module
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
ARAM027: MA Dissertation
This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
In Term 1, students are given an introductory lecture by the module leader. Subsequently, they will outline a dissertation topic and will be allocated an MA thesis supervisor. In Term 1 and 2, the pre-requisite ARAM190 Research Methods Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies module introduces students to the requirements and scope of the dissertation, including the dissertation proposal.
In the summer term students will carry out Independent, guided research and writing of the MA dissertation (15,000 words) in consultation with their approved MA thesis supervisors on a research topic chosen by the student, in mutual agreement with his/her MA thesis supervisor. Students will submit drafts of each chapter to their supervisor for correction prior to final submission of the dissertation.
Assessment of the MA dissertation by the supervisor and a qualified second reader will be based on the dissertation's fulfilment of the above-mentioned aims relevant to each student's particular field(s) of study (i.e., mastery of relevant sources, methods, theoretical issues, originality of research, and solidity of presentation), as well as appropriate conformity to all University and field-specific requirements for presentation and referencing in the particular field of the dissertation.
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 593 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 4 hours | 4 hours supervision meetings |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 3 hours | 3 hours (3 meetings) to give academic guidance, including specific feedback on draft work |
| Guided independent study | 593 hours | Independent study |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).