Scottish History by Distance Learning MLitt: Research Proposal and Dissertation module (HY51037)

The module aims:

• To enable students to plan and execute a significant project of research.
• To allow students to apply their knowledge and understanding to a particular research topic.
• To allow students to develop original and creative responses to problems and issues.
• To allow students to identify, conceptualise and define new problems and issues.

The student will write an 18,000 word dissertation after completing 60 credits of dissertation study. The dissertation may be on any topic of the student’s choosing as long as the topic is related to Scottish History. Choice of the topic will also be influenced by the sources that students may access.

Assessment

This module is assessed as one 18,000 word dissertation (100%).

Intended learning outcomes

The student should by the end of the course acquire:

• An understanding of the main theoretical approaches to history
• A critical awareness of how to apply theory in their own research
• An appreciation of how theoretical approaches have influenced historiography
• An appreciation of how to use primary sources in historical research

Convenor

Dr Patricia Whatley

Teaching

This flexible distance learning module requires the student to complete independent research. While students will register for the dissertation in one semester, it is expected that most students will take more than one semester to complete the dissertation.