Course Catalogue

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This course allows you the opportunity to study a topic in English Language of your own devising on the basis of guidance from a specialist supervisor, and to undertake extensive independent work (e.g. fieldwork, interviews, archives etc.) in the area. You are supported in your research by a suite of general training sessions and by individual supervision in order for you to make the most out of the challenge.

Eight x 1hr generic training sessions as scheduled on MyCampus; four individual 30-minute sessions with supervisor as arranged.

Successful completion of Junior Honours in English Language. Permission of Honours/dissertation convener, and normally B1 in course or courses relevant to dissertation topic.

None

None

Dissertation (12,000 words), excluding bibliography - 100%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which 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 will provide the opportunity to:

■ introduce and foster research methods; 

■ study in depth a carefully defined topic in English Language on the basis of guidance from a specialist supervisor;

■ undertake sustained independent analysis of a substantial body of primary materials; 

■ foster a combination of investigative, creative and organisational skills valuable not only in research in English Language but also in most branches of graduate employment.

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

■ identify and formulate research questions;

■ select from among a range of qualitative, quantitative, critical, historical, or theoretical methodologies, and apply these as appropriate;

■ evaluate and synthesise scholarship relevant to the field(s) of research in question;

■ relate the topic to other work in the same area;

■ organise the materials clearly, in a well structured and clearly presented form;

■ apply consistent rules of presentation of bibliographical materials, appendices and footnotes, using recognised academic standards.

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