Postgraduate Course: Research Design: Dissertation (PGHC11356)
Course Outline
| School | School of History, Classics and Archaeology |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Postgraduate (History, Classics and Archaeology) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | r dissertation. Whether they are returning to learning or not, a piece of original research at Masters level is something that will not have attempted previously. This course is designed to provide students with supervisory input in ways akin to those on campus students receive as part of their dissertation proposal.
This course aims to provide students with the specific guidelines, advice, academic suggestions and practical support to conduct and complete a high quality dissertation. The course aims to provide an excellent level of input from the supervisor appointed, and to encourage the student to develop a successful working relationship with the supervisor. It also provides an opportunity for the supervisor to monitor the shape and progress of the dissertation proposal. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing the course, students will:
&· be able to research a historical topic systematically;
&· be able to relate conceptual and empirical materials in a way that will address questions of historical analysis and interpretation;
&· be confident of their ability to undertake a significant piece of original research, sustain a thesis, and to do so independently;
&· be capable of recognising and applying ideas, theories and approaches explored in coursework to the dissertation;
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Assessment Information
| A research proposal (1500 words) identifying the central research question and subsidiary issues. The dissertation proposal should include a historiographical context and an intellectual justification for the dissertation. The proposal should also provide an evaluation of the nature and scope of relevant primary historical sources, as well as a detailed bibliography of secondary works. In particular the proposal should engage with appropriate historical concepts and theories and explain the methodology to be employed |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
The course forms a compulsory element of year 2 of the part time Distance Education programme MSc in Landscape, Environment and History. |
| Syllabus |
The course forms a compulsory element of year 2 of the part time Distance Education programme MSc in Landscape, Environment and History.
Content of the Course
In the first instance the programme director will explain the nature and scope of the dissertation, expanding on the guidelines in the History Handbook in an online tutorial with the students. The significance of the dissertation weighting and its relationship to course work and research training will be explained. Emphasis will also be placed on developing a research topic in conjunction with advice from a member of staff appointed by the School as supervisor. Through e mail, phone, and online contact, the supervisor will discuss the development of the research project, providing appropriate readings, and suggesting primary sources.
Organisation of Teaching
&· Advisory session on line detailing procedures associated with dissertation;
&· Discussions concerning choice of topic;
&· Phone and e mail follow up and discussion;
&· Monitoring progress of research;
&· Commenting on research design, methodology, sources;
&· Advisory session on contents of draft proposal;
&· Feedback;
&· Online discussion, feedback; suggestions for further development
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| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Each research project is highly individual so the bibliography developed by the student is an important skill in itself, and forms part of the assessment criteria. The supervisor will provide some initial guidelines and specific suggestions. However, the student will be expected to use research skills acquired in year 1 to develop a substantial list of relevant items, which should not be entirely on line in nature. |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Richard Rodger
Tel:
Email: Richard.Rodger@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Lindsay Scott
Tel: (0131 6)50 9948
Email: Lindsay.Scott@ed.ac.uk |
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