Course Catalogue

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In the short dissertation course, students complete independent research on a topic of their choice, submitting their dissertation in a written format. Students are prepared for the dissertation through a workshop and proposal process, starting towards the end of their Junior Honours year and are supported throughout by an assigned supervisor. The dissertation is submitted after the Spring vacation in the Senior Honours year.

3 hour workshop in Junior Honours

2 hour workshop in Senior Honours

Approximately 3 x 1hr supervision sessions

Successful completion of Junior Honours Creative Arts and Industries

Applied Dissertation with Placement in Creative Arts and Industries (20 Credits)

Applied Dissertation with Placement in Creative Arts and Industries (40 Credits)

Dissertation in Creative Arts and Industries (40 Credits)

Practice Research Dissertation in Creative Arts and Industries (40 Credits)

Practice Research Dissertation in Creative Arts and Industries (20 Credits)

None

Dissertation 7000 words - 80%

Process Mark based on portfolio of documentation accrued through the research/production process, as witnessed by the supervisor (e.g. meeting notes, drafts, e-mail exchanges, the finished product) - 20%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This course aims to:

■ construct a research project on an appropriate topic, which is clear and realistic in scope, and seeks to make a contribution both to student's own learning and to debates within their chosen field

■ develop the student's independent research skills

■ allow students to produce an extended piece of written work, with evidence of original research

■ develop the student's professional standards for the presentation of research material

■ use the supervision process to develop skills in communication (both oral and written) and in using feedback (both oral and written).

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ utilise a range of transferable research skills including the ability to: organise time and resources effectively; identify and access relevant source materials; identify appropriate research methods for the project.

■ communicate effectively with their supervisor and use feedback constructively and reflectively in producing a final dissertation

■ evince a thorough knowledge and understanding of the chosen topic and a critical awareness of the relationship of their own research to other work in the field.

■ present research information and argument in an appropriate and well-structured form, applying recognised academic forms to the presentation of bibliographic material, appendices and footnotes.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.