THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2023/2024

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Social and Political Science : Postgrad (School of Social and Political Studies)

Postgraduate Course: Dissertation (MSc Global Mental Health and Society) (PGSP11567)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Social and Political Science CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)
Course typeDissertation AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits60 ECTS Credits30
SummaryAll students will undertake a 15,000 word dissertation on a topic related to the field of global mental health to be submitted by a date specified in the University Regulations. The dissertation is an extended piece of scholarship in which a student is expected to formulate and sustain a substantive piece of research. The dissertation is expected to engage critically and analytically with literature in the field, building upon relevant concepts and theory covered in the taught element of the degree and deploying a range of secondary (and in some cases primary) sources as well as appropriate data-analytic and bibliographic skills. Students will be allocated a research supervisor from the end of the second semester to advise on and oversee her/his research progress.
Course description 1) Academic Description

The dissertation is an extended piece of writing up to 15,000 words on a topic related to the field of global mental health to be submitted by a date specified in the University Regulations. The dissertation is an extended piece of scholarship in which a student is expected to formulate and sustain a substantive piece of research. The dissertation is expected to engage critically and analytically with literature in the field, building upon relevant concepts and theory covered in the taught element of the degree and deploying a range of secondary (and in some cases primary) sources as well as appropriate data-analytic and bibliographic skills. Students will be allocated a research supervisor from the end of the second semester to advise on and oversee her/his research progress.

2) Outline Content

The dissertation entails (guided) self-study and research on a topic in the field of global mental health chosen by the student in consultation with the programme director.

3) Student learning experience

The primary delivery of the course is via:

a) Five 2-hour sessions across semester 1 and 2 addressing specific issues related to the dissertation and supporting students to develop their dissertation proposal. These sessions (complementary to content in the three programme core-courses) will include sessions on: introducing the dissertation; developing research questions; developing research methods; and ethical issues in global mental health research.

b) Meetings with programme director in semester 1 and 2

c) Meetings with academic supervisor (3-4, in-person/over phone/Skype) from the end of semester 2 to submission.

d) Detailed feedback on review of academic literature and policy context

e) Detailed feedback on one chapter.

f) Substantive feedback on, the general structure and organisation of dissertation.

g) Ongoing help with specific queries (email).
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2023/24, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  0
Course Start Block 5 (Sem 2) and beyond
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 600 ( Dissertation/Project Supervision Hours 5, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 12, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 583 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Dissertation (15,000 words), 100%. Assessment criteria follows the SPS PG Marking Scheme«br /»
«br /»
Feedback The dissertation will be blind double-marked during August/September of the year of the programme. This means that two internal examiners will read and mark the dissertation independently, then meet to agree the final mark. One marker may be the student's Supervisor, the other will be an independent internal marker. All dissertations are marked anonymously. The dissertation may also be reviewed by an external examiner as part of the examination process, and all marks are confirmed at the Board of Examiners in October. Students should be aware that the University Regulations do not allow a dissertation to be referred or resubmitted. Any student who does not pass the dissertation may be eligible to receive the Diploma, provided their coursework marks are sufficient. The degree is normally awarded at the November graduation.

No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. The dissertation will be blind double-marked during August/September of the year of the programme. This means that two internal examiners will read and mark the dissertation independently, then meet to agree the final mark. One marker may be the student's Supervisor, the other will be an independent internal marker. All dissertations are marked anonymously. The dissertation may also be reviewed by an external examiner as part of the examination process, and all marks are confirmed at the Board of Examiners in October. Students should be aware that the University Regulations do not allow a dissertation to be referred or resubmitted. Any student who does not pass the dissertation may be eligible to receive the Diploma, provided their coursework marks are sufficient. The degree is normally awarded at the November graduation.
  2. Demonstrate mastery of a range of techniques of enquiry and/or materials reflecting the current state of their discipline and appropriate to independent research on their chosen subject
  3. Employ relevant concepts and theories in presenting a sustained argument/thesis that is developed in accordance with social scientific norms and engages critically and analytically with the significant relevant literature in the field of their specialist interest
  4. Exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in time and task management, taking primary responsibility for all aspects of their work
  5. Deal self-reflexively with complex ethical and professional/academic issues and make informed judgements on issues arising in the context of independent research
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Students will develop:

- Professional skills in critical analysis;
- Professional skills in presenting complex information in accessible ways;
- Ability to work with others to debate complex issues and prioritize approaches.

KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Sumeet Jain
Tel: (0131 6)51 1463
Email: Sumeet.Jain@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Beth Richardson-Mills
Tel: (0131 6)51 1659
Email: brichar3@ed.ac.uk
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