Download MODULE DETAILS Module title Dissertation Module code LM394

MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
MODULE DETAILS
Module title
Module code
Credit value
Level
Mark the box to the right of the
appropriate level with an ‘X’
Dissertation
LM394
40 Credits
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6 X
Level 0 (for modules at foundation level)
Level 7
Level 8
Entry criteria for registration on this module
Pre-requisites
n/a
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Co-requisite modules
n/a
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Module delivery
Mode of delivery
Taught
Other
Distance
Placement
Online
Independent research & project management
supported by supervision.
Weekly
X
Block
Other
Pattern of delivery
Semester 1
Semester 2
Throughout year X
When module is
Other
delivered
Brief description of
module content and/ or This module requires students to engage in the identification
of a research problem relating to the media studies degree
aims
Overview (max 80 words)
course curriculum. Students then engage in the systematic
and organised planning, design and implementation of the
research project. Students are required to manage their
research project effectively throughout the project lifecycle.
Module team/ author/
coordinator(s)
School
Site/ campus where
delivered
Dr Peter Day (author) personal tutors (team)
Art, Design & Media
Watts/Moulsecoomb
Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course
Course
Media Studies BA (Hons)
Environment and Media Studies BA (Hons)
Status (mandatory/
compulsory/ optional)
Mandatory
Compulsory
MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
This module aims to;
Aims

To require students to design, implement and deliver
an independent and sustained investigative study
into an approved aspect of media studies.

Learning outcomes
To offer an opportunity for such an independent
piece of work to draw from, consolidate and
synthesise knowledge and skills, acquired from the
taught course.
On successful completion of the module the student
will be able to:
1. Experience the process of planning and undertaking
a sustained and independent piece of work to BA
(Hons) standard.
2. Experience the processes of conducting an
extensive literature search and writing up a critical
literature review.
3. Work independently and extensively in an area of
academic and professional relevance involving
synthesis extending beyond the taught elements of
the course.
4. Exercise powers of formulation, planning,
organisation, analysis and critical thought in the
design, implementation and presentation of a
research project.
5. Complete a structured dissertation of 10, 000 words
presenting the results of the investigation.
Content
This module requires students to engage in the
identification of a research problem relating to the media
studies degree course curriculum. Students then engage in
the systematic and organised planning, design and
implementation of the research project.
As part of this module, students are required to conduct an
effective literature search of published knowledge
appropriate to their chosen research topic and conduct a
critical review of this literature citing sources using the
Harvard Citation system.
As part of the project design students are required select,
justify and implement methods of data collection and
analysis that will enable them to address their research
problem and achieve their stated aims and objectives by
drawing conclusions from the analysis and discussion of
the evidence.
Students are required to manage their research project
effectively throughout the project lifecycle.
Learning support
This module will be supported via Studentcentral and
printed and audio-visual texts held in the library.
Indicative readings:
Anderson, J. 2012. Media Research Methods. London:
Sage.
Bell, J. 1999. Doing your research project. 3rd ed. Milton
Keynes: Buckingham.
Berger, A. 1998. Media analysis techniques. 2nd ed.
London: Sage.
British Standards Institution. 1990. BS 5605: Citing and
referencing published material, London: BSI.
Bryman, A. 2000 Social Research Methods. Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
Gunter, B. 2000. Media Research Methods. London:
Sage.
Hansen, A & Machin, D. 2013. Media and
Communication Research Methods. London: Palgrave
Seale, C. (ed). 1998. Researching Society and Culture.
London: Sage.
Stokes, J. 2003. How to do Media & Cultural Studies.
London: Sage.
Williams, F et al. 1998. Research Methods and the New
Media. New York: Free Press.
University Disability Service
The University's Disability Service is responsible for
supporting students with disabilities and dyslexia to gain
individual support, and for liaising with other university
departments in relation to access to buildings, teaching
and assessments on the students’ behalf.
Teaching and learning activities
Details of teaching
and learning activities
The Dissertation is designed, implemented and delivered
by the student under the tutorial guidance of an academic
supervisor allocated from among the staff. The subject
must be chosen with the help of personal and academic
tutors and approved by them. Students are expected to
select their dissertation topic before the end of level 2 in
conjunction with the prerequisite module on Research
Methodology, so as to enable preliminary self-directed
study during the summer vacation.
Any proposed methodology which implies contact with
organisations or individuals outside the University (by letter
or telephone, or through interviews, questionnaires or
surveys) must be approved in advance by the dissertation
supervisor. The summer vacation after completing the
Research Methods & Methodology module is to be used by
all students for preparatory work, searching, reading and
developing necessary research skills.
Students arrange a programme of tutorials with their
supervisors to support the various stages of the
development of the design, implementation, monitoring and
delivery of the dissertation. To assist in the monitoring
process students are required to:
1. Maintain a diary of meetings with the supervisor for
inclusion as an appendix in the dissertation.
2. Submit an interim report of progress and planned
further work.
Allocation of study hours (indicative)
Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours
This is an indication of the number of hours
SCHEDULED
students can expect to spend in scheduled
teaching activities, tutorials & project
supervision.
Study
hours
6
GUIDED
INDEPENDENT
STUDY
394
All students are expected to undertake guided
independent study which includes wider
reading/ practice, follow-up work, the
completion of assessment tasks, and
revisions.
PLACEMENT
The placement is a specific type of learning
away from the University that is not workbased learning or a year abroad.
0
TOTAL STUDY HOURS 400
Assessment tasks
Details of assessment
for this module
The module will be assessed by means of a:
1. 2500-3000 word interim report [LO 1, 2 & 3]
2. 10, 000 word dissertation [LO 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5]
Types of assessment task1
Indicative list of summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of
credit or which are required for progression.
WRITTEN
Written exam
COURSEWORK
Written assignment/ essay, report, dissertation, portfolio,
project output, set exercise
PRACTICAL
%
weighting
(or indicate
if
component
is pass/fail)
100%
Oral assessment and presentation, practical skills
assessment, set exercise
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Media Studies (Watts)
Area examination
board
External examiners
1
Set exercises, which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included
under the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task.
Name
Position and institution
Date
appointed
Dr Sanna Inthorn
Senior Lecturer, University
of East Anglia
01/09/2011
Date
tenure
ends
30/09/2018
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Jan 1998
Date of first approval
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of last revision
July 2009
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of approval for
this version
Version number
Modules replaced
Q&S Approved Virtual UCC June 2016
3.1
LM390
Specify codes of modules for which
this is a replacement
Available as free-standing module?
Yes
No
X