Course unit details:
Dissertation (Egyptology)
| Unit code | CAHE60900 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 60 |
| Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
| Teaching period(s) | Full year |
| Offered by | Classics, Ancient History, Archaeology & Egyptology |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This 60-credit unit is a compulsory part of the online Masters in Egyptology at the University of Manchester.
It requires students to devise, research and write a 15000 word dissertation, produced to the accepted academic standards of the University of Manchester in terms of presentation, structure and source material.
Pre/co-requisites
Historical Studies of Ancient Egypt; Urbanism in Ancient Egypt; Art and Artists in Ancient Egypt.
Aims
The unit aims to:
1. provide students with the opportunity to undertake a major independent research project.
2. engage with students where required to provide appropriate guidance during the research and writing process.
3. allow students to formulate and engage a research methodology.
4. provide students with the opportunity to disseminate, in appropriate academic writing, the results of their independent research.
5. afford students an opportunity to demonstrate the skillset and breadth of knowledge they have acquired during their time on the course.
Learning outcomes
Students will have the opportunity to discuss their project with their supervisor via monthly Skype meetings during Year 2 of the Master of Egyptology. The supervisors will also be reachable via email.
Dedicated Blackboard discussion boards will also be set up where students can ask more general questions about structure, layout, referencing etc.
Knowledge and understanding
- Demonstrate an excellent command of the scholarly literature and primary source material relevant to their topic.
- Display an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the corpus of primary source material (written, iconographic and archaeological).
Intellectual skills
- Correctly and coherently formulate a complex argument and line of reasoning throughout their dissertation leading to a well-evidenced and pertinent conclusion.
- Demonstrate an appropriate level of critical thinking in terms of source selection and discussion.
Practical skills
- Correctly and consistently reference using the preferred University of Manchester referencing system.
- Demonstrate an ability to build upon and expanding a pre-set bibliography.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
- Effectively manage their time and produce a productive research plan.
- Demonstrate the ability to select pertinent primary and secondary data sources consistently.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Dissertation | 100% |
Feedback methods
Dissertation 15000 words
Written mark and feedback received following the examiner's meeting
Recommended reading
Biggam, J. 2017. Succeeding with your Masters Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Handbook. Open University Press: London.
Blair, L. 2016. Writing a Graduate Thesis or Dissertation. Sense Publishers: Rotterdam.
Furseth, I. and Everett, E. L. 2013. Doing your Master’s Dissertation: From Start to Finish. SAGE: London.
Rudestam, K. E. and Newton, R. R. 2015. Surviving Your Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process. SAGE: Los Angeles.
Winstanley, C. 2009. Writing a Dissertation for Dummies. Wiley: Chichester.
Study hours
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 600 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Nicky Nielsen | Unit coordinator |
| Marina Escolano Poveda | Unit coordinator |
| Joyce Tyldesley | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
Monthly face-to-face (Skype) supervisory meetings throughout Year 2.