Module MUSI3041: DISSERTATION

Department: Music

MUSI3041: DISSERTATION

Prerequisites

• Students must have taken a Level 2 module from the Music pathway corresponding to their dissertation.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Students may only also take MUSI3332 (Dissertation double) if it is in another pathway.

Aims

• To enable students in their final year to undertake a substantial study of a topic approved by the Department of Music. This serves as the major piece of written work in the degree programme and as preparation for postgraduate study. Students are expected to demonstrate an ability to work independently, with the support of regular individual supervision, applying research skills developed in the first two years of the course (i.e. defining a research question, collecting and evaluating a body of relevant information, and writing the results up in a coherent and logical manner).

Content

• The student will produce a dissertation of not more than 8,000 words on a subject approved by the Department of Music in one of the following areas: musicology, music analysis, ethnomusicology, music and science or popular music.
• Preparation begins with the specification of a proposed topic at the beginning of the Easter term of the student’s second year; following approval and completion of ethics procedures where applicable, a preliminary search for source material is to be conducted over the summer vacation and an abstract prepared for the start of the Michaelmas term. The student is expected to work on the dissertation consistently over the course of the academic year, maintaining regular contact with a nominated supervisor. Students are also expected to attend dissertation seminars, and to discuss their own project with other students.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will also increase their knowledge of the particular topic addressed in the dissertation.

• Students apply and further develop a range of core musicological research skills, including the definition of research questions or problems; searches for source material including academic literature; awareness of research ethics issues; critical reading of scholarly literature and, as appropriate, skills in the analysis and interpretation of other sources; and writing a sustained narrative in an appropriate prose style and presented according to standard academic conventions. In the context of dissertation seminars students develop their skills in presenting their own arguments, and in commenting on the work of others in a constructive manner.

• Students will be able to demonstrate an ability to work effectively on an independent research project, and to communicate effectively with clarity of written expression and the appropriate use of scholarly conventions and specialist vocabulary.

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

• One to one tutorials will guide students through the process from the definition of a research question and initial literature searches to writing up. Students are expected to keep in regular contact with their supervisors, and to take the initiative in arranging tutorial sessions at appropriate times. They are expected to present samples of written work in a timely manner in order to allow supervisors to give feedback. Dialogue with the supervisor, and with fellow students in the context of seminars, sharpen students’ ability for critical debate, independent thinking, and reflective judgement.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Individual comments on materials (text, bibliography, discography etc) submitted by students for tutorial sessions. Feedback from peers and staff on material presented at seminars.

■ 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