Teaching Responsibility
LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:
LJMU Partner Taught
Learning Methods
Seminar
Tutorial
Module Offerings
6500BEASOC-SEP-PAR
Aims
1. To study a topic of students’ particular interest through self-directed study under the guidance of a supervisor.
2. To use the research skills and concepts introduced in years one and two to conduct an independent, longitudinal research project and to present it in an appropriate style.
3. To analyse and interpret a body of knowledge in a manner conforming to the standards of research and scholarship in sociology.
Learning Outcomes
1.
Formulate a viable research question in sociology and extensive literature search appropriate for a Level 6 dissertation.
2.
Demonstrate an ability to organise and plan research effectively and independently over a limited period of time.
3.
Demonstrate the ability to successfully complete a substantial piece of academic written work.
4.
Demonstrate an ability to communicate ideas in an appropriate written format that conforms to the conventions of academic writing.
Module Content
Outline Syllabus:This module involves self-directed study under the guidance of a supervisor and module leader. Supervision will be by a combination of group and individual sessions:
• Individual supervision meetings (bi/tri-weekly) with allocated supervisor
• Group sessions will involve two three-hour seminars per semester, led by the module leader, covering the following topics:
o The nature of a sociology dissertation
o Advanced literature search and research skills
o Refining research design and questions
o Assessing feasibility and planning
o Ethics
o Project management
o Information and data collection and presentation
o Structuring and writing up a dissertation
Additional Information:This module provides students with an opportunity to develop their own sociological specialism by conducting an extended, in-depth study on a freely chosen topic in sociology. Students will plan and design an extended piece of academic work and present the completed work as a written dissertation, whilst demonstrating a detailed and critical understanding of a relevant field of sociological enquiry. Students will be supported through group seminars to successfully complete the dissertation, and will work with a staff supervisor to develop a critical understanding of their research topic.
Assessments
Dissertation