LIB-30003 - Independent Study Project - Dissertation
Coordinator: David Ballantyne Tel: +44 1782 7 34409
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

N/A

Barred Combinations

N/A

Description for 2024/25

This module represents the culmination of the 3 year degree in Liberal Arts. It provides an exciting opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the interdisciplinary perspectives and approaches used within the Liberal Arts by focusing on a topic/themes/issue/area of your own choosing that reflects your interest and developing specialism. You will be supported throughout by a nominated and dedicated supervisor who will provide support, advice and assistance to help you deliver an extended piece of work.
In all, this module is an important component of your degree. It will allow and encourage you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills through engaging the research process so that you can define, design, and execute your own research project in a chosen area.
This will show prospective employers that you are a skilled and dedicated independent researcher capable of designing, developing and delivering a long term project and can communicate, using a number of means and methods, effectively.
This module is similarly appropriate if you want to remain in education because it will enable you to practice and hone the kinds of independent research skills that are essential in postgraduate education.

Aims
To allow students to identify a specific problem or area of investigation, design and complete a research project and produce an appropriate associated output
To enable students to demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge of the broad spectrum of Liberal Arts approaches to an extended independent research project
To enable students to work independently on a significant piece of work and demonstrate their ability to manage and deliver research project
To be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively
To apply concepts, theories and methods used in the study of the Liberal Arts
To gather, select and organise evidence, data and information from a variety of secondary and/or primary sources
To interpret, analyse and deploy that evidence, data and information
To synthesise relevant information, exercise critical judgement and construct reasoned argument

Intended Learning Outcomes

design a research project from within the broad range of Liberal Arts approaches and perspectives, themes, topics and areas: 1
communicate effectively using written and visual methods: 1
apply a critical and analytical approach to problem solving and the necessary project and time management skills required for the successful delivery of an independent study project: 1
apply concepts and theories and deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively: 1
evaluate and apply appropriate research and/or methodological processes and skills to achieve the aims of the project to gather, select and organise evidence, data and information from a variety of secondary and primary sources: 1

Study hours

Workshops: 6 hours
Presentation session: 2 hours
Individual supervision: 2 hours
Research: 180 hours
Preparation for presentation: 10 hours
Writing plan: 30 hours
Writing dissertation: 55 hours
Polishing and proof-reading: 15 hours

School Rules

Students choose this module or LIB-30002

Description of Module Assessment

1: Research Report weighted 100%
Submission of final project report in the form of a dissertation