BA Latin and French / Course details

This course unit is a guided research unit, in which the student writes a 10,000-word dissertation on a subject of their own choosing that relates to their programme and/or language of study. The student will be expected to identify and develop a dissertation topic appropriate to the scale of the project. They will shape a central research question that should provide scope to explore sophisticated critical issues and undertake complex research and analysis. Following some initial lectures on key issues related to undertaking and designing a dissertation project, the student will work with a dissertation supervisor in their subject area, who will provide guidance with relevant research methods, writing skills and analysis of data. Thus, this course unit affords the student the opportunity to design and undertake a large research project, and will involve significant independent research. 

IMPORTANT: Students are reminded that they should seek formal ethical approval before undertaking any research for their dissertation that involves third parties (e.g. interviews, questionnaires, etc.). This includes any preliminary research that students may wish to undertake during their year abroad or the summer prior to their final year. They should contact the Course Unit Director for guidance on how and when to apply for such approval. 

• To develop a better understanding of the languages, cultures and/or histories of an area of the world 

• To explore an aspect of the languages, cultures and/or histories of an area of the world in greater analytical depth 

• To develop critical thinking, conceptual reasoning and analytical skills 

• To place an analysis of culture and/or history in their social, aesthetic and political context 

An indicative list of topics to be covered in the three lectures scheduled for the start of Semester 1 are: 

• How to devise a workable dissertation 

• How to write and revise research questions 

• How to compile a critical bibliography on a given topic 

• How to make the most of e-resources 

• How to write a literature review 

• How to write effective plans 

• 3 methodology lectures followed by  individual meetings with the supervisor 

   

  In cases in which a supervisor has more than one student, there may be a group-work component to the course unit. Any such groups will normally be 3-6 students, who will meet to discuss research findings and review each other’s work, under the guidance of their supervisor. Additionally, students will have one to one meetings with their supervisor. 

   

  The language of instruction of this unit is English. Please note, however, that it is a requirement to demonstrate engagement with the target language in the dissertation (if applicable), through analysis/use of either primary or secondary sources. 

   

  The Blackboard website for this module includes: 

  • PowerPoint slides for all lectures 

  • Instructions on all assessment components  

• Show an in-depth knowledge of an aspect of the languages, cultures and/or histories of and area of the world  

• Show familiarity with key scholarly debates and literature about their chosen topic   

• Define a topic for research 

• Write and revise a key research question 

• Write analytical plans for extended pieces of work  

• Develop a written argument of depth and complexity, using primary sources (if required) and critical literature, with a standard of scholarly presentation of the material produced appropriate to Level 3 study.   

• Use the library, electronic and online resources 

• Engage in significant independent research 

• Design a large-scale research project appropriate to Level 3 study 

• Organize a large volume of information  

• Manage time effectively, self-motivate and work to deadlines 

• Communicate a coherent and critical argument of depth and complexity in written form  

• Use information and communication technology (ICT) 

• Assess the relevance and importance of the ideas of others 

• Demonstrate powers of analysis 

• Display good literacy skills in English 

• Assessment methods

  Assessment task	Formative or Summative	Weighting within unit (%)
  Dissertation title, abstract and annotated bibliography	Summative	5%
  Dissertation plan	Summative	5%
  Draft chapter	Formative	n/a
  Dissertation	Summative	90%

  
   

  Feedback methods

  Feedback method	Formative or Summative
  Written and oral feedback on the title, abstract and annotated bibliography in week 6-7	Summative
  Written and oral feedback on the dissertation plan by week 12	Summative
  Written and oral feedback on draft chapter no later than 15 working days after submission	Formative
  Written feedback on the dissertation	Formative

  Recommended reading

  Chambers, Ellie, and Northledge, Andrew, The Arts Good Study Guide (Milton Keynes: Oxford University Press, 1997) 

   

  Reardon, Denis, Doing Your Undergraduate Project (London: SAGE, 2004) 

  Study hours

  Scheduled activity hours
  Lectures	3
  Tutorials	6

  Independent study hours
  Independent study	391

  Additional notes

  • An average mark of 60% at Level 2 is highly recommended for admission onto this course unit. Students who do not have to take this unit as part of their degree requirements and who have an average mark of less than 60% at Level 2 will need to seek approval from the Course Unit Director to be able to take this unit. 

   

  Enrolment procedure: Students must submit their dissertation topic proposal form to the course unit director by the end of the first Friday of September. It is expected that in most circumstances students will have already undertaken preparatory research, especially taking advantage of sources available during the period of residence abroad (if applicable), before beginning the unit. Following submission of the proposal form, the Course Unit Director will work with colleagues in the subject area to then evaluate the topic, decide whether it is feasible and, if so, whether there is sufficient expertise within the subject area to supervise the project. Students will be offered the chance to change their topic in cases where approval is not forthcoming. If an appropriate topic cannot be finalised by the end of Week 2 then a student will be required to choose alternative units. If approved, the student will be allocated a supervisor based on 1) staff expertise and 2) fair distribution of workload among staff. When, because of workload distribution, it is not possible to allocate students to the supervisor whose expertise is most appropriate, students will be offered the choice of changing their topic. In cases in which particular expertise is highly popular, students may be allocated a supervisor based on their second year average mark or based on the strength of their proposal. Allocation of supervisors will be finalised by the end of week 1 of teaching. In cases in which a supervisor has more than one student, there may be a group-work component to the course unit. Any such groups will normally be 3-6 students, who will meet to discuss research findings and review each other's work, under the guidance of their supervisor. Additionally, students will have one to one meetings with their supervisor. 

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