Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module EDUS3332: DISSERTATION

Department: Education [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

EDUS3332: DISSERTATION

Type	Tied	Level	3	Credits	40	Availability	Available in 2010/11	Module Cap	None.	Location	Queen's Campus Stockton

Tied to	X1G5

Prerequisites

Research Methods in Education (EDUS2501).

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

None.

Aims

To enable students to undertake an in-depth study of a chosen topic within their curriculum subject specialism, to draw upon the knowledge and understanding developed through the Research methods module in Year 2, and other relevant curriculum modules, to apply skills, knowledge and understanding in an academically rigorous context.

Content

Not applicable, other than it will relate to the student's identified curriculum specialism area.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

a range of contemporary issues in education;
aspects of teaching and learning related to the psychology, sociology and philosophy of education;
key ideas underpinning the core subject of English;
key ideas underpinning the core subject of mathematics;
key ideas underpinning the core subject of science;
methods and approaches suited to the effective planning, organisation and management of the primary curriculum, teaching and learning;
research related to the primary curriculum and effective teaching and learning;
research methodology suited to various types and purposes of educational research.

Subject-specific Skills:

think critically and independently;
analyse, synthesise and evaluate primary and/or secondary data;
critically analyse literature on a variety of contemporary education issues;
apply educational principles, theories and methods to an empirical research project (dissertation);
construct and sustain a reasoned argument.

Key Skills:

communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively in a variety of ways;
work effectively on given tasks and activities;
apply basic numerical and statistical skills to the consideration and analysis of educational data;
use Information and Communications Technology in a variety of ways;
manage time and work to deadlines.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

The dissertation will be supported by individual supervision.
This will allow appropriate guidance on approach, organisation of ideas, reading and quality to be given.
In addition, there will also be an occasional small group seminar session where the supervising tutor's students can come together to present and share their critical reflections on their experiences and progress.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Lectures	2	1 per term	1 hour	2	■
Tutorials	4	As required	1 hour	4	■
Seminars	2	As required	1 hour	2	■
Fieldwork		Variable across school placements as required for data collection	20 hours	20	■
Preparation and Reading				372
Total				400

Summative Assessment

Component: Dissertation		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
dissertation of 10000 words submitted at the beginning of term 3		100%

Formative Assessment:

Through verbal and written feedback at four stages of development: written proposal, phase one - work completed by end of November in Term 1, Phase two - work completed by the end of January in Term 2, Phase three - work completed by the beginning of March in term 2.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University