Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2020-2021 (archived)
Module ECON3012: DISSERTATION IN ECONOMICS
Department: Economics and Finance
ECON3012: DISSERTATION IN ECONOMICS
| Type | Open | Level | 3 | Credits | 40 | Availability | Available in 2020/21 | Module Cap | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- Microeconomics (ECON2011) AND Macroeconomics (ECON2021).
Corequisites
- One other level 3 Economics module
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None.
Aims
- The dissertation should be a substantial piece of work that provides a detailed and critical examination of a particular topic. Empirical research is encouraged where appropriate to the topic and programme of study, but is not compulsory.
- The dissertation aims to encourage students to acquire the skills of independent research by pursuing a substantial project requiring research reading and/or data collection.
Content
- There is a highly structured plan of work involving lectures and consultations between individual students and their dissertation supervisors.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- Enhance student's knowledge of a specific topic in economics
Subject-specific Skills:
- By completing a dissertation, students will learn to plan and design a substantial piece of written work on an area of economics of their choice which requires literary searches, library work, and the collection/analysis of relevant data.
Key Skills:
- Written communication - by completing the summative assessment
- Planning Organisation and time management - by observing strict deadlines
- Initiative - by searching relevant literature and other information
- Computer literacy - by word-processing the dissertation
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Teaching is by lectures and consultations. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in consultations and private study. Formative assessment is by means of preparation of a dissertation outline, draft chapter for discussion at consultations and keeping of a dissertation diary. Summative assessment is by means of a written piece of 12000 words.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 4 | 2 in year 2, 2 in year 3 | 1 hour | 4 | |
| Consultations | 6 | 20 mins | 2 | ■ | |
| Student Preparation and Reading | 394 | ||||
| Total | 400 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Coursework | Component Weighting: 100% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Dissertation | 12,000 words | 100% | Same |
Formative Assessment:
Submission and approval of the Dissertation title during year 2. Preparation of dissertation outline, including methodology, and draft chapters for discussion at consultations. Keeping of a dissertation diary.
■ 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