Module overview
Students taking this module undertake research on a philosophical topic of their choice (subject to approval by the Department), and write a dissertation of 8,000 words on that topic.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- demonstrate an awareness of the place of your topic in philosophy considered more broadly
- of your chosen dissertation topic
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- take notes from talks and written materials.
- work effectively to deadlines.
- demonstrate skills in document preparation incluing the use of footnotes and the creation of bibliographies all through the production of a dissertation that develops a clear and structured argument, appropriately supported by references
- identify and research a topic using a variety of bibliographic aids
- Undertake, with adequate supervision, independent work, including identifying and using appropriate resources.
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- demonstrate philosophical discrimination in selecting a topic and material for discussion
Syllabus
Students taking this module undertake research on a philosophical topic of their choice (subject to approval by the Department), and write a dissertation of 8,000 words on that topic. Each student will also write a 1500 response to a structured question, a draft chapter, and a two page dissertation plan in Semester 1.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include: group discussion meetings, and individual consultation with your dissertation supervisor.
Learning activities include: Identifying, with guidance from your supervisor, a suitable research topic; Identifying (with guidance from your supervisor), studying and reflecting upon relevant philosophical sources; reflecting upon and responding to written and oral feedback from your supervisor; applying techniques and skills learnt to your reading and writing inside and outside the unit
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 300 |
| Total study time | 300 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Blackboard.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Your final mark for the dissertation will be based on four stages of assessment.
(1) A 1500 word written response to a structured, directive question supplied by us. Deadline c. week 4 of semester 1. (15% of double module mark.)
(2) A draft chapter, maximum 2000 words. Deadline c. week 8 of semester 1. (Marked pass/fail; 5 mark penalty for non-submission or fail.)
(3) A dissertation plan, around two A4 pages with no more than 1.5 spacing. Deadline c. week 12 of semester 1. (Marked pass/fail; 5 mark penalty for non-submission or fail.)
Students must hand in their research ethics form with the dissertation plan.
(4) Final dissertation, maximum 8000 words. Deadline c. week 10 of semester 2. (85% of double module mark.)
Your final dissertation can, but need not, incorporate the 1500 words under (1) and/or the 2000 words under (2), or a revision of them.
Formative assessment includes: feedback from the supervisor on your structured question, your draft chapter, your dissertation plan and - should you choose to submit one - your dissertation draft.
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Draft piece
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: Written and oral feedback from supervisor.
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Draft piece
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: Written and oral feedback from supervisor
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Plan
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: Written and oral feedback from supervisor.
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Dissertation | 85% |
| Assignment | 15% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| 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.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Dissertation | 85% |
| Assignment | 15% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External