| Unit name | Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ENGL30207 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Pam Lock |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of English |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
The aim of this unit is to support students to produce a high-quality research-based dissertation of up to 6,000 words that represents their own work with an additional 500 words to provide an abstract and well-presented front matter. The unit is designed to allow students to identify a topic or research question which interests them related to the fields of English Literature and/or Community Engagement. Students are supported to follow that interest independently, and to develop their skills in detailed, self-motivated independent research, by studying extensively and over a sustained period one or more of the following: an author (or group of authors), a theme, a literary period, and/or their community-engaged practice.
Students work with a supervisor to identify and hone research questions or concerns, to determine appropriate research methods, formulate their argument and structure a dissertation. This offers students the opportunity to demonstrate their command of academic research and writing skills on a large-scale project, and to develop skills transferable for other working environments, as well as for postgraduate study in a variety of disciplinary and vocational areas.
The project may develop and analyse a chosen theme related to another unit. Where the chosen research project is related to a taught unit, the student must develop the area beyond coverage in the taught unit and must not duplicate work required for this or any other assessed unit in their programme of study at Bristol.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
Focus units challenge and empower students to engage with specific elements of advanced literary study. These units, including the final-year dissertation, offer taught components but encourage and enable students to pursue their own research interests. Focus units cultivate ambition and independent learning while drawing on the programme’s range of teaching interests.
An overview of content
Students write a dissertation on an appropriate subject of their choice. To support this independent project, students attend regular workshops that cover key foundational skills such as independent research, advanced library skills, planning, writing, and editing. Students meet regularly with a dissertation supervisor for the discussion of research, work in progress, and written drafts. With this support, students are expected to manage their time and pursue their research and writing.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
By the end of this unit, you will understand more about how independent study works. You will have experience of working with a supervisor, responding to feedback, and discussing research and writing techniques with peers. You will also have increased confidence in your own ability to understand and express ideas and concepts, initiate and manage a small research project, establish research questions and/or parameters to guide the project, and be able to deliver a well-researched and presented final dissertation.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
This unit is normally taught through a series of 3-hour workshops. Workshops use a range of teaching methods including lectures, group discussion, research and writing activities, and peer dialogue. Students are expected to attend all timetabled teaching, engage with the reading, and participate fully with the weekly tasks and topics. Learning will be further supported through the opportunity for individual consultation with a dissertation supervisor.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Students will have the opportunity to receive written formative feedback on a draft submission of up to 2,000 words.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
6,500-word dissertation (100%) [ILOs 1-4]
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the format or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are confirmed by the School/Centre shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ENGL30207).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
