

You will develop your ideas and skills for the dissertation in LANG6iXX Research Skills (Dissertation Preparation), a compulsory module which runs in Semester 2 and is structured around dissertation-specific skills training in regular group meetings. As part of LANG6iXX, you will prepare, present and discuss various pieces of work relating to your project, and will receive tutor feedback on these. Within the present module, meanwhile, you learn primarily through research and independent study, accompanied by individual tutorials with your dissertation supervisor. In early supervisions you and your supervisor will agree the scope, design, theoretical approach and methodology for your project, and discuss the structure of the dissertation. In later meetings, you will discuss pre-prepared work, such as draft chapters.

Summative

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

Referral

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