IR4795 Joint Dissertation (60cr)

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Full Year

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

60

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students in the Second year of the Honours Programme, who have completed the Letter of Agreement, downloadable from (url to be confirmed). No student may do more than 60 credits in Dissertation or Project modules.

Planned timetable

As Per IR4099

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr C M Jones

Dr C M Jones
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The dissertation must consist of approximately 10,000 - 12,000 words of English prose on a topic agreed between the student and two appropriate members of staff (who act as supervisors). The topic does not have to relate to work covered in previous Honours modules, though it may be helpful to the student if it builds on previous work. The topic and range of sources should be chosen in consultation with the supervisors in order to determine that the student has access to sources as well as a clear plan of preparation. (Guidelines for printing and binding dissertations can be found at: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/printanddesign/dissertation/)

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2006

Assessment pattern

As per Letter of Agreement.

Re-assessment

As per Letter of Agreement.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

As per Letter of Agreement.

Guided independent study hours

600

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • undertake independent research utilising appropriate scholarly resources and additional data sources
  • apply concepts, theories, and methods to a subject matter of their choice
  • further develop their capacity to think critically and evaluate different interpretations of global political events and issues
  • further refine their experience with producing detailed, engaging, and compelling academic writing, in a longer format that undertaken previously
  • develop and utilise time-management techniques, demonstrating self-direction and motivation over an extended period
  • reflect on and take responsibility for their own learning