AR3D1-Dissertation

Module Provider: Archaeology
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Summer / Autumn / Spring module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Andrew Souter
Email: a.p.souter@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Aided by a mixture of lectures, seminars and one-to-one supervisory meetings, students will carry out their own, independent research project and produce a written dissertation of c. 12,000 words.Ìý

Aims:

This module aims to equip students with advanced skills in research and enquiry by allowing them to apply and further develop the skills of information collection, analysis, and presentation gained during their degree programme within the framework of their own, independent research project.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able:

• to plan, organise. carry out and document a piece of primary research;


• to frame a problem and identify or design methods required for its solution;


• to engage in-depth with a genuine research question, and to understand and critically assess previous approaches to, and solutions of, this question or similar problems;


• to identify, assemble, organi se and analyse data and information relevant to the description, discussion and solution of the question;


• to present their work in accurate and lucid writing, and summarise question, evidence and approach orally in clear and concise words.Ìý

Additional outcomes:
The dissertation project requires the use, and encourages the improvement, of a range of essential, transferable skills, including problem-solving, information handling, numeracy, IT and communication skills.

Outline content:

Guided by their supervisors, students will identify a suitable topic, formulate research questions, aims and objectives, adapt or develop a suitable methodology, plan and conduct research through the gathering, critically reviewing and synthesising of information, analyse evidence using appropriate methods and tools and discuss the results within their wider research context.Ìý

General reading:



Swetnam, D. 2000. Writing your dissertation: how t o plan, prepare and present your work successfully. 3rd edition. Plymouth: How to Books.

Winstanley, C. 2009. Writing a Dissertation for Dummies. Chichester: Wiley

/library/study-advice/guides/lib-sa-vid eos.aspx?#dissertationvideos ÌýÌý



Initial, subject-specific reading will be provided by individual supervisors

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Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Following a dissertation briefing at the beginning of Part 2, students will identify a dissertation topic and agree supervision in conversation with their personal tutors and members of staff. They will submit an outline dissertation proposal in the 2nd half of the Spring Term of Part 2. During the Summer Term of Part 2, students attend dissertation workshops, meet with their supervisors, who are responsible for guiding and advising the student throughout the dissertation process, and draft a research design, which must be revised and submitted by the end of this term. Students should set aside the equivalent of 4 weeks full-time to work on their dissertation over the summer break and will submit their first draft chapter for formative feedback by their supervisors at the beginning of the autumn term of Part 3 and their second draft chapter at the beginning of the Spring term, amounting to a total of 5,000 words. Throughout Part 3, they will have regular meetings with their supervis ors, give an oral presentation in the middle week of the Autumn Term and attend additional dissertation skills sessions. They willsubmit the finished dissertation in the first week of the Summer Term of Part 3.Ìý