FAMDA-Dissertation

Module Provider: Art
Number of credits: 60 [30 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Prof Alun Rowlands
Email: a.rowlands@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module is designed to develop students' abilities in conducting and writing up an extended research project.

Aims:
This module aims to enable students to conduct an extended independent research project. It aims to develop students' ability to identify appropriate topics and research questions, to analyse and structure research material, to develop cogent arguments, to sustain an enquiry over a lengthy period of time, and to organize a lengthy piece of writing.

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• identify (and refine with the supervisor's guidance), and research in detail an academic topic suitable for a scholarly inquiry and appropriate to the length of an MA dissertation


• plan and organise the processes of research and writing of a lengthy piece of academic inquiry


• sustain throughout the dissertation a scholarly argument that incorporates critica l evidence and information derived from a variety of sources, including suitable primary sources where appropriate, and data derived from direct experience and study of works of art and architecture, and/or text under discussion


• show that they have a critical understanding of the dissertation topic, and demonstrate critical evaluation of bibliographical research


• demonstrate a critical understanding of the various research methods and scholarly approaches used in t he field of their dissertation topic


• use appropriately scholarly apparatus for referring to sources and ideas as well as compiling a bibliography relevant to the dissertation


• analyse and use visual evidence and illustrations effectively and as an integral part of a critical analysis of a particular theme, issue or problem

Additional outcomes:
In working on their dissertation, students acquire relevant skills in planning and managing their own work schedule. They will need to demonstrate these skills and techniques in both tutorials with their supervisor and the dissertation presentations that they are required to give. They will also need to show self-motivation over an extended time period. The dissertation will also consolidate students' research and IT skills by requiring them to make extensive use of library, archival (where appropriate) and other relevant research sources.

Outline content:
The module provides the students with the opportunity to identify, research, and organise a significant piece of scholarly writing. The dissertation is undertaken with the support and advice provided through general, small-group, and tutorial meetings. The dissertation will be an independent, scholarly piece of work that should be up to 18,000 words in length.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Throughout their work on the dissertation students are required to attend general, small-group, and tutorial meetings, in order to present and discuss the development and progress of the dissertation.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One dissertation up to 18,000 words (excluding notes and bibliography).

Formative assessment methods:

Students give a short presentation on their research-in-progress. Students receive feedback on their proposal and drafts of work by their supervisor.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 􀀓Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes􀀔, which can be found here: