2016/17 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG5270M Dissertation for Global Urban Justice

60 creditsClass Size: 25

Module manager: Sara Gonzalez
Email: s.gonzalez@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2016/17

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module provides students with the opportunity to bring the theoretical and methodological foundations of the course together by producing their own written research on a question or topic of global urban justice. The main assignment is a 10,000 word academic thesis. This will be supplemented by a short ‘public-facing’ piece of writing designed to communicate the main findings in an accessible and relevant way. The main purpose is independent research design, management and execution, but the module features a series of taught sessions at the beginning of semester 2, non-assessed progress reports and monthly supervision meetings with a member of the course team;

Objectives

The module aims to enable students to:

-execute an independent and original piece of work on the theme of Global Urban Justice;
-demonstrate a broad and detailed understanding of the contribution of the work of scholars from a range of disciplines to the topic of global urban justice;
-identify and apply the conceptual understandings and practical research skills necessary for undertaking a thorough and coherent exploration of their chosen topic;
-collect original data through fieldwork or other research methods with due regard to health and safety requirements and ethical considerations;
-demonstrate the ability to locate their own original investigations within wider concerns of the programme;
-complete a major piece of work independently (under supervision).

Learning outcomes
- Show the ability to execute independently a sustained and original piece of work built around programme themes;
- demonstrate a broad and detailed understanding of the contribution of the work of scholars from a range of disciplines to the topic of global urban justice
- show the ability to identify and apply the conceptual understandings and practical research skills necessary for the thorough and coherent exploration of their chosen topic;
- Collect original data through fieldwork or other research methods with due regard to health and safe requerements and ethical consideration.
- demonstrate the ability to locate their own original investigations within wider concerns of the programme;
- Complete a major piece of work independently (under supervision)

Skills outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding:
1)The dynamic nature of global urban justice and the inter-relationships between the discipline and the social sciences.

Cognitive skills:
2) Abstraction and synthesis of information from a variety of sources
3) Assessment and critical evaluation of the merits of contrasting theories, explanations, policies
4) Critical analysis and interpretation of data and text
5) Developing reasoned arguments.

Practical/professional skills:
6) Plan, design, execute and report research independently
7) Undertake effective field study (with due regard for safety and risk assessment)
8) Collect, interpret and synthesise different types of quantitative and qualitative data
9) Recognise the ethical issues involved in geographical debates and enquiries.

Key skills:
10) Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and through graphical presentations)
11) Identify, retrieve, sort and exchange information using a wide range of sources
12) Put in dialogue general and abstract concepts from theory with empirical findings.
13) Manage time and organise work effectively.

Syllabus

Students follow an individual programme of original research under the guidance of a staff member appointed as their supervisor.
There will also be workshops with the dissertation convenor general topics such as: dissertation design and research questions, health and safety and ethics of research.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	4	2.00	8.00
Meetings	5	1.00	5.00
Group learning	4	1.00	4.00
Private study hours			583.00
Total Contact hours			17.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			600.00

Private study

583 hours of private study under supervision from a tutor will consist of: reading and reviewing theoretical and research methods literature, preparing and planning fieldwork, conducting fieldwork (such as participant observation, interviews or group discussions), analysis of collected data and writing up of the dissertation and a non-academic short piece

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Through periodic meetings with personal tutor and dissertation convenor. The dissertation convenor with inputs from the programme manager will also monitor all fieldwork engagements.
Through a non-assessed dissertation research proposal to be set at the beginning of Semester 2 and discussed at one of the workshops and with the personal tutor.
Through peer-review of progress.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay or Dissertation	10,000 words due 1st September	80.00
Essay	2,000 words “public facing” accessible short article due 1st September	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

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 24/06/2015

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD