COMB3002: Interdisciplinary Dissertation (40 credits)

• Any level 2 methods module or other appropriate evidence.

• A minimum of 20 credits in each of the subjects combined in the dissertation.

• Any other dissertation module.

• To give students the opportunity to undertake an extended interdisciplinary study bringing together the theories and concepts from the subjects they have studied within their Combined Social Science degree programme.

• Dissertation on a substantial topic in the field of social science chosen by the student and bringing together theories and concepts from their other subject modules.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Demonstrate an ability to formulate informed research questions relating to a chosen topic;
• Display a critical understanding of key theoretical concerns and appropriate underlying concepts relevant to their chosen area of research;
• Display a critical understanding of the core methodological issues relating to their area of research;
• Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the particular issues (e.g. theoretical, methodological and, where appropriate, policy-related) associated with their research topic.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Plan and devise a programme of work applicable to investigating the defined research questions;
• Identify and survey literature relevant to the research questions;
• Evaluate arguments and evidence;
• Undertake and present theoretical and empirical material in a scholarly manner;
• Employ both theoretical and methodological expertise in independently analysing key issues related to their chosen research topic.

Key Skills:

• Communicate complex ideas in writing;
• Plan and manage their own learning;
• Demonstrate a range of numeracy skills where appropriate;
• Demonstrate a capacity to compile extensive bibliographies using a range of online search tools and web-based resources.

• Students are given two plenary general dissertation workshops;
• There will be six individual supervisions each lasting for thirty minutes;
• A formative plan (including list of chapter headings, summary of contents and working bibliography) will be submitted and returned during Michaelmas term;
• A formative draft chapter will be submitted and returned during Epiphany term;
• Summative assessment will be a 12,000 word dissertation submitted at the start of Easter term.

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