Teaching and assessment for Social Sciences (Professional Doctorate) DSSci
Teaching
Teaching will be delivered by blended learning, you will attend face-to-face sessions on campus twice per year (January and June), for six days on each occasion. For the remainder of the time, you will engage in online teaching and learning, and self-directed study.
There will be emphasis on active learning, using participatory approaches, such as interactive workshops, seminars, group work, one-to-one supervision (in the thesis stage), and web conferences.
The Professional Doctorates have been designed to enhance your professional development and enable you to progress as ‘researching professionals’ within your own setting. To achieve this, we deploy teaching and learning activities that include group work to tackle issues in interdisciplinary ways, using this as a vehicle for deeper learning and understanding.
The taught phase (Year 1 & Year 2)
During the taught phase, researchers take three modules each year. Each module lasts for 12 weeks and ends with an exam in week 13. Towards the end of the second year, researchers start figuring out what they don't know, forming research questions, and planning how they'll do their research, including any ethics paperwork they need. If they pass this phase, they become candidates and move on to the research phase.
The research phase (Year 3 & Year 4)
Upon completing the taught phase, researchers need to get approval for their research plan, especially if it involves ethical considerations. They also need to learn how to handle data and follow certain rules for managing it.
Assessment
Each module assessment includes subject-specific components to evaluate your knowledge and understanding of the module topics. This is achieved through:
- written coursework
- continuous assessment
- blog entries
- oral presentations
- peer / self-review
- group projects
You are also expected to develop core programme skills throughout your studies and some of these, including digital literacy, critical thinking, and writing, are tested across the modules. Others, such as applying the principles of design-thinking and honing your dissemination and implementation skills, are linked to specific modules.
The thesis is the culmination of the Professional Doctorate programme and tests your intellectual skills, creativity, problem-solving, and ability to manage a complex and challenging piece of work.
In all written assessment work, you are expected to use a wide range of evidence to support your work.
Module list
Core Modules
These modules are an essential part of your course
RD52001 - Leadership in Professional Practice
RD53001 - Professional Identities in a Changing World
RD51001 - Research Methodologies for Interdisciplinarity
RD62001 - Applied Research Methods as Strategic Tools
RD63001 - Transforming Lives Through Innovation
RD61001 - Critical Review of Literature and Practice
Optional Modules
You need to choose one or more of these modules as part of your course
RD63002 - Practice-based Consultancy Intervention
If you have any questions about the admissions process, studying, or living in Dundee, please contact us