Dissertation (Long) - PHI00101H
Module summary
The Long Dissertation is a three-term 40-credit 3rd year Option in which the student prepares an extended piece of written work (of up to 8,000 words) on new material in substantial depth under the guidance of a supervisor.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2025-26 to Semester 2 2025-26 |
Module aims
Subject Content
- To enable students to undertake a substantial piece of independent work on a well-defined philosophical problem, chosen by themselves with guidance from a supervisor.
Academic and Graduate Skills
- To develop students abilities to apply philosophical tools and techniques, in order to advance understanding of intellectual problems, and to work independently
Module learning outcomes
Subject content
- Students should be able to display an in depth critical understanding of a philosophical topic of their choosing, with a grasp of the forefront of current research in the area.
Academic and graduate skills
- Students should be able to analyse complex areas of knowledge, displaying critical awareness and synthesise information and ideas from a variety of sources at the forefront of the discipline; Students should show the ability to work autonomously and self critically, producing a substantial piece of independent work.
Module content
Applying for the Long Dissertation
- The intention to apply for the Short Dissertation should be indicated on the option module app at the time students choose their third year modules.
- Students will be sent information and guidance by email about how and when to submit a Dissertation proposal for approval. A clear deadline for proposal submission will be provided to students. The deadline will be in the Semester before the one in which the Short Dissertation will be taken: ie May prior to S1, October prior to S2.
- Students are responsible for identifying a potential Philosophy member of staff to act as their dissertation supervisor and to discuss their ideas with them in first instance. Once a topic, title and supervisor have been identified and agreed with the supervisor, then you will need to submit a Proposal to the Philosophy Board of Studies for approval by the agreed published deadline.
The proposal should:
- be clear and precisely worded
- include a well-defined question or topic of sufficiently restricted scope to be addressed within the 8,000 word limit
- include some indication of the philosophical background (around 300 to 500 words)
- include a preliminary bibliography (minimum 6 works)
- state the name of the staff member who has agreed to supervise the Long Dissertation if it is approved
- The subject proposed should not be a mere duplication of topics covered in already available modules, though it may comprise a substantial and detailed development of such a topic. In deciding on a topic for a Long Dissertation, students should take care to avoid extensive overlap with any Year 3 module for which they have registered. Long Dissertations may pursue topics related to Year 3 modules, but students should take steps to ensure that they will not find themselves in a position in which it is difficult to avoid duplication of material in the Long Dissertation and other assessments. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss potential overlap with tutors scheduled to teach the relevant module/s.
Overambitious or poorly researched proposals will not receive approval.
Eligibility
In addition to an approved proposal, students need to have a Year 2 stage average of at least 60 to be eligible to take the Long Dissertation.
Programme of Work
Semester 1
- Five group meetings with a Dissertation Co-Ordinator
- Initial meeting to discuss proposal and review draft bibliography
- Further meetings for which annotated bibliography entries and draft proposals are submitted in advance
- Summative Assessment (10%), Semester 1 Revision and Assessment Period: Outline (1000 words) and Annotated Bibliography (2000 words)
Semester 2
- Five meetings to discuss work
- First three meetings to discuss work submitted in advance of 1000-2000 words
- Fourth meeting to discuss substantive draft of 4000 words, submitted in advance
- Final meeting to give feedback and guidance on the writing of the assessed essay.
- Summative assessment (90%), Semester 2 Revision and Assessment Period: Essay (8000 words)
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 90 |
| Essay/coursework | 10 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
Summative assessment (10%), Semester 1 Revision and Assessment Period: Outline (1000 words) and Annotated Bibliography (2000 words)
Summative assessment (90%), Semester 2 RA Period: Essay (8000 words)
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 90 |
| Essay/coursework | 10 |
Module feedback
All feedback will be returned in line with University and Departmental policy.
Indicative reading
Recommended reading is dependent upon the topic chosen.