Module SOCI3112: DISSERTATION (40 CREDITS)

Department: Sociology

SOCI3112: DISSERTATION (40 CREDITS)

Prerequisites

• Research Methods in Action (SOCI2252) or Doing Anthropological Research (ANTH1101)

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To give students the opportunity to undertake an extended piece of work concerned with any theme in the study of sociology, social policy or criminology.

Content

• Dissertation on a topic chosen by the student from within the fields of sociology, social policy, sport and criminology and approved on behalf of the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies and the Board of Examiners;
• To offer the student an opportunity to independently investigate, solve problems by review or carry out empirical research , and engage in critical analysis and interpretation of their subject.

Learning Outcomes

• Having completed the dissertation, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate an ability to formulate informed questions relating to a chosen area of research;
• Display a critical understanding of key theoretical concerns and appropriate underlying concepts relevant to their chosen area of research;
• Display a critical understanding of the core methodological issues relating to their area of research;
• Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the particular issues (e.g. theoretical, methodological and, where appropriate, policy-related) associated with their research topic.

• Having completed the dissertation students will be able to demonstrate a capacity to:
• Plan and devise a programme of work applicable to investigating the defined problem;
• Survey and abstract literature relevant to the problem and programme of work;
• Assess the validity of the findings and interpret them with respect to related published work;
• Evaluate arguments and evidence;
• Use abstract concepts with confidence;
• Undertake and present theoretical and empirical material in a scholarly manner;
• Employ both theoretical and methodological expertise in independently analysing key issues related to their chosen research topic;
• Perceive (where relevant) and relate, insights developed from the knowledge of their chosen topic area.

• Having completed the dissertation, students will be able to:
• Assess the validity of the findings and interpret them with respect to related published work;
• Evaluate arguments and evidence;
• Use abstract concepts with confidence;
• Convey, in writing, the meaning of abstract theoretical and methodological concepts in ways that are understandable to others;
• Communicate complex ideas in writing;
• Plan and manage their own learning;
• Demonstrate a range of numeracy skills where appropriate;
• Demonstrate a capacity to compile extensive bibliographies using a range of online search tools and web-based resources;
• Reflect, in writing, on their experience of conducting an extended piece of research.

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

• Students are offered two general dissertation workshops;
• Teaching is via four hours worth of allocated tutorial sessions with the student's supervisor;
• Assessment is based upon a 10,000 word dissertation;
• The module is designed to encourage independent learning and the production of a dissertation in a selected specialist area of sociology, social policy, sport or criminology;
• The basis for this study should have been provided in prior study at Levels 2 and 3 with Research Methods in Action (Level 2) being seen as providing a key contribution where many of these skills are addressed.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Optional submission of one chapter.

■ 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