HS3HLD: Dissertation in History

Module code: HS3HLD

Module provider: History; School of Humanities

Credits: 40

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Heike Schmidt, email: h.i.schmidt@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 11 November 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module leads to the completion of a dissertation of 10,000 words, excluding title page, contents page, references, appendices, and bibliography. It allows for an extended in-depth examination of a historical topic, based on guided independent research. 

The purpose of this module is to develop powers of synthesis and analysis, and of summary. Students develop IT skills through word processing, the use of on-line resources, bibliographical searching, and a high standard of presentation, including referencing in footnotes and the bibliography that meets not only the standard of academic writing but also conforms to the required departmental citation style. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Achieve a detailed command of the main issues of their chosen topic, based on guided independent research; 
2. Acquire a detailed knowledge of their chosen topic, through extensive reading of specialised literature and analysis of primary sources located through independent research 
3. Appraise critically the primary sources and historical interpretations of the topic; 
4. Organise material and articulate arguments effectively in writing using proper referencing conventions; 
5. Make an effective oral presentation on their dissertation topic and respond effectively to questions thereon. 

Module content

This module is compulsory for all single-subject History students. Students taking Ancient History and History, Archaeology and History, History and Economics, History and English, History and International Relations, History and Philosophy, or History and Politics, may elect to take a dissertation in either History or their other subject. Modern Languages and History students may choose to take the 40 credit History Dissertation in their final year. 

Dissertations may involve the examination of a specific body of primary source material, the evaluation of a particular historical controversy, or a combination of the two. Students were asked to identify their dissertation topic on their dissertation proposal form either as a coursework submission in the dissertation preparation module or as formative work, and they began to be supervised during spring semester. The bulk of the research should be conducted by the end of the summer break. 

Students are expected to begin their background preparation during the Semester 2 of Part Two, where possible as part of the dissertation preparation module, and to undertake the bulk of their research during the summer vacation. There must not be significant overlap of the dissertation with the Special Subject module in Part Three. Students are advised to do some formative writing in Semester One, culminating in their oral examinations in weeks ten and/or eleven before the winter break and then the dissertation draft deadline in week twelve after the break, before submission of the final dissertation by twelve noon on Monday of week ten in Semester Two. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Supervisors are available to provide advice and assistance. Overall, students may expect six tutorial contact hours. In addition, students should attend the dissertation lectures organised by the Department, one in Semester One and one in Semester Two of Part Three.  

The supervisor will read and comment on a draft section of not more than 3,500 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography), and a dissertation plan of 1- 2 pages, provided it is submitted by the end of Friday of week 12 of the Semester One of Part Three. Feedback will also be given on the oral examination and on any formative writing that may be required before the draft. 

Study hours

At least 8 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

These may include a research plan, a research abstract, a historiographic essay at the supervisor’s discretion.  

Reassessment

Additional costs