Module: RPE6000-40 Dissertation

Credit Value: 40

Module Tutor: Sarah Flavel

Module Tutor Contact Details: s.flavel@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module gives you an opportunity to address a particular question in philosophy and ethics or study an aspect of religions in more length and depth than is possible in other modules. It offers guidance for this independent piece of research and writing in the form of group sessions with the module co-ordinator and other staff covering theoretical, methodological and technical subjects and individual sessions with your supervisor discussing the nature, focus and direction of your individual research. Feedback is provided in respect of research planning (formative) and presentation of progress (summative) as well as comments on the dissertation in draft form as agreed with your supervisor. In so doing, the dissertation allows you to develop your knowledge and understanding of a particular area of enquiry together with the associated academic literature and scholarly debates and to demonstrate self-motivation, personal initiative and time management. A demanding but rewarding experience, a dissertation is often regarded as the culmination of your studies where you draw upon the academic and other skills you have acquired throughout the programme to produce a mature piece of work that reflects your interests and concerns. For this reason, a dissertation is important whether you plan to undertake further study or enter the job market.

It aims to:

• Enable you to produce a sustained piece of academic writing to professional standards and thus enhance skills necessary to postgraduate study and graduate employment;

• Support you to research a subject of your choice (agreed with the module co-ordinator) within the study of religions, philosophy and ethics;

• Assist you to identify and exploit available sources of information;

• Equip you to develop a sustained and systematic piece of argument and analysis in answering your chosen question; and

• Prepare you to apply theory and method in researching your chosen subject.

2.Outline syllabus:

Group workshops will deal with generic topics such as understanding the research process, getting started, setting a question, finding sources, writing up research, and referencing. Other workshops will deal with more subject specific issues such as, in philosophy and ethics, advancing an argument, being analytical, avoiding inconsistency and incoherence, and assessing counterarguments and, in study of religions, doing a literature review, analysing data, integrating theory and method, and research ethics. A number of group workshops will be dedicated to preparation for and delivery of the research presentations with some slots available to deal with specific issues, problems and queries.

Individual tutorials will concentrate on the subject-specific aspects of the research proposal and research presentation and then on the dissertation in draft.

3.Teaching and learning activities:

Learning is facilitated by two- hour group workshops dealing with generic and subject-specific issues supplemented by specialist individual tutorial supervision. You are expected to prepare for and participate in workshops as well as working with your supervisor throughout the semester. You are responsible for arranging regular tutorials with your allocated supervisor.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Research Presentation including peer feedback (2,000 words equivalent)

• % Weighting: 20%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Dissertation (8,000 words)

• % Weighting: 80%