LW3A50B-Dissertation II (ERASMUS students)

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 15 [7.5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: only available to ERASMUS students
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Steve Samuel
Email: s.samuel@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
A dissertation provides the opportunity to undertake independent study of an area agreed with an appropriate supervisor.

Aims:
This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to write a major piece of work, the research for which has been undertaken by private study:

15-week visitor may present a piece of work up to 9,000 words for 7.5 credits

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that a student will:

• have a detailed knowledge of the topic of the dissertation;

and will be able to:

• critically analyse and evaluate the topic;
• place the subject matter of the dissertation within a wider legal and/or socio-political context;
• access, take advantage of, and critically use different sources of research;
• evaluate the objectivity and relevance of different sources of research;
• construct an argument that can be sustained through a work of such length;
• use a recognised citation style;
• present the dissertation in a manner that is clear, logical and well-written.

Additional outcomes:
The module aims to develop information technology, word processing and research skills. Writing a dissertation provides students with an opportunity to use and develop the numerous legal and other skills that they already possess.

Outline content:
Not Applicable

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Before the work on the dissertation is commenced, the student must provide the Module Convenor with written details of the title, the name of the supervisor and the agreed submission date. The Module Convenor's written approval is required before work on the dissertation is commenced.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Project Supervision	1	1
Guided independent study:	49	24
Total hours by term	50	25
Total hours for module	150

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Dissertation	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Dissertation of 9,000 including footnotes and endnotes but excluding declaration, table of contents, bibliography and the abstract. An electronic disk copy should be made available immediately on request. The dissertation to be submitted to the supervisor by the date agreed when the supervisor approved the title of the dissertation.

On agreement with Erasmus Coordinator, arrangements similar to the Autumn term could be made for one of the other academic terms.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40%.

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-submission of dissertation.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022