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PHI-30025 - Module Specification
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2024/25 Last Updated: 18 April 2024

PHI-30025 - PHILOSOPHY DISSERTATION - ISP
Coordinator: Jonathan Head Room: CBA2.032 Tel: +44 1782 7 33515
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Completion of core modules at Level 2 in Philosophy OR permission of module convenor

Barred Combinations

N/A

Description for 2024/25

The "Philosophy Dissertation" module will enable you carry out independent research on either a philosopher or a philosophical problem of your choice. You will learn how to set your own title, devise your own research questions and how to write an extended research essay.
The module is assessed as follows:
After a number of seminars on how to design and implement an extended research project, you will have regular meetings with your Dissertation Supervisor. You will submit a 1,500 word portfolio consisting of a research proposal and annotated bibilography as part of the development of your project and finally a 7,500 word dissertation.

Aims
The module aims to develop student's ability to identify a research/dissertation topic, formulate appropriate research questions and find and identify relevant literature and sources. The module also aims to develop student's ability to plan, structure and complete a more substantial piece of independent work than is required for curriculum-based modules.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/phi-30025/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Identify and explain a viable research topic and research question: 1,2
Plan and structure a more substantial piece of
work than is required in curriculum-based modules: 1,2
Communicate effectively an extended argument in writing.: 2
Critically assess the merits and drawbacks of the philosophical positions they discuss.: 2
Identify, analyze and critically discuss the literature relevant to the research question: 1,2

Study hours

5 compulsory seminars on research skills and research design: 5 hours
Student engagement with online resources related to research skills and design (uploaded to module's KLE page): 5 hours
A minimum of 3/4 meetings with Supervisor in semester 1: 4 hours
A minimum of 6 meetings with Supervisor in semester 2: 6 hours
Private study: 280 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Portfolio weighted 15%
1,500 word portfolio
The portfolio will be a maximum of 1,500 words and will consist of three items: 1. The title of dissertation 2. A research plan detailing the research questions that will be addressed in the dissertation. 3. An annotated bibliography

2: Dissertation weighted 85%
7,500 words independent research dissertation
7,500 words independent research dissertation

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 18 April 2024