2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MODL3310 Final Year Project: Extended Essay

20 creditsClass Size: 300

Module manager: Stephan Petzold
Email: s.petzold@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2017/18

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module provides students with the opportunity to develop research and writing skills through a dissertation on a topic of their own choice, within the available fields, and refined in consultation with an academic member of staff. The dissertation may be written in either English or, subject to the approval of the Module Leader and project supervisor, the Target Language. Workshops early in the academic year provide the skills training necessary, whereas more specific tuition is provided through one to one supervision with a member of staff.

Objectives

To provide students with the opportunity to carry out a research project in a clearly-defined topic.
To introduce students to core research skills (critical analysis, methodological skills, evaluation of primary and secondary material, accessing library material)
To enhance autonomous learning skills (organisation and self-management of an extended research project)
To allow students to avail of one-to-one supervision with a member of academic staff.
To encourage a capacity for independent analysis, thought and criticism

Learning outcomes
Research
The capacity to gather and select primary data (normally collected independently by the student, but may be derived from a collaborative research project, e.g. one involving the supervisor)
The ability to develop and test hypotheses for the interpretation of the primary data
The ability independently to manage quantities of complex information in a structured and systematic way
The capacity to evaluate critically the data gathered
The capacity to evaluate critically the methodology used

Methodology
Ability to design and execute a research project, using appropriate methodology to address a problem in depth, drawing on appropriate primary and secondary source material
Awareness, as appropriate, of ethical issues in research
Ability to construct a clear, coherent and fluent argument
Ability to present findings in an extended written report, conforming to the academic standards of the discipline with regard to style, conventions for presenting information, and intellectual and academic integrity
Ability to manage time independently, in order to deliver a complex and extended project by an agreed deadline

Subject knowledge
In-depth knowledge of the chosen topic
Ability to engage with the existing literature on the topic in order to situate the research project within the disciplinary field
Ability to summarise and synthesise appropriate information drawn from subject literature to inform analysis of primary data

Syllabus

Semester 1, weeks 1-6: programme of lectures on core research skills
2 30-minute meetings with supervisor per semester

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Supervision Meetings	4	0.50	2.00
Lecture	6	1.00	6.00
Private study hours			192.00
Total Contact hours			8.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students will pursue structured independent research on a chosen topic.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Supervisors will monitor student progress through the scheduled supervision meetings, held early in the first semester, late in the first semester, early in the second semester and mid-way through the spring term. They will also provide written and oral feedback on 2 draft extracts of up to 1,000 words each. This will normally happen at the second and fourth supervision meetings.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	8,000 words	100.00
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: 22/05/2017

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