PPMDISS: Dissertation

Module code: PPMDISS

Module provider: Philosophy; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 100

Level: Postgraduate Masters

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

Module convenor: Dr Walter Veit, email: w.r.w.veit@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: No

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The philosophy master in research culminates in the dissertation module in which all your previously learned skills are put together in a long piece of research. The aim is to develop a systematic and rigorous piece of philosophical writing through independent research. The module prepares students for professional roles in academia and outside in which sustained research is required, indeed, providing the ideal preparation for a PhD.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Develop the ability to research and write a dissertation
2. Learn valuable skills and the knowledge to succeed
3. Gain a firm philosophical grounding and mastery of specialised areas of study
4. Develop the ability to critically engage with, and reflect upon, current philosophical debates

Module content

A dissertation of not more than 20,000 words (100 credits), due by end of the Summer Vacation (PT: of Year 2). It is completed in 1 year full time or 2 years part time.

The following is the list of areas from which you must choose your essays:

• Philosophy of Language
• Philosophy of Mind
• Philosophy of Action
• Epistemology
• Metaphysics
• Philosophy of Science
• Philosophy of Mathematics
• Aesthetics
• Ethics
• Political Philosophy
• Philosophy of Law
• Philosophy of Religion
• Plato
• Aristotle
• Early Modern Philosophy (Descartes, Locke, Berkeley, Hume)
• Kant
• Schopenhauer
• Nietzsche
• Wittgenstein
• Continental Philosophy
• Indian Philosophy
• An area of research not listed above but which fits in with the research interests of a member of staff.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

For your dissertation you will almost exclusively be engaged in independent research.

However, you are also expected to participate in the weekly master seminar as well as to make use of meetings with your supervisor to ensure a high-quality dissertation.

Furthermore, we run a number of events throughout the year dedicated to stimulating and fostering research. These include a full visiting speaker programme, a work-in-progress programme, a graduate seminar, a regular staff-student reading group, and the highly regarded annual Ratio Conference. Our dynamic student and staff community is a vital part of our department, and you will be supported throughout your studies by our dedicated teaching staff and friendly support staff. Making use of this optional activities will further help you to learn more about philosophy and how to improve your research.

Broaden your philosophical knowledge in an intensive but flexible research-based programme for graduates looking to further their studies.

Learn through a combination of classes, seminars, reading groups, lectures and guest speaker events; and focus your research into your chosen area of study. Our MA by Research programme is ideal preparation if you are considering undertaking future doctoral research.

The flexibility of our MA by Research programme enables you to pursue your interests. Structured into weekly seminars where all students present their ongoing work to peers and academics, the course offers regular, individual supervision with expert members of staff in your chosen field. You’ll study in a stimulating research environment where 100% of our research is of international standing. (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Philosophy)

Study hours

At least 5 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.

Reassessment

Additional costs