Module Information
Module Identifier
AH21020
Module Title
Dissertation Preparation and Professional Practice for Students of Art History
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Pre-Requisite
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Literature Review 2,000 words 2000 Words | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | Research proposal 2,000 words 2000 Words | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Literature Review 2,000 words 2000 Words | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Research Proposal 2,000 words 2000 Words | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Articulate research aims and career goals
Access and assess academic sources online and conduct effective library research
Develop a dissertation topic and sustain an argument
Review current academic literature on a chosen topic
Write a research proposal
Outline and paragraph effectively
Incorporate researched materials through quotations and paraphrases
Brief description
This core module for Single Honours Art History and Single Honours Art History with Fine Art prepares students for the third-year Dissertation module.
It is designed to guide students through the process of developing the dissertation project from the early stages of a) exploring potential subjects and b) securing a supervisor to subsequent stages of c) renegotiating, revising and redefining the research topic and d) outlining and drafting the dissertation.
The module provides skills essential to written and verbal communication in an academic and professional context, including MLA style documentation and citation, outlining, proposal and CV writing, as well as presenting, negotiating and defending a research project.
The mechanics of academically sound writing, scholarly presentation and the use of appropriate resources, methodologies and patterns of organisation are conveyed through workshop exercises, projects and individual research/writing assignments.
By the end of the module, students will have defined a dissertation topic, begun an initial draft of their dissertation in consultation with the supervisor of their choice, and prepared a professional CV/cover letter.
It is designed to guide students through the process of developing the dissertation project from the early stages of a) exploring potential subjects and b) securing a supervisor to subsequent stages of c) renegotiating, revising and redefining the research topic and d) outlining and drafting the dissertation.
The module provides skills essential to written and verbal communication in an academic and professional context, including MLA style documentation and citation, outlining, proposal and CV writing, as well as presenting, negotiating and defending a research project.
The mechanics of academically sound writing, scholarly presentation and the use of appropriate resources, methodologies and patterns of organisation are conveyed through workshop exercises, projects and individual research/writing assignments.
By the end of the module, students will have defined a dissertation topic, begun an initial draft of their dissertation in consultation with the supervisor of their choice, and prepared a professional CV/cover letter.
Content
As an indication, seminar topics include the following:
• Making effective use of academic resources
• Assessing primary and secondary sources
• Quoting and paraphrasing
• Considering theoretical approaches
• Establishing and sustaining a thesis
• Outlining and paragraphing
• Negotiating the research project with members of staff
• Articulating career goals
• Identifying transferable skills
• Updating CVs and covering letters
• Making effective use of academic resources
• Assessing primary and secondary sources
• Quoting and paraphrasing
• Considering theoretical approaches
• Establishing and sustaining a thesis
• Outlining and paragraphing
• Negotiating the research project with members of staff
• Articulating career goals
• Identifying transferable skills
• Updating CVs and covering letters
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | N/A |
| Communication | Articulating ideas and stating research aims through seminar discussions, PowerPoint presentation, Dissertation Planner, and Research Proposal. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Managing time/meeting set deadlines, developing proofreading/editing skills. Conducting independent research. |
| Information Technology | Retrieving sources (literature and digital images) from academic research portals and online databases |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Preparing a professional PowerPoint presentation of the research project, outlining its aims and scope and demonstrating its relevance and feasibility. Developing a career profile, articulating career goals and gaining awareness of transferable skills. Composing a CV and covering letter (not assessed). |
| Problem solving | Developing, defining, negotiating and defending a research project in seminar preparation/discussion and individual tutorials. Drafting, editing, and updating manuscripts. Composing a Dissertation Planner to approach and secure a Dissertation Supervisor |
| Research skills | Conducting research (online and in libraries/galleries). Assessing primary and secondary sources. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Although students work on their subject specific proposals in the fields of art history and/or museum studies, the emphasis is on broadly applicable and transferable professional skills. |
| Team work | Participating in workshop activities in writing and editing, as well as in group discussions. Providing/receiving peer feedback. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5