2015/16 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ENGL3022 English Language Dissertation

40 creditsClass Size: 50

School of English

Module manager: Professor Tony Crowley
Email: t.crowley@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

Pre-requisite qualifications

Submission of approved proposal to module coordinator by 12 noon on Friday, 24 April 2015.

Please note: This module is restricted to Level 3 students.
Students wishing to take this module as an option must have passed a level 1 introductory module in language study in the School of English or another department (such modules include 'English Structure and Style', ‘Language, Text and Context’, a level 1 module in Linguistics and Phonetics, or similar modules in other departments in Modern Languages). Students must also have passed two level 2 modules in language study (in the School of English and in other departments such as Linguistics and Phonetics) and will ideally have shown a commitment to English language studies that prepares them for the proposed dissertation. If any student is uncertain about whether they meet the prerequisite requirements, they should consult the module coordinator.

Module replaces

ENGL3021

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

The dissertation provides students with the opportunity to plan, design and execute an independent piece of research related to the study of the English language, self-directed and with appropriate time-management.

Learning outcomes
Students should have developed abilities to:
- develop a topic;
- make and test hypotheses;
- choose a relevant methodology;
- construct a coherent argument;
- abstract and synthesise information;
- critically evaluate evidence and / or data;
- write in an appropriate style.

Skills outcomes
The ability to analyse the English language using appropriate/relevant critical, theoretical, historical and methodological approaches

Syllabus

The dissertation allows students to develop and follow individual intellectual interests, to gain experience of research in English language and to work in a small research-focused group, directed by an appropriate member of staff.

The module is delivered through a combination of lectures, small-group student- and tutor-led seminars and individual tutorials with staff. Once proposals are submitted and accepted students are allocated in equal groups to the English Language tutors, who provide regular support and guidance as supervisors (note that a student may or may not have the same supervisor in semester 2 as in semester 1).

There will be 4 lectures, 4 seminars and 8 individual meetings with the supervisor. These same student groups will meet together in student-led workshops (3 per semester) in which they discuss issues arising from their work; minutes from these workshops will be returned to the group tutors.

Other tutors may offer specialist guidance, if the supervisor thinks this is required.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	6	1.00	6.00
Meetings	8	1.00	8.00
Lecture	4	1.00	4.00
Seminar	4	1.00	4.00
Private study hours			384.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			406.00

Private study

Students will be expected to undertake significant research independently, including such things as, for example:
- collecting data,
- managing data,
- transcribing data,
- doing fieldwork (semester 1);
- engaging in self-directed reading and writing and data analysis (semester 2);
- engaging in self-directed reading and using the library and online resources (throughout).

These activities will account for the vast majority of hours of study for this module.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Production of minutes for student-led seminars;
Supervision log;
- Production of 3 pieces of unassessed writing, one of 500 words due in the middle of semester 1, one of 2,000 words due towards the end of semester 1, and another of 2,000 words due at the published time before the Easter vacation in semester 2;
- A poster draft produced in mid semester 2 and then revised for assessment at a poster session before the Easter vacation in semester 2
- Exact dates of progress milestones will be published at the start of the module.
- Individual tutorials at regular intervals throughout the time.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay or Dissertation	8,000 words	80.00
Poster Presentation	Poster to be produced using PowerPoint	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 22/04/2015

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