Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module HUSS3342: DISSERTATION (BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY)

Department: Anthropology (Human Sciences) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

HUSS3342: DISSERTATION (BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY)

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

Tied to	C1L6

Prerequisites

Methods & Analysis I: Research Techniques (HUSS2101) and Methods and Analysis II: Research Project (HUSS2111).

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

Dissertation (Medical Anthropology), Dissertation (Social Anthropology).

Aims

To synthesise knowledge and skills acquired in Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the BSc Human Sciences.
The module enables students to carry out an independent piece of work and to apply and put into practice research, writing and analytical skills acquired as they have progressed from Level 1 (Anthropological Study and Research Methods) to Level 2 (Methods and Analysis).

Content

With guidance from a member of staff (the appropriate dissertation co-ordinator), the student will select a topic of his/her choice in the field of biological anthropology.
Alternatively, the student might participate in a collaborative research project under the supervision of a member of staff.
A supervisor will be allocated to each student and he/she will meet with the member of staff individually and/or in a group to discuss the different stages of writing the dissertation.
These will include: initial design of research project, literature review, data-collection methods, theoretical framework, formulation of hypothesis, quantitative/qualitative data analysis, presentation of data, bibliography, layout and format.
No restrictions will be placed upon the location of fieldwork, but it is expected that it will ordinarily be conducted in the UK.
In the event that the student wishes to carry out fieldwork abroad, the supervisor will be responsible for advising the student about the potential risks.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

Detailed understanding, based on primary research, of an appropriate topic within the subfield of biological anthropology.

Subject-specific Skills:

Ability to manage such a project throughout its various stages, including: planning, design, data collection, analysis and presentation of results.
Competence in the use of methodologies appropriate to the study of biological anthropology.

Key Skills:

Produced a dissertation that complies with the accepted norms and practices of academic writing.

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

Lectures
Consultations
Dissertation.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Seminars	4	2 in Michaelmas + 2 in Epiphany (one in 2nd year in preparation for final year dissert)	2 hours	8	■	■
Consultation with Supervisor	4	2 in Michaelmas + 2 in Epiphany	1 hour	4
Preparation and Reading				388
Total				400

Summative Assessment

Component: Dissertation		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
dissertation of 12000 words max (excluding bibliography and appendices)		100%	None

Formative Assessment:

Submission of formative Literature Review (approximately 2000 words).

■ 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