LWMHDI-Research Dissertation (Legal History)

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 90 [45 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Charlotte Smith
Email: C.L.Smith@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
Students taking this module will undertake supervised independent research and write a 20,000 word research dissertation on a topic agreed with the Programme Director and Research Dissertation Supervisor.

Aims:
The aim of this module is to develop high-level skills in research design, management and implementation through conduct of a major independent research project and writing of the 20,000 word research dissertation.

Assessable learning outcomes:
After completing the module, students 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, historical and/or socio-political context;
£ access, take advantage of, and critically use different sources of legal historical 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:
It is also expected that students will be able:
£ to develop personal responsibility and initiative in planning, managing and executing a major research project professionally;
£ to make decisions during unforeseen and complex situations as the research progresses and develop self-reliance and -direction in addressing and solving problems.

Outline content:
Students will research and write a 20,000 word research dissertation. The title of the dissertation must be agreed with the proposed supervisor and with the Programme Director.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Teaching and learning takes the form of regular supervision at times agreed by the student and their supervisor.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Project Supervision	2	2	3
Guided independent study:	297	297	299
Total hours by term	299	299	302
Total hours for module	900

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Dissertation	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Dissertation of not more than 20,000 words including footnotes and/or endnotes but excluding declaration, table of contents, bibliography and the abstract, formatted in accordance with the rules as set out in the Regulations for LLM Dissertations in the Postgraduate School Guide 2005-2006. An electronic disk copy should be made available immediately on request.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
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:
50% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
As for the original assessment, but a mark in a passed element can be carried forward.

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