LAW-30083 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

This is your chance to pursue, in depth, an area of academic interest by developing your own research question and undertaking the necessary research.
This two-semester module requires you to complete an extended piece of supervised research over an entire academic year and concludes with the submission of a dissertation. Although you will be supported by a member of academic staff whose interests and expertise relate to your agreed topic, this module requires real self discipline to undertake it successfully. You will be required to demonstrate independence of thought and action. This does not mean, however, that a dissertation needs to be a lonely task. You will be encouraged to participate in a number of events designed to support the community of students undertaking this module, and to help them support each other.
Please ensure that you have read the Module Handbook and completed the application process set out in the Handbook before selecting this module. Proposed titles are subject to the approval of the External Examiner.

This module provides students with an opportunity to devise and undertake their own extended research project, under the guidance of a supervisor. Students undertaking this module will have the opportunity to develop and demonstrate skills in ways not normally tested by taught modules, including the ability to:
a) organise their own work over several months;
b) locate (with guidance where appropriate) essential material;
c) organise a large amount of material on a single topic or theme;
d) make use, where appropriate, of the inter-disciplinary nature of the Keele degree programme; and
e) communicate clearly and effectively in an extended piece of written work.

Intended Learning Outcomes

create and pursue a viable research question to a successful conclusion: 2
produce a substantial, coherent and persuasive piece of self-directed work: 2
identify and apply an acceptable research methodology in the social sciences: 2

Study hours

Workshops, including methodology and work in progress: 12 hours
Individual supervision: 16 hours
Self-directed reading, proposal and dissertation preparation = 272 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment