BAEcon Development Studies

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Development Studies Dissertation

Course unit fact file
Unit code ECON30910
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 3
Teaching period(s) Full year
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

A dissertation provides students with an organizing focus for their final year. Defining, researching and writing a dissertation can be one of the most satisfying and interesting experiences of an undergraduate student. Producing a dissertation should help students learn how to define a researchable problem, to decide upon appropriate sources, and to develop a sustained argument. In addition, dissertations reinforce and extend analytic skills. Defining, researching and writing a dissertation will help students develop valuable skills such as time management, initiative in deciding upon and locating relevant primary and secondary sources, problem-solving, developing a capacity for independent work, communicating effectively in writing, and working with some primary sources.

A student who writes a development studies dissertation will be able to: (i) develop deep knowledge about their chosen topic; (ii) develop intellectual independence; (iii) learn to define a researchable problem; (iv) learn to decide upon appropriate secondary and primary sources; (v) deploy the scholarly apparatus of bibliography and footnotes effectively; (vi) learn to develop a sustained argument; (vii) develop analytic skills; (viii) learn to meet deadlines; (ix) learn to communicate effectively in writing; (x) learn to deploy information from secondary sources as well as some primary sources.

Pre/co-requisites

Plan Pre-requisities for Development Studies specialists are: EITHER Dev Studies, Dev Studies and Politics, Dev Studies and Sociology or Dev Studies and Economics

This course unit is available to BA Econ Development Studies pathway only

Aims

A dissertation provides students with an organizing focus for their final year. Defining, researching and writing a dissertation can be one of the most satisfying and interesting experiences of an undergraduate student. Producing a dissertation should help students learn how to define a researchable problem, to decide upon appropriate sources, and to develop a sustained argument. In addition, dissertations reinforce and extend analytic skills. Defining, researching and writing a dissertation will help students develop valuable skills such as time management, initiative in deciding upon and locating relevant primary and secondary sources, problem-solving, developing a capacity for independent work, communicating effectively in writing, and working with some primary sources.

Learning outcomes

A student who writes a development studies dissertation will be able to:

  1. Develop deep knowledge about their chosen topic.
  2. Develop intellectual independence.
  3. Learn to define a researchable problem.
  4. Learn to decide upon appropriate secondary and primary sources.
  5. Deploy the scholarly apparatus of bibliography and footnotes effectively.
  6. Learn to develop a sustained argument.
  7. Develop analytic skills.
  8. Learn to meet deadlines.
  9. Learn to communicate effectively in writing.
  10. Learn to deploy information from secondary sources as well as some primary sources.

Syllabus

In undertaking a dissertation, a student will have the opportunity to develop intellectual independence while specializing in depth in a topic of interest. This can be any suitable topic related to the field of development studies. The choice of the topic will be determined by the student in consultation with a supervisor.

Teaching and learning methods

Individual study under the guidance of dissertation supervisors.

Employability skills

Analytical skills
Synthesis and analysis of data and information. Critical reflection and evaluation.
Project management
Time management.
Research
Conducting, planning and reporting on independent research.
Written communication
Other
Using library, electronic and online resources.

Assessment methods

10%      Dissertation proposal

90%      8000 word dissertation

 

Feedback methods

  • Office hours.

Recommended reading

  • May, T. (1997) Social research: Issues, methods and processes, Open University Press.
  • Robson, C. (1993) Real world research: A resource for social scientists and practitioner-researchers, Oxford University Press.
  • Wallimann, N. (2001) Your research project: A step-by-step guide for the first-time researcher, Sage.

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Nahid Farnaz Unit coordinator

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