Code 24029
Level of study Third/Final year
Credit value 20
Semester 1+2
Pre-requisite modules None
Other pre-requisites None
The short dissertation is a piece of substantial independent research (6,000 words) on a subject in Theology and/or Religion chosen by the individual student from within the range of supervision topics offered within the department in any one year. Students work closely on an individual basis with a supervisor (i.e. a member of staff appointed to assist them and guide them through their research). Students should meet with their supervisor to report on progress and discuss their dissertation between two and five times per term. The Supervisor may advise on the dissertation as a whole, and provide detailed feedback on draft chapters. They are not permitted to see or comment on the final draft. The dissertation should ordinarily be submitted on the Friday of week six in Semester 2.
The dissertation allows students to put into practice the skills and knowledge acquired throughout the degree and, in particular, during the Dissertation Preparation Course in Year 2. The findings of this research must be word-processed, and presented in an extended form with full argumentation and scholarly apparatus, so that (a) the identity and value of the sources, and (b) the quality and structure of the argument can be clearly understood by both a reader who is a specialist in that particular subject and a well-informed reader who is not a specialist in that particular field.
The course will be delivered through supervised private research. WebCT will be used to support these teaching and learning activities where appropriate. This course will, as far as possible, adhere to the chief principles of the University’s current Learning and Teaching strategy.