Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
formulate a research proposal, appropriate to an 8,000-word essay, which defines their intended research area and shows the scope of the project;
demonstrate understanding and appropriate research skills (including use of both library and internet resources) in handling a range of primary and secondary material relevant to the research area and topic;
demonstrate critical awareness and understanding of the theological concepts and the issues arising from discussion of the topic;
Produce a piece of coherently argued writing, supported by appropriate scholarly apparatus, making a valid contribution to critical debate on the topic.

Content:

Students will define a topic of their choice, in consultation with an appointed member of the TRS teaching staff; formulate a proposal; conduct a detailed investigation of the topic, under the supervision of the appointed member of staff; and complete a critical essay on the topic, appropriately presented and supported by scholarly apparatus. Students be introduced to a range of research methods, including fieldwork, and to questions in research ethics appropriate to their topic.

Learning and Teaching Information:

During Semester 1 and 2 there will be four one-hour workshops for the whole group on how to carry out research, prepare a research proposal, and write a long essay. After that there will be a number of short supervisions leading to a discussion of the draft essay before submission.

Workshops
Contact hours: 10
Intended Group size: 35

Tutorials
Contact hours: 3
Intended Group size: 1

Guided independent study
Hours 387

Further details relating to assessment
It is essential to the module that students submit a 500-word proposal, outlining the topic and scope of the dissertation, before the end of Semester 1. The proposal will be marked to provide formative feedback.