LIB-30003 - Module Specification
School of Social, Political and Global Studies
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

N/A

Barred Combinations

N/A

Description for 2020/21

This module represents the culmination of the 3 year degree in Liberal Arts.
It provides an exciting opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the interdisciplinary perspectives and approaches used within the Liberal Arts by focusing on a topic/themes/issue/ area of your own choosing that reflects your interest and developing specialism.
You can do this by devising and designing a research project using research methodologies introduced in the programme and submit a 10,000 word dissertation
You will be supported throughout by a nominated and dedicated supervisor who will provide support, advice and assistance to help you deliver an extended piece of work that we will ask you to showcase at an end of year conference presentation.
In all, this module is an important component of your degree. It will allow and encourage you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills through engaging the research process so that you can define, design, and execute your own research project in a chosen area.
This will show prospective employers that you are a skilled and dedicated independent researcher capable of designing, developing and delivering a long term project and can communicate, using a number of means and methods, effectively.
This module is similarly appropriate if you want to remain in education because it will enable you to practice and hone the kinds of independent research skills that are essential in postgraduate education.

To allow students to identify a specific problem or area of investigation, design and complete a research project and produce an appropriate associated output.
To enable students to demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge of the broad spectrum of Liberal Arts approaches to an extended independent research project.
To enable students to work independently on a significant piece of work and demonstrate their ability to manage and deliver research project
To be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively
To apply concepts, theories and methods used in the study of the Liberal Arts
To gather, select and organise evidence, data and information from a variety of secondary and/or primary sources
To interpret, analyse and deploy that evidence, data and information
To synthesise relevant information, exercise critical judgement and construct reasoned argument

Intended Learning Outcomes

design a research project from within the broad range of Liberal Arts approaches and perspectives, themes, topics and areas; will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
evaluate and apply appropriate research and/or methodological processes and skills to achieve the aims of the project to gather, select and organise evidence, data and information from a variety of secondary and primary sources; will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
communicate effectively using written, oral and visual methods both in the research report and in the conference presentation; will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
apply a critical and analytical approach to problem solving and the necessary project and time management skills required for the successful delivery of an independent study project; will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
apply concepts and theories and deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively. will be achieved by assessments: 1,2

Study hours

A 'summer school' will be organised following the end of year 2/level 5 over 3 days in which the final year project will be introduced to students. Sessions/workshops on various aspects of the ISP will be introduced (research design, ethics, supervision, planning and structure, literature review, writing and presenting, etc.) In total 3 x 6 hours = 18
A series of workshops (5 x 2 hours) delivered at beginning of Sem 1 to provide information, facilitate planning, research design, complete the ethics approval process, etc. 2 similar workshops will be organised at the start of Sem 2 to check on progress and provide programme support, advice and information additional to supervision. (2 x 2 hours)
Total = 7 x 2 = 14
20 hours of face to face and electronic supervision, feedback etc. is planned to provide expert advice and support.
The remaining independent study hours are made up from:
148 hours research
100 hours write up
TOTAL - 300

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment