SO6002 - Social Sciences Dissertation

What will I learn on this module?

This module will provide you will with an opportunity to independently pursue your own piece of research on a criminological or sociological topic of your choice. With the support of a dissertation supervisor, you will seek to develop and answer a research question either by collecting your own data, using existing data sets or by engaging in an analysis of the research literature.

As a result, you will draw on and develop your research skills and on completion of the dissertation module you will be able to demonstrate the following:
• an extensive knowledge of your dissertation topic
• having successfully executed a research project
• an ability to ask and respond to a focused research question
• the capacity to develop a structured and analytical argument
• an aptitude for the use of theory and methodology
• an understanding and experience of the ethical considerations of conducting research.

How will I learn on this module?

On this module you will be supported to learn in three key ways:
i) You will attend workshops delivered by a tutor in your discipline about how to develop and complete a dissertation
ii) You will be allocated a dissertation supervisor who will support you through the process of completing your dissertation
iii) You will also work independently on your dissertation, searching out relevant literature, resources, information and data.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be supported throughout your dissertation by discipline tutors through three interactive workshops with regular opportunities for question and answer sessions and group tutorials during the completion of your research project. In addition you will be able to access one-to-one tutorials with your dissertation supervisor who will guide you through the research process and will support you in the completion of the ethical scrutiny and dissertation. You will be able to arrange supervision session via email, telephone or via a tutorials list on your supervisor’s door.

In addition to your intellectual development, you will receive support from your peers in the classroom, from your module tutor and your dissertation supervisor throughout the module.

If you have any further or specific learning needs then do discuss this with the module leader at the earliest opportunity.


What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. You will develop an extensive knowledge of a particular topic (including an analytical understanding relevant theory and concepts) related to the concerns of your discipline (whether that is criminology and/or sociology).

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

1. You will develop and demonstrate rigorous and robust research skills, including an understanding of ethics in social research.

2. You will develop an ability to understand, evaluate and critique the research of scholars in your discipline.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

1. You will be able to take responsibility for independent learning and enquiry in a subject area related to your own discipline.

How will I be assessed?

There is one component to the summative assessment of this dissertation module:

• Dissertation – 10,000 words (100%).

All MLOs will be assessed in this assessment.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.

Course info

UCAS Code LM39

Credits 40

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years full-time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Social Sciences

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2022 or September 2023

Fee Information

Module Information

Study at Northumbria

All information on this course page is accurate at the time of viewing.

Our Campus based courses starting in 2022 and 2023 will be delivered on-campus with supporting online learning content. We continue to monitor government and local authority guidance in relation to Covid-19 and we are ready and able to adjust the delivery of our education accordingly to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.

On-campus contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with any additional restrictions, which may be imposed by the Government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors. This could potentially mean increased or fully online delivery, should such restrictions on in-person contact time be required.

 

Current, Relevant and Inspiring

We continuously review and improve course content in consultation with our students and employers. To make sure we can inform you of any changes to your course register for updates on the course page.


Your Learning Experience find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions - northumbria.ac.uk/terms
 Fees and Funding - northumbria.ac.uk/fees
 Admissions Policy - northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy
Admissions Complaints Policy - northumbria.ac.uk/complaints