The placement-based dissertation is designed to appeal to: (a) students who have already begun their careers, and for whom this is a return to studying after considerable time in employment; and (b) students wishing to enhance their employability by making links within different professions.
The aim of this module is to provide an alternative to the more traditional dissertation route. The module focuses on practical rather than academic skills, which will complement the academic courses on offer across the rest of the MA. programme The module is designed for students who have a clear idea of the areas in which they wish to work, and will therefore enable those students to develop and hone skills relevant to their career paths.
The module leader will ensure that proposed placements are appropriate and act as a point of liaison between the university, students on the module and their places of placement should any issues arise, and for ensuring compliance with the University’s Code of Practice on Placement Learning in general.
Placements are approved on a case by case basis and are subject to restrictions in terms of appropriateness within the subject area, the relevant professional and academic qualifications of the student, and the availability of academic staff.
The choice of Placement host, topic and mode of assessment must be approved by the Dissertation tutor in liaison with the relevant Programme Director.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Work independently, taking responsibility for the progress, content, and presentation of a piece of individual research or output connected to their Placement experience (Method of Summative Assessment A and B);
Demonstrate detailed knowledge of, and critical engagement with, the relevant primary and secondary literature in a particular field of study; (Method of Summative Assessment A, and B (if appropriate to the project/resource being created);
Describe and employ a research methodology appropriate to the subject matter, including an awareness of research ethics; (Method of Summative Assessment A, and B (if appropriate to the output being created);
Present an extended piece of research in an appropriate manner, e.g. in terms of structure and organisation, referencing, etc. (Method of Summative Assessment A);
Demonstrate the ability to relate theory to practice, showing how knowledge gained in other academic modules applies and influences their work on Placement. (Method of Summative Assessment B);
Demonstrate effective time management, ensuring that they fulfil the requirements of the Placement as agreed by the host institution in conjunction with the Programme Lead, and that all interim and final deadlines are met (Method of Summative Assessment A and B);
(if relevant) Demonstrate how their professional and practical practice has been developed and enhanced by the placement (Method of Summative Assessment A and B).
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions
Assessment: Completion of 100 hours on Placement + either (a) a 10,000 word dissertation critically analysing and evaluating reflecting on an aspect of the approach and/or work of the institution hosting the Placement. OR (b) write a report or conduct a piece of relevant research, or produce another form of media output for the Placement host.
Reassessment: (a) If the 100 hours on placement has been completed but the written component failed, reassessment would be as above; (b) If the placement has not been completed or it is not feasible to complete the hours on placement, then registration would be switched to the LM Dissertation with assessment via a 15,000 word dissertation.
