| CODE | HST5099 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Dissertation | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 80 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | History | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | A dissertation presented for a Master of Arts (Research) in History is an exercise in independent research that normally makes significant use of primary sources. These sources may be of various kinds. Students often need to do some background secondary reading to show how the dissertation relates to a particular question or theme and to possible interpretations of it. Normally a dissertation focuses on a specialised topic, but it may also deal with questions of methodology, or with the historiography of a specific problem, provided that the focus is on how sources are used and interpreted. In a dissertation, a student is expected to show skills like evaluation, critique, and application of evidence/data to support arguments and points of view. Moreover, satisfactory literary presentation and observance of the standard conventions of style and referencing are required. Every History MA student is expected to have written, and submitted for examination, a dissertation of 50,000-60,000 words, exclusive of Notes, Bibliography, and Appendices. All dissertations should follow the Departmental style-sheet, copies of which are available from the Departmental website. The dissertation shall be either: (i) a record of original work based on primary sources; or (ii) a critical reassessment of existing data with regard to the subject chosen. The choice of subject is up to the student. However, the department has research programmes within which students may choose their topic. A viva-voce examination will be held for all the students. Students who make use of oral history as part of their research are expected to hand in all tapes and transcripts to the Department and fill the appropriate forms. Tapes and transcripts will thereafter be deposited in the Oral History Centre. Study-unit Aims: The Dissertation is intended to develop the student's skills in carrying out independent research that normally makes significant use of primary sources. The study-unit aims to show students how to: - research a topic from original sources and develop a thesis based on them; - evaluate original sources; - be more critical and creative thinkers; - acquire a deeper understanding of the professional historian's craft. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Design and develop under supervision an independent piece of research according to the established criteria of academic writing; - Carry out the research; - Explain clearly and fully the aims, methodology, results, and conclusions drawn from the research exercise; - Discuss with the supervisor(s) and peers the positive and negative aspects of the research carried out. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Meticulously undertake all the background work which go into the preparation of the research project; - Structure a substantial piece of written work; - Manage time effectively and complete the work to deadline; - Skillfully execute any practical aspects of the research exercise; - Prepare and present a professional and academically sound write-up of the research exercise, including the use of appropriate graphic and textual apparatus where applicable. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: To be given according to topic chosen. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Co-Requisite Study-unit: ATS5201 **September Assessment Session: Students who fail to obtain an overall pass mark will be re-examined in the Dissertation. However, the resit availability for the Oral Examination is at the discretion of the Board of Examiners. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Dissertation | ||||||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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