Postgraduate Course: Dissertation (MSW) (PGSP11039)
Course Outline
School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Course type | Dissertation |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
SCQF Credits | 60 |
ECTS Credits | 30 |
Summary | The dissertation course is an independent programme of study in which students are engaged throughout their degree programme which culminates in the submission of a 13,000 word dissertation. Students are expected to take responsibility for identifying their chosen topic, carrying out all the necessary work and producing the dissertation. Input on dissertation preparation is provided through three workshop sessions and students will be encouraged to keep a learning log or diary detailing their developing knowledge of their topic. In addition, individual support and guidance in the form of written feedback work is available at key points through the process, and students may request additional help if needed.
The MSW dissertation is not designed as an empirical study. Instead, its focus is an investigation of a social work topic through two fields of enquiry: firstly, a critical appraisal of written sources (research and literature, legislation, policy documents relevant to the topic etc) and secondly, an analysis of material from discussion with key informants (e.g. practitioners, researchers, service user groups, managers from social work and social care settings). Students are expected to bring together these two sources into a series of implications for social work policy and practice. |
Course description |
Not entered
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Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
Ability to work independently
Ability to think and write creatively
Ability to carry out a literature search (through library and internet research) and identify relevant reading
Ability to examine a topic in depth, critically analysing sources and producing a balanced review of evidence
Ability to set up meetings and interview key informants purposefully
Ability to write at length coherently and to purpose
Ability to identify implications for social work policy and practice
Ability to work to and meet deadlines
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Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
Course organiser | Dr Jackie Gulland
Tel: (0131 6)50 8256
Email: Jackie.Gulland@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Gillian Macdonald
Tel: (0131 6)51 3244
Email: gillian.macdonald@ed.ac.uk |
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