CL3DIS: Dissertation in Classics

Module code: CL3DIS

Module provider: Classics; School of Humanities

Credits: 40

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Summer / Semester 1 / Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Tim Penn, email: tim.penn@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE CL3IPR (Compulsory)

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 9 July 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This dissertation should allow for in-depth research, explication, and documentation of a topic. Its result should be a piece of original research or, possibly, an original artistic production. Students will prepare for their dissertation by completing a series of workshops, an assessed proposal, which will include an annotated bibliography, and a presentation. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Design a viable research proposal, including relevant bibliographical information
2. Explore and develop a topic of their own devising
3. Show that they have acquired the tools necessary to research their topic adequately and to document that research
4. Present the results of their research
5. Write reflective pieces about the dissertation and their use of the supervisor’s feedback

Module content

Students will attend a series of workshops on research skills, and will submit a dissertation proposal of 500 words, and an annotated bibliography of 5 items (200 words on each item), by the end of Semester 2 of Part 2. In week 3 of Semester 1 of Part 3 they will give a 10-minute oral presentation on an aspect of their dissertation. Students write one dissertation of no more than 10,000 words. A full draft chapter will be submitted at the end of Semester 1. A reflective essay will be submitted alongside the final dissertation. A workshop will be provided to guide students on the requirements of the reflective essay. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The dissertation begins in Semester 2 of Part 2 when Dissertation and Project Workshops are held. These workshops introduce Part 2 students to the principles of the dissertation/independent project exercise. Students are asked to propose a dissertation topic to the Classics Department. Following approval of their proposed topic, students meet their allocated supervisor at the end of Semester 2 of Part 2 in order to prepare for initial research over the summer vacation. A proposal with an annotated bibliography of 5 items is submitted at the end of Semester 2 of Part 2 (or in week 11 of summer term of Part 2 for students who are entering the semesters system in 2024-2025 as Part 3 students) as a formative assessment which will be a prerequisite for and will inform the content of the oral presentation in week 3 of Semester 1 of Part 3. An oral presentation is given in week 3 of Semester 1 of Part 3, worth 10% of the module mark.  Over Semesters 1 and 2, in Part 3, students meet regularly with their supervisor and are encouraged to submit bibliographies, outlines and rough drafts for comment. At the end of Semester 1 of Part 3 students submit a draft chapter (of 1500-3000 words) along with a 200-word statement of progress, worth 10% of the module mark. The dissertation submitted in Week 9 of the Teaching Period of Semester 2 of Part 3, together with a short reflective exercise. The dissertation is worth 75% of the overall module mark, and the reflective exercise is worth 5%.

The hours listed in Practical classes and workshops under Semester 2 take place in the second half of Semester 2 of Part 2, i.e., after the Easter holidays. The hours listed in practical classes and workshops under Semester 1 take place in Semester 1 of Part 3. The hours in project supervision under Semester 1 take place in Part 3. One of the hours of project supervision in Semester 2 will take place in Semester 2 of Part 2 for students to consult colleagues on their proposals, and the rest in Semester 2 of Part 3 before the submissions of their final dissertations.

Study hours

At least 18 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

A Proposal of 500 words and an annotated bibliography of 5 items (200 words on each item), with 1,500 words as the total word count of the whole assignment, to be submitted at the end of Semester 2 of Part 2 (or in week 11 of summer term of Part 2 for students who are entering the semesters system in 2024-2025 as Part 3 students). The proposal will be a prerequisite for students to proceed with their oral presentation in week 3 of Semester 1 of Part 3 and will inform its content. 

Reassessment

Additional costs