Module Information

Module Identifier

AH32020

Module Title

Dissertation

Academic Year

2025/2026

Co-ordinator

Dr Samuel Raybone

Semester

Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)

Pre-Requisite

AH21020

Course Delivery

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment length / details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Dissertation 10000 Words	100%
Supplementary Assessment	Dissertation 10000 Words	100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1) explore a chosen topic in its (art) historical contexts

2) research efficiently using academically viable sources

3) demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the literature in a chosen field

4) establish, sustain and support a clear and focused thesis

5) acknowledge and respond to counter-arguments

6) choose and apply suitable patterns of organization (e.g., chronology, classification)

7) incorporate researched materials through quotations and paraphrases

8) follow a prescribed documentation style (MLA)

9) develop proofreading and editing skills

10) responding effectively to staff feedback

Brief description

This module follows up from AH20920 Dissertation Preparation and Professional Practice for Students of Art History, which guides students through the process of planning a dissertation, from the initial research and review of subject-specific literature to the proposal stage.
Whereas AH20920 is taught in seminar sessions, the Dissertation module is taught as a series of individual tutorials in which students negotiate, shape and finalise their dissertation project with the assistance of their dissertation supervisors.

Content

The Dissertation module enables students to demonstrate independent research by producing a study of approximately four to five times the length of the average undergraduate essay assignment. The topics are chosen by the students and negotiated with their supervisors. The core content is delivered in the pre-requisite module AH20920 Dissertation Preparation and Professional Practice for Students of Art History.

Module Skills

Skills Type	Skills details
Communication	Sustaining an argument, negotiating a research project and responding to staff feedback.
Improving own Learning and Performance	Effective note-taking, debating issues, asking questions and responding to feedback.
Information Technology	Making effective use of IT for research.
Personal Development and Career planning	Demonstrating professionalism, diligence and commitment while carrying out independent research, as well as an ability to negotiate a project, meet deadlines and respond effectively to feedback.
Problem solving	Working out strategies of dealing effectively with unfamiliar, current and emerging research in a timely manner. Negotiating the project with the supervisor.
Research skills	Accessing, assessing and documenting sources relevant to a chosen subject.
Subject Specific Skills	Observing, describing, analysing, interpreting and contextualising primary sources (works of art) using subject-specific secondary sources (theory, criticism, art history).

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6