Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2011-2012 (archived)

Module ANTH40060: Dissertation - Socio-cultural Anthropology

Department: Anthropology

ANTH40060: Dissertation - Socio-cultural Anthropology

Type Open Level 4 Credits 60 Availability Available in 2011/12 Module Cap

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • Fieldwork and Interpretation, The Research Process, Key Issues in Social Anthropology, Special Field in Anthropology and Regional Ethnography.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • The aim of the dissertation is to give the student the opportunity to conduct a substantial research project in Social Anthropology.

Content

  • A 15,000 word dissertation on an agreed Social Anthropological topic.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Students will develop a deep understanding of the theory and current state of knowledge in the in the area of socio-cultural anthropology in which they conduct their research.
  • Students will develop an advanced understanding of methodological issues in the broad field of socio-cultural anthropology in which they conduct their research.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Students will further develop their skills to research the socio-cultural anthropology literature.
  • Specialised supervision will help students develop their research skills to the level which will allow them to undertake a PhD.
Key Skills:
  • Students will further hone skills to write clearly and concisely, explaining why their topic of research is important, critiquing previous research, and providing a coherent discussion of their findings.
  • Students will learn to manage a research project from an initial idea, the development of a research question, collection of data to the presentation of a dissertation.
  • Students will be able to conduct advanced quantitative and/or qualitative analysis.

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

  • Teaching and learning is by regular supervision by an appointed and appropriate staff member. The task of the supervisor is to guide the student through the various stages of planning, implementing and writing up their dissertation.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Tutorials 15 fortnightly during term time 1 hour 15
Preparation and Reading 585
Total 600

Summative Assessment

Component: Dissertation Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Dissertation 15,000 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

Plan of dissertation


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