Modern Languages and Cultures
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title DISSERTATION
Code MODL307
Coordinator Dr ST Yiacoup
Modern Languages and Cultures
Sizen.Yiacoup@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2018-19 Level 6 FHEQ Whole Session 30

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
Students wishing to take this module must have an overall academic score of 60+ and seek approval from the module convenor in the first instance. German students who do not meet this pre-requisite can still take the module if they have taken GRMN230. Italian students who do not meet this pre-requisite can still take the module if they have taken ITAL215.  

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Co-requisite modules:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours     9
The dissertation is an independent piece of work in which students are expected to take the initiative in planning, researching and writing. Students will usually be supervised by a member of staff from the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures (although joint honours and combined honours may have a supervisor from another department). Supervision will not normally exceed nine hours during the final year of study, assisting students in the planning, writing and presentation of their dissertation. Supervisors will provide initial guidance, in weeks one to four, helping students to identify a topic for study and to locate relevant primary and secondary sources. Students will also receive feedback on one draft of each chapter of their dissertation from their supervisors.
      9
Timetable (if known)     A library research skills session is organised at the beginning of the year, specially designed for dissertation students, which students are expected to attend. There are also regular research skills
  		       
Private Study 291
TOTAL HOURS 300

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  10,000-words  Semester 2   100  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Dissertation Notes (applying to all assessments) The deadline for submitting the dissertation is the Monday of week 11, Semester two  

Aims

To give students the opportunity to carry out independent research at an advanced level, with appropriate support, into a cultural, literary or linguistic topic of interest to them.

To draw on and extend the skills and knowledge of relevant cultural, literary or linguistic issues and theoretical debates students have acquired in their taught modules.

To produce a piece of individual research which presents an argument developed over 10,000 words, usually divided into Introduction, three chapters, and Conclusion.

 

Learning Outcomes

Utilise a variety of bibliographical tools to locate a range of primary and secondary sources on which to base a research project.

Construct, focus and structure an independent project, in discussion with a personal supervisor working in that subject area.

Analyse source materials, and develop coherent and original arguments on the basis of research.

Engage critically with relevant cultural, literary or linguistic and / or theoretical debates on the topic.

Manage time effectively and efficiently and plan a long-term process of research, reading and writing.

Present a confident and coherent argument in clear written prose, following scholarly conventions of referencing and bibliography.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Tutorial - The dissertation is an independent piece of work in which students are expected to take the initiative in planning, researching and writing. Students will usually be supervised by a member of staff from the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures (although joint honours and combined honours may have a supervisor from another department).

Supervision will not normally exceed nine hours during the final year of study, assisting students in the planning, writing and presentation of their dissertation. Supervisors will provide initial guidance, in weeks one to four, helping students to identify a topic for study and to locate relevant primary and secondary sources. Students will also receive feedback on one draft of each chapter of their dissertation from their supervisors.

A library research skills session is organised at the beginning of the year, specially designed for dissertation students, which students are expected to attend. There are also regular research skills sessions organised by the library throughout the year. Students are required to log a summary of their supervisions on VITAL.

Syllabus
1 
Students  who choose to do the dissertation will receive guidance from their respective supervisors during the first four weeks of Semester 1. Subsequently, students will meet their supervisor five times across both semesters. This ensures that all students receive an equal amount of supervision over the course of the year, and means that, after week 4, students should meet with their supervisor once a month.  
 A dissertation is an extended piece of research (10,000 words) that develops an original argument about a particular cultural, literary or linguistic issue of students'' own choice. This originality will usually come from their own analysis of primary sources, allowing them to test the conclusions of scholars in their field. Students can also treat the writings of scholars as a primary source, by exploring the changing ways in which they have approached a given topic. Alternatively, dissertations may take the form of an in-depth critical evaluation of a particular academic controversy, or a particular scholar''s work. All dissertations are expected to incorporate this kind of original research or argument.
Students will submit a formative research proposal by the end of Week six.
The submission deadline for the dissertation is the Monday of Week 11, Semester two.

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List: