Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Design and deliver a research project that will generate new insights or pose new questions in a particular area of Victorian studies
Demonstrate critical awareness and understanding of the significant primary and secondary material relevant to this project
Judge the relative merits and impact of competing scholarly interpretations produced on the chosen topic
Present research findings in a clear and structured manner, using the given style for references and bibliography

Content:

Individual students will negotiate topics with the Director of the MA who will allocate them an appropriate tutor. In consultation with this tutor the student will produce an outline research proposal that will include:

i) a suitable title and research question;
ii) a review of the relevant secondary literature;
iii) an assessment of the original sources that are to be used in researching the topic;
iv) detail of the research methodology to be employed, including a short commentary on the form of any databases to be set up as part of the research process;
v) a full bibliography of relevant primary and secondary literature.

After this outline proposal has been approved by a panel from course team, students will proceed to researching and writing the dissertation.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Individual supervision, to include: discussions to set up the project (2 hours); research support (1 hour); discussion of draft and revisions (3 hours). Supervision will take place through a combination of different methods (e.g. face-to-face discussions, e-mail consultations, telephone conversations) as appropriate to the student and the project.

The group session, which might take the form of a Saturday day-school, will be an opportunity for all students currently engaged in writing dissertations to give presentations of their proposed topics for peer discussion and feedback, facilitated by tutor(s).

Individual supervision
Hours: 6

Group session
Hours: 3
Intended group size: 6

Guided independent study
Hours: 591

Assessment:

001 Dissertation; 12,000 words; end of programme 100%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Nathan Uglow
Level - 7
Credit Value - 60
Pre-Requisites - MUST PASS FOR THE AWARD OF MA
Semester(s) Offered - 7PGS2