Module Details

Module Code: THES H4703
Module Title: Dissertation
Title: Dissertation
Module Level:: 8
Credits:: 20
Module Coordinator: Janette Davies
Module Author:: Brian Garvey
Domains:  
Module Description: This module aims to develop learners' skills and conceptual awareness to research and execute an academic thesis in a fully professional manner. The process helps learners develop original and critical thinking about their chosen subject, question or hypothesis. The module encourages learners to make connections between their studio work and their thesis research topic. Emphasis is placed on the importance of critical engagement, historical specificity and discursive debate in contemporary culture. The module develops the individual learner’s ability to express complex ideas through verbal form.

The module has three distinct components:

1. Annotated Bibliography

2. A literature Review.

3. Thesis Presentation/ seminar

4. The Dissertation
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Identify and describe detailed knowledge, scholarship of a self directed focus within contemporary debate(s) in the field(s) of art and design history/criticism, film theory/criticism, visual culture studies, community based learning etc.
LO2 Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and in-depth engagement with key moments in their research field that hold relevance to contemporary debates employing advanced research methods including online research, accessing visual art archives.
LO3 Apply their learning through a sustained piece of writing, an in-depth exploration of a theme or subject demonstrating independent and critical analysis in their findings and conclusion.
LO4 Analyze and categorize research material and writing into relevant component parts through chapter development and advanced presentation skills.
LO5 Evaluating and critically assessing research material and written work through a developed awareness of the importance of editing and formatting their work with regard to illustrations, footnotes, appendices and bibliography.
LO6 Create a dissertation demonstrating clear evidence of an in depth critical and contextual reflection on visual art/ film/visual culture and criticism and being able to time manage and meet deadlines.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Thesis Subject
In this subject students reflect on their learning in years 1-3 and devise their own research project and present a research proposal/rationale for their thesis. The proposal should include An outline of their topic, question or argument. A review /survey of relevant academic literature and annotated bibliography. A plan of execution and single methodology with defined targets of development. Details of primary research and data collection where appropriate. The award year will consist of group seminars and individual tutorials as well as focused research. Students are assigned a thesis advisor who supervises and supports their research project. Thesis advisors will meet students in the stages of research, draft and final phase of written work. Relevant areas of research, academic reference, lay out, structure, original material, referencing, management in time and in essay content will be established. Guidelines on when each stage of the dissertation is due will be clearly shown. In addition to the above the award student is encouraged to attend seminars, external specialist lectures and symposia around Ireland. In the second second semester students are asked to make a 15 minute presentation about their research to the class, lecturers and all years.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment30.00%
Project70.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 20
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,4,5
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Literature Review/Survey and Annotated Bibliography 1000-1200 words
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 10
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,4,5
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Presentation: 15 minutes illustrated:
Project
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 70
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5,6
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Thesis: Word count 6,500-8,000 words. A dissertation is a sustained piece of writing where a subject or theme is explored in depth. The evidence presented in the dissertation is documented in the footnotes and bibliography. Supplementary material may also be included in appendices. Reading lists are developed by the learner in consultation with lecturers.
No Practical
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.
Reassessment Description
If a student fails to complete their thesis or fails the assessment, re-assessment can take place without repeating the year if the student obtains the agreement of the lecturer, course board and external examiner to submit completed work at future date for a future exam board.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Contact Hours Contact Contact Hours Every Week 2.00 2
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Learning Non Contact Independent research, reading and writing of dissertation Every Week 15.00 15
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Murray, Rowena. (2017), How To Write A Thesis, 4th Edition. McGraw-Hill Education (UK), p.384, [ISBN: 978-033526206].
  • Gillian Rose. (2016), Visual Methodologies, 4th Edition. SAGE Publications Limited, p.408, [ISBN: 978147394890].
  • Barbour, Rosaline.. (2013), Introducing Qualitative Research: A Student′s Guide, 2nd Edition. SAGE Publications Ltd, USA, [ISBN: 978-1446254].
  • Michael ann Holly and Marquard Smith. (2009), What is Research in the Visual Arts?, Yale University Press, USA, [ISBN: 978-030013413].
  • Burbach, R. Lennon, R. Raftery, D.. (2010), Credit Where Credit is Due,, IT Carlow Carlow.
  • Denzin, Norman and Lincoln, Yvonna.. (2017), Handbook of Qualitative Research, 2nd Edition. [ISBN: 978-076191512].
  • Eco, Umberto.. (2015), How to write a Thesis, MIT Press, USA, [ISBN: 978-026252713].
  • Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb , Joseph M. Williams , Joseph Bizup , William T. FitzGerald .. (2016), The Craft of Research, Fourth Edition, 4th Edition. University of Chicago Press, USA, [ISBN: 978-02262397].
  • Charles Harrison , Paul Wood. (2002), Art in Theory 1900-2000: An Anthology of Changing Ideas, Wiley-Blackwell, Australia, [ISBN: 978-063122708].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Gray, C. and Malins, J.. (2004), Visualizing Research: a guide to the research process in Art and Design, Ashgate & available online at: http://www.upv.es/laboluz/master/seminario/textos/Visualizing_Research.pdf, Ashgate Publishing Limited, England, [ISBN: 978-075463577].
  • Jean Robertson,Craig McDaniel,. (2016), Themes of Contemporary Art, 4. Oxford University Press,, USA, p.464, [ISBN: 0190276622].
  • Francis Frascina. (2018), Modern Art Culture: A Reader, Routledge, USA, [ISBN: 978081536482].
  • Boris Groys. (2016), Particular Cases, Sternberg Press, Berlin, [ISBN: 3956792211].
  • Diarmuid Costello,Jonathan Vickery. (2007), Art, Bloomsbury USA Academic, USA, p.213, [ISBN: 1845203208].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
Discussion Note: