Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LH Dissertation
School	History and Cultures
Department	African Studies & Anthropology
Module Code	09 23603
Module Lead	Dr Kate Skinner
Level	Honours Level
Credits	40
Semester	Full Term
Pre-requisites	LI Research in Practice - (09 33702)
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Tutorial-2 hours Project supervision-3 hours Practical Classes and workshops-6 hours Guided independent study-389 hours Total: 400 hours
Exclusions
Description	In this module, students will identify a topic that is of interest to them and which is appropriate to their chosen degree subject. (e.g. an anthropological topic for those taking JH Anthropology programmes or SH Archaeology and Anthropology, and a development studies topic for students taking African Studies with Development). Students will plan and execute work that results in a dissertation of 10,000 words. The dissertation represents the culmination of the enquiry-based learning that has been developed in the course of the degree programmes, and students are therefore required to demonstrate learner independence. The successful completion of a dissertation will allow students to demonstrate the following skills which are transferable to employment or further study: Project planning Time management Information selection, retrieval and storage (using ICT where appropriate) Responding positively to feedback Written communication Editing and presenting a substantial piece of work (using ICT where appropriate). A framework is in place to support students through this process. Students should attend a preparatory meeting at the start of the year; present work-in-progress to their peers at one of the two workshops; and schedule up to six individual meetings with their supervisor.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Identify and justify a methodological framework (whether single- and multi-disciplinary) appropriate to their chosen topic. Identify sources of information through bibliographic searches and apply a system of academic referencing with consistency and accuracy. Critically analyse the available literature, demonstrating an understanding of relevant concepts or theories, and evaluating methods for gathering further information /evidence /data at first hand, where this is appropriate to the topic. Communicate their findings in 10,000 words of coherent prose, supported by images /diagrams /graphs where appropriate, and identifying potential applications or implications of their findings, where appropriate to the topic.
Assessment	23603-01 : 10000 word dissertation : Dissertation (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: One dissertation of 10,000 words, excluding bibliography and appendix Reassessment: Resubmission of failed component(s)
Other
Reading List