module specification

SS6P02 - Sociology Dissertation (2024/25)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2024/25
Module title Sociology Dissertation
Module level Honours (06)
Credit rating for module 30
School School of Social Sciences and Professions
Total study hours 300
 
27 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
273 hours Guided independent study
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Coursework 100%   Dissertation 8,000 words
Running in 2024/25

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)
Period Campus Day Time Module Leader
Year North Tuesday Afternoon

Module summary

Drawing on the knowledge, research and analytical skills gained throughout their programme of study, students in this module produce a dissertation on a sociological topic of their choice. With guidance from their supervisor and module lecturers, students devise their own research project, plan a course of action, conduct in-depth research, review and critically analyse literature and data, culminating in an 8000 word document.

Prior learning requirements

None

Available for Study Abroad? No

Syllabus

This module will focus on the following key subjects:

  • Identifying research topic and question
  • Doing a literature search
  • Writing a literature review
  • Sociological theory
  • Research design and methods
  • Analysing the Data
  • Writing-up the Dissertation

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

In the first term of this module workshops and tutorials will provide the students with guidance on doing their dissertation and give them opportunities to discuss progress. Students will be allocated supervisors based on their research and scholarship expertise in a particular topic. The students will be required to present their project proposal at the end of the term. Early in their project, students will also have a session with their subject librarian who will advise then on best methods for searching for relevant literature and sources. In the second term they will mostly work independently, supported by their supervisors.

This module will be supported with relevant WebLearn pages where all lecture recordings, lecture and workshop notes, relevant literature, and other sources will be available.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

  1. Identify an area or theme worthy of sociological enquiry
  2. Use theoretical and empirical knowledge, research and analytical skills gained in their course of study to investigate an area and formulate a dissertation
  3. Undertake a literature search and review.
  4. Make a critical analysis of an area or theme under investigation with particular attention being paid to the theoretical and methodological components of the analysis
  5. Write a well-presented piece of work in the conventional academic format using documented sources

Bibliography