Module Information
Module Identifier
HY30300
Module Title
Dissertation
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Written dissertation proposal 1500 Words | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Written dissertation 10,000 to 12,000 words, firm | 90% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Written dissertation proposal 1500 Words | 10% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Written dissertation (10,000 to 12,000 words) | 90% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Organise and present a historical argument based on independent research
Develop their ability to manage their time and work to deadlines
Display a critical understanding of relevant historical literature
Produce an extended piece of work to accepted academic standards
Brief description
The first semester of this module provides students with a foundation for the planning and researching of their undergraduate dissertation. During the first semester, students will choose and define their topic, with the guidance of staff members, so that an individual supervisor may be allocated to them. Lectures and workshops will discuss the problems of selecting and refining a subject for study and of locating sources and producing bibliographies. After the end of Session 4, a supervisor will be designated for each student and the remaining sessions in the first semester will take the form of small group meetings with supervisors. Thereafter, students will receive individual supervision meetings as they proceed with the research and writing of the 12,000 dissertation.
Prerequisites: HY20120/HA20120
Prerequisites: HY20120/HA20120
Aims
The Dissertation is an essential core element in the single honours programmes in the Department. It enables students to develop independent research skills, building on their previous learning experience within the Department. This module will guide students through the preparation, planning and writing of such an extended piece of historical writing.
Content
Semester 1
Session 1: Introduction to writing a dissertation (2 hours)
Session 2: Information technology and skills (2 hours)
Session 3: Sources and Research (2 hours)
Session 4: Defining the Topic: a workshop for students to discuss their ideas, in consultation with members of staff (2 hours)
Session 5: Individual meeting with designated supervisor (30 minutes)
Session 6: Sources (2 hours)
Session 7: Historigraphical Matters (2 hours)
Session 8: Planning (2 hours)
Semester 2
2 x 2 hour group sessions, one in Week 2 and one in Week 8, as well as individual meetings with supervisor
Session 1: Introduction to writing a dissertation (2 hours)
Session 2: Information technology and skills (2 hours)
Session 3: Sources and Research (2 hours)
Session 4: Defining the Topic: a workshop for students to discuss their ideas, in consultation with members of staff (2 hours)
Session 5: Individual meeting with designated supervisor (30 minutes)
Session 6: Sources (2 hours)
Session 7: Historigraphical Matters (2 hours)
Session 8: Planning (2 hours)
Semester 2
2 x 2 hour group sessions, one in Week 2 and one in Week 8, as well as individual meetings with supervisor
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | This may be relevant if the dissertation has a particular quantitative or statistical element, for instance on a topic relating to the study of demography or economic history. |
| Communication | This will be developed through discussions in the workshop, seminars and tutorials with other students and the supervisor on potential problems and their solutions, as well as in the writing of such an extended piece of work. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students are expected to organise their work and manage their time in order to meet the deadline for submission. They will also need to reflect critically on their progress in order to formulate their ideas and report to their supervisor. |
| Information Technology | Students will be encouraged to use bibliographical and search databases and to locate suitable material on the web in order to apply it appropriately to their own work, as well as word-processing their work. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The module will develop an awareness of personal skills and qualities, along with a direct experience of planning and presenting a piece of historical work which may be of use for a future career. |
| Problem solving | Identify problems and factors which might influence potential solutions; develop creative thinking approaches to problem solving; evaluate advantages and disadvantages of potential solutions. |
| Research skills | The dissertation will be based on original, independent research and the development of effective research skills are an essential element of the module. |
| Subject Specific Skills | The module will develop the students¿ skills in producing a substantial piece of work, demonstrating a familiarity will the historical context and an awareness of the publishing conventions for the discipline. |
| Team work |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6