CR6019 - Work Experience Dissertation

You will be supported and will learn in three key ways on this module: (i) you will attend workshops delivered by a lecturer in your discipline about how to do a dissertation (ii) you will be allocated your own dissertation supervisor who will support you through the process of completing your work experience and dissertation (iii) and finally independent learning through searching out relevant literature, resources, information and data.

Developing your ability to reflect informatively and think critically about the process of completing a research project on a focused topic is central to this module. This module will enable you to make informed decisions about how best to complete research – an important employability skill. In addition, you will learn how to apply analytical skills to evaluate existing published research. 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. The module tutor will help you in negotiating suitable work experience. You will also be supported by the Northumbria University Placements team and be required to submit a DBS form.You will also receive mentoring and guidance by practitioners as part of your work experience/volunteering.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. To have an extensive knowledge of a particular topic (including an analytical understanding relevant theory and concepts) related to work experience undertaken within an agency or organisation related to criminal justice/criminology/social policy.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
1. To develop and demonstrate rigorous and robust research skills and a competency for evaluating the research of others.
2. To understand and apply the importance of an ethical approach to research.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
1. To take responsibility for independent learning and enquiry.

There are two summative assessment components to this module:

1. Dissertation 8000 words (70%).
2. Dissertation Presentation (30%).

All MLOs will be assessed in both forms of assessment.

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This work experience dissertation module allows you to gain work experience at the same time as completing the dissertation. You will be involved in volunteering/work experience and link this experience to the dissertation. There are few restrictions around what type of work you can do, and this could be something that you are already engaged in. For instance, the special constable route fits well with this module. The work experience does not need to be around policing but can be anything to do with organisations working with people on the margins of society, or agencies supporting those who leave prison, organisations supporting families of those in prison (these are merely examples). You will be supported by the module leader and the placement team, as well as your dissertation supervisor. The module also offers the opportunity to deliver a presentation which will focus on your learning in the working world compared to learning in the classroom. This will be a self-reflective piece of work. This is an excellent opportunity to engage with work experience whilst completing your dissertation in the final year of study. There is no compulsory number of hours attached to the work experience element of this module.