Dissertation (ARCM008)

Staff	Dr Marisa Lazzari - Lecturer
Credit Value	90
ECTS Value	45
NQF Level	7
Pre-requisites	At least 60 credits of taught Postgraduate Taught Archaeology modules
Co-requisites	At least 90 credits of other Postgraduate Taught Archaeology modules
Duration of Module	Term 2: 15 weeks; Term 3: until deadline end of August weeks;

Module aims

To pursue an individual programme of research applying appropriate principles and methodologies to a case-study or studies approved by the programme director and the relevant supervisor, to read extensively in the background literature relevant to the topic, to evaluate and utilise appropriate methods and techniques suitable for developing the research, and to write a coherent and well-ordered dissertation presenting the research.

ILO: Module-specific skills

1. Demonstrate a systematic and comprehensive understanding of techniques and/or methods appropriate to the dissertation topic
2. Demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a developed understanding of the context of wider research relevant to the dissertation topic
3. Demonstrate a developed knowledge and understanding of the literature relating to the dissertation topic

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

4. Demonstrate self-direction in the collating of information from disparate sources
5. Demonstrate a developed practical understanding of established techniques and archaeological methodologies, including specific techniques and methodologies appropriate to the material under study
6. Analyse and integrate primary published and unpublished data, drawing on the grey literature where necessary, and, where appropriate, propose new hypotheses and conclusions
7. Assimilate and critically analyse published/unpublished library, museum, lab and field data 8. present a clearly structured, well written and appropriately illustrated dissertation
8. Demonstrate critical awareness of practical and theoretical issues relating to the subject of the dissertation
9. Produce a coherent research design that shows familiarity with standard research methods

ILO: Personal and key skills

10. Undertake an extended piece of research largely through self-study
11. Show organisation relating to deadlines, acquisition of necessary skills, etc
12. Produce a well-written and well-presented assignment

Syllabus plan

Spring term: One seminar introducing the requirements and scope of the dissertation, and two tutorials to develop an outline proposal leading to the submission of a research design.

Summer term: two tutorials giving specific advice on research topic and checking progress.

Long vacation: One contact event (may be by email) to check progress, timing dependent on staff availability.

The module continues until the deadline at the end of August.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
6	894	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching	6	Introductory seminar and two tutorials to support the initiation of the project and the production of research design during Spring semester (ILO 10). At least two tutorials to support the pursuit of the project during the Summer term. One contact event for support over the Long Vacation, timing dependent on staff availability.
Guided independent study	894	Independent study time

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Research design	2000 words	All	Oral feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Dissertation	100	30000 words maximum	All	Written feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Dissertation	Dissertation (30000 words maximum)	All	Referral/Deferral period

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

The dissertation is to be presented according to the style laid out in the Archaeology Handbook. General reading Baxter, L., Hughes, C. & Tight, M. 1996: How to research. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Bell, J. 1993: Doing your research project. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Creswell, J.W. 1994: Research design: qualitative and quantitative methods. London: Sage.
Flick, U. 1998: An introduction to qualitative research. London: Sage.
O'Connor, M. & Woodford, F.P. 1975: Writing scientific papers in English. Oxford: Association of Scientific Publishers.
Parsons, T. & Knight, P.G. 1995: How to do your dissertation in geography and related disciplines. London: Chapman & Hall.
Rudestam, K.E. & Newton, R.R. 1992: Surviving your dissertation. London: Sage.