ETH-40041 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

This is the dissertation module for the MA in Medical Ethics and Law and the MA in Medical Ethics and Palliative Care. It consists of independent supervised study leading to the production of a 15,000 to 20,000-word dissertation on a topic relevant to the programme on which the student is registered. Students attend a one-day Research Methods Workshop in Semester 1 and a Presentation Day in Semester 2 and receive feedback on a plan, sample chapter and annotated table of contents. No primary empirical research is undertaken for this module.

The module provides the opportunity for students to use and extend the knowledge and skills acquired during their programme of study. Using appropriate research methodologies, students will critically synthesise a body of knowledge relevant to the taught programme. The dissertation offers students an opportunity to develop basic research skills to the level at which a competent piece of work at Masters level can be undertaken. A student achieving pass level in the dissertation should be equipped for independent research at a higher level.

Intended Learning Outcomes

formulate an original research question relating to a topic in medical ethics and/or law, to be answered based on a critical evaluation of existing knowledge, current research and advanced scholarship in the disciplines;: 1
undertake research that analyses and evaluates ethical and/or legal materials, and demonstrates critical understanding of the concepts, principles and theories contained therein, and their relevance to the research question;: 1
synthesise findings into a logical argument that explicitly addresses the research question, and defend the argument against foreseeable criticisms,: 1
communicate complex issues and arguments in a clear and structured manner;: 1
employ appropriate academic conventions regarding citation and referencing.: 1
identify literature and legal materials relevant to the topic, including publications based on current research and advanced scholarship;: 1

Study hours

6 hours - Study skills seminars/workshops
4 hours - Student presentations of work in progress.
4 hours - Meetings & communications with supervisor (face-to-face or via electronic communication)
10 hours - Reviewing supervisor's comments
40 hours - Selection of topic and writing/revising of dissertation plan
220 hours - Literature search and reading
300 hours - Writing and revising draft chapters and annotated table of contents
16 hours - Preparation of final submission including formatting, preparation of abstract, table of contents, bibliography, proofreading

School Rules

Students must be enrolled on the MA Medical Ethics and Law or the MA in Medical Ethics and Palliative Care. They may begin preparatory work on the dissertation during the taught part of their programme but cannot be awarded credits for the dissertation until they have completed and passed all the taught modules.

Description of Module Assessment