Dissertation in Sociology SOCIO4008P

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 40
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Runs Throughout Semesters 1 and 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

Dissertation in Sociology

Timetable

6 compulsory group contact hours in the third year, and 2 compulsory group contact hours, plus up to 9 hours of additional optional training and access to 4 hours of drop in sessions, and individual supervision in the third and fourth years.

Requirements of Entry

Mandatory Entry Requirements

Entry to Honours Sociology requires a grade point average of 12 (Grade C) over Sociology 2A and Sociology 2B as a first attempt and D3 or better in Sociology 1A and 1B.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None.

Assessment

Three pieces of work contribute to the final assessment of this module:

■ A 1,500 word dissertation proposal, submitted at the end of the Junior Honours year (15%)

■ A 10 minute oral presentation, given in the middle of the Senior Honours year (10%)

■ A 12,000 word dissertation, submitted at the end of the Senior Honours year (75%)

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable

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Course Aims

The general aims of the course follow from the departmental aim of developing a sound knowledge and critical understanding of the academic disciplines of Sociology. In keeping with this, the Honours programme as a whole aims to help you develop increasingly advanced conceptual and analytical skills within the disciplines of Sociology. The dissertation option aims to:

■ allow you to integrate different aspects of your previous study of sociology and thus consolidate your grasp of the discipline(s)

■ encourage you to develop intellectual independence and originality by choosing your own subject of study and defining its nature and scope

■ give you a grounding in practical research skills, as well as skills in project management, which will be good preparation for further study and/or research, as well as useful in gaining entry to and succeeding in many other occupations and careers

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this module students should be able to:

■ identify a topic worthy of sociological inquiry

■ critically analyse and evaluate existing knowledge on that topic, through a review of relevant literature

■ formulate a coherent and answerable set of research questions

■ identify an appropriate research strategy and method, taking due account of any practical, political and ethical issues affecting the conduct of their research

■ collect and analyse relevant empirical evidence from fieldwork and/or secondary/documentary sources

■ draw appropriate conclusions from their analysis

■ write up a logically structured and properly referenced research report

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must meet the guidelines set out in the Faculty regulations.