ENMCHDI: Dissertation

Module code: ENMCHDI

Module provider: English Literature; School of Humanities

Credits: 100

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Summer (vacation) semester

Module convenor: Professor Karin Lesnik-Oberstein, email: k.b.lesnik-oberstein@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

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

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to enable students to conceive and select an appropriate topic on which to write a dissertation; and to read and analyse their selected texts closely in terms of the critical ideas and problems to which they have been introduced throughout the M(Res). This module also therefore aims to enable students to reconsider the formulations of their critical arguments further, in terms of how and why they may present their analyses in their dissertations. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Write a well-conceived, closely analytical and critical and well-presented dissertation that demonstrates their ability to recognize theoretical issues and problems, and to consider and address the implications of such issues and problems throughout their dissertation. 
2. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of critical, theoretical and methodological approaches to children’s literature and interdisciplinary childhood studies, including children’s media 
3. Implement research skills, including archival research skills when appropriate to the topic of their dissertation 
4. Demonstrate an awareness of the relevance of issues in children’s literature and interdisciplinary childhood studies to wider social and cultural issues and questions. 

Module content

The dissertation will be written on a subject chosen by the student in consultation with the Programme Director and the dissertation supervisor, and subject to the approval of the Programme Director. It is expected that it will be a piece of original research, conceived and written by the student. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The dissertation is first engaged with during the Theory module which it is formally a continuation of, so that the small group seminar discussions there form the development of the analytical and critical thinking that is central to the Theory module as well as the dissertation itself. There will be between 5 and 15 hours of individual supervision for the dissertation specifically. In addition, there will be a series of seminars at the start of the Summer to prepare the students for writing and presenting an extensive piece of scholarly and critical work. 

Study hours

At least 21 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 50% 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.

Formative assessment consists of continuous feedback on Theory seminar participation and extensive feedback on drafts of the dissertation up to 5,000 words (of the total 20,000 words). 

Reassessment

Additional costs