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ANTH45360: Dissertation

It is possible that changes to modules or programmes might need to be made during the academic year, in response to the impact of Covid-19 and/or any further changes in public health advice.

Type Open
Level 4
Credits 60
Availability Available in 2023/24
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Anthropology

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • The aim of the dissertation is to give the student the opportunity to conduct an independent research project in a specialist area of their degree, utilising the techniques developed in the research methods modules.

Content

  • Specialised research on a topic agreed with a supervisor(s) and the degree tutor. The student is expected to write a literature review, collect data (by fieldwork,laboratory work or from published sources), conduct data analysis and provide a discussion of his or her findings.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Students will develop a deep understanding of the theory and current state of knowledge in the area in which they conduct their research
  • students will develop an advanced understanding of methodological issues in the area in which they conduct their research

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Students will further develop their skills to research and interrogate the relevant literature
  • Students will learn to indentify relevant methods for research in a specified area
  • Students will learn to evaluate and articulate relevant ethical issues applicable to their research project
  • Specialised supervision will help students develop advanced research skills

Key Skills:

  • Students will further hone skills to write clearly and concisely, explaining why their topic of research is important, critiquing previous research, and providing a coherent discussion of their findings
  • Students will learn to manage a research project from an initial idea, the development of a research question, collection of data to the presentation of a dissertation
  • Studentswill use computer software for analysis and/or presentation of data
  • Students will conduct advanced and/or qualitative anaysis

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • An introductory lecturewill provide information on preparation for the dissertation
  • The remainder of teaching and learning is by regular supervison by an appointed and appropriate staff member. The task of the supervisor is to guide the student through the stages of planning, implementing and writing up of their discussion, meeting all the learning outcomes
  • Assessment is by a written dissertation, which should demonstrate acquisition of all the learning outcomes

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lecture33 in Michaelmas 2 hr6 
Tutorials10As needed throughout the year1 hr10 
Preparation and reading time584 
Total600 

Summative Assessment

Component: DissertationComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Dissertation15000 words100

Formative Assessment

A formative proposal and a formative literature review.

More information

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our Help page. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the Help page, or a query about the on-line Postgraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

Prospective Students: If you have a query about a specific module or degree programme, please Ask Us.

Current Students: Please contact your department.