Course unit details:
Dissertation (MA)
| Unit code | ENGL60010 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Aims
To explore at the practical level the particular demands and difficulties of developing and completing a significant piece of creative work, and to develop students’ ability to present their writing in a form which accords with generally recognised conventions within the publishing industry.
Teaching and learning methods
You will be allocated a dissertation supervisor in early April. Your supervisor will offer you feedback and support at three dedicated meetings during the dissertation writing period. Usually, all three meetings are expected to have taken place by mid-July. Further information on supervisory arrangements will be provided at the beginning of the dissertation period.
Knowledge and understanding
-Recognise and understand some of the particular challenges and requirements of developing and completing an extended piece of creative work;
-Plan effectively in order to meet the demands and challenges of developing an extended piece of creative work;
-Effectively revise and edit in response to feedback;
Practical skills
The dissertation will equip you with:
- An ability to identify and pursue a creative project;
- An ability to present and submit creative work in alignment with sector conventions;
- An ability to edit your writing effectively;
Transferable skills and personal qualities
The dissertation will equip you with many transferable skills, including:
- time management
- familiarity with a wide range of IT tools
- advanced reading and writing skills
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Dissertation | 100% |
Feedback methods
Feedback method | Formative or Summative |
Supervisory meetings | Formative |
Written feedback on draft material (optional) | Formative |
Written feedback on dissertation | summative |
Recommended reading
As you will be in charge of your own project, you will need to identify and complete the necessary relevant reading. To identify relevant secondary sources, don’t just use JStor or Google scholar; use the specialist databases available through the library catalogue. (You can find a list of the resources relevant to literary studies, history, and other fields by looking at the ‘subject guides’ on the library website).
For work in literary studies, the MLA Bibliography offers perhaps the most extensive catalogue of existing journal articles and book chapters. Monographs can be identified via large multi-library catalogues like WorldCat.