HSMDSS: Dissertation

Module code: HSMDSS

Module provider: History; School of Humanities

Credits: 80

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Full year

Module convenor: Dr Rohan Deb Roy, email: r.debroy@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: No

Last updated: 19 September 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module allows students to enhance and utilise the knowledge, understanding and skills developed across the whole of the programme, by working on a topic which reflects their own enthusiasms and research interests. It enables them to work in close cooperation with an academic specialist, and to draw on other experts' opinion as necessary. It aims to offer the opportunity to sample at first hand the experience of the research historian, and to produce a piece of work, based upon primary sources, which makes a contribution to the extension of historical knowledge.  

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Discuss critically the range of primary and secondary sources available with regard to their chosen area of specialism 
2. Devise and manage a research project, critically engaging with and making use of relevant research methodologies and techniques with respect to their chosen area of specialism 
3. Situate their own research work within the wider context of the subject's historiography and the current state of scholarship 
4. Identify and utilize appropriate bibliographical, archival and other sources of relevant information, using information technology as appropriate 
5. Collate, process and critically evaluate substantial amounts of historical material, using information technology as appropriate, in order to independently develop original and critical arguments 
6. Communicate their arguments effectively in writing, supporting them with an appropriate scholarly apparatus 

Module content

The module deals with the range and nature of the source materials potentially available for the study of history and encourages students to think critically about their use. It covers issues connected to the choice and refinement of a research project, and the different methodologies which may be deployed together with an assessment of their respective value. Practical skills required for the location of bibliographical and historical material, including the use of electronic means of bibliographic searching and information retrieval and storage, are included, together with training in the use of local and national archives and libraries. The module also deals with communication skills, including those required to construct a clear and properly referenced written text. Since the dissertation is intended to be an individual and self-selected research effort, the student will be expected progressively to prepare a series of ‘work-in-progress’ reports covering the methodology, literature and source material, under the guidance of the specialist research supervisor and the Programme Director, before writing the substantive final dissertation. The module will support progress in the dissertation through feedback on the first draft of the introduction and one chapter, encouraging students to respond to feedback and learn how to revise their academic writing. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

All students will be allocated a supervisor by the end of November after an initial literature search and a discussion about the research topic with the MA Director. The student and supervisor agree a forward plan of action to cover the rest of the academic year. Meetings are arranged ad personam, and monitored by the MA Director, with fortnightly meetings usually being the norm in the Autumn and Spring terms, three-weekly meetings thereafter. In addition, supervisors will offer comments and help via email. They will also give advice and criticism as necessary on ‘work-in-progress’ reports, and upon drafts of the completed work before submission. In addition, in the Spring Term, students will be further supported in their dissertation work by a series of seminars and workshop that provide opportunities to undertake a range of web-based and electronic exercises dealing with bibliographical searches and data storage. Students should note that supervisors will not be able to provide feedback on any draft after 1 August before submission. 

Study hours

At least 18 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 50% 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.

Draft of the Introduction and one chapter submitted for feedback by 1 August 

Reassessment

Additional costs