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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2018/2019

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Divinity : Divinity

Postgraduate Course: Approaches to Research: Religious Studies (DIVI11014)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Divinity CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThis course will prepare students for their final dissertation by addressing the various stages and considerations necessary to the planning of a research project, including reflections on sources, methods, and theoretical frameworks.
Course description Academic Description:
This course will prepare students on the MSc in Religious Studies for their final dissertation by addressing the various stages and considerations necessary to the planning of a research project, including reflections on sources, methods, and theoretical frameworks. The focus is on the students¿ ability to apply their understanding to their own chosen project, and by the end of the course students will have created a well-defined dissertation proposal.

Syllabus/Outline Content:
The course will provide full preparation for embarking on the dissertation component of the MSc, including: guidance on resources in the field, how to choose a suitable topic and refine the focus, how to deliver an oral proposal, how to write a research proposal, and the various skills required for researching and planning such a major project. The course culminates with each student delivering an oral presentation (assessed) of their proposal, and submitting a written version of their proposal.

Student Learning Experience Information:
The course is taught by means of five classes spread through semester two. Four of these are in the first four weeks of the semester, and address general considerations of sources, evidence, theories, methods, and scope. There is also discussion of how to form a written proposal, and how to present the same. The final session of the course, at the end of the semester, is devoted to assessed oral presentations of students¿ research proposals.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2018/19, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 88 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 60 %, Practical Exam 40 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Dissertation proposal: 2,000 words (60%);
Dissertation presentation: 15 minutes (40%).
Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Plan a research project of appropriate scope for a dissertation, creating and refining a research question as necessary
  2. Reflect upon the nature of sources and evidence in research and select appropriate sources for a PGT dissertation project in Religious Studies
  3. Critically engage with the theoretical frameworks and scholarly methods relevant to their chosen dissertation project
  4. Prepare a coherent written research proposal for a dissertation project, and present a version of the same, in an appropriate format, as an oral presentation
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Additional Class Delivery Information Approximately 2 hours per week in Weeks 1-4 and Week 10.
KeywordsReligious Studies; Method; Resources; Skills.
Contacts
Course organiserDr Naomi Appleton
Tel: (0131 6)50 8976
Email: Naomi.Appleton@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryDr Jessica Wilkinson
Tel: (0131 6)50 7227
Email: Jessica.Wilkinson@ed.ac.uk
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