module
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
SOC3040: Dissertation
This module descriptor refers to the 2016/7 academic year.
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
An introductory seminar will outline the process of writing the dissertation, expectations regarding standards of argument and research, and formal requirements. It will also provide guidance as to how to find a viable topic. You will then meet individually with the module leader to agree a topic. You will then be assigned to thematic study groups convened by the module leader and guided by another member of staff acting as expert advisor. You will produce an initial plan and literature list in the first month of the semester and a full first draft by the first month of the second semester. (if you have taken SOC2004 “Into the Field” you are allowed to use the research proposal produced for this module as an initial plan if you wish to do so.) In the two study group meetings, you will present on your work in progress and receive feedback from the expert advisor. You will be assigned another student on whose work in progress you are expected to comment.
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 291 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 2 | Supervision meetings. You will initially meet individually with the module leader to agree a topic. |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 2 | Introductory seminar will outline the process of writing the dissertation, expectations regarding standards of argument and research, and formal requirements. It will also provide guidance as to how to find a viable topic. |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 5 | Study Groups. You will then be assigned to thematic study groups convened by the module leader and guided by another member of staff acting as expert advisor. In the two study group meetings, you will present on your work in progress and receive feedback from the expert advisor. You will be assigned another student on whose work in progress you are expected to comment |
| Guided independent study | 40 | Initial dissertation title, plan and literature list |
| Guided independent study | 120 | Dissertation research and production of first draft of dissertation. |
| Guided independent study | 11 | Preparing presentations of research-in-progress for study group meetings |
| Guided independent study | 120 | Completion of final dissertation |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/