SC981-7-FY-CO:
Postgraduate Taught Project and Academic Skills
2024/25
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 27 June 2025
60
24 July 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MA NP5312 Advertising, Marketing and the Media,
MA NP5324 Advertising, Marketing and the Media,
MA NP53MO Advertising, Marketing and the Media,
MA M90012 Criminology,
MA M90024 Criminology,
MSC L30812 Criminology and Socio-Legal Research,
MSC L30824 Criminology and Socio-Legal Research,
MA MF9112 Organised Crime, Terrorism and Security,
MA MF9124 Organised Crime, Terrorism and Security,
MSC MF9012 Organised Crime, Terrorism and Security,
MSC MF9024 Organised Crime, Terrorism and Security,
MA L30112 Sociological Research Methods,
MA L30124 Sociological Research Methods,
MA L30012 Sociology,
MA L30024 Sociology,
MSC L31012 Survey Methods for Social Research,
MSC L31024 Survey Methods for Social Research,
MSC L310MO Survey Methods for Social Research,
MA L31112 Migration Studies,
MA L31124 Migration Studies,
MSC L31112 Migration Studies,
MSC L31124 Migration Studies,
MA L31812 Sociology and Criminology,
MA L31824 Sociology and Criminology,
MPHDML9048 Criminology,
PHD ML9048 Criminology,
MPHDL30048 Sociology,
PHD L30048 Sociology
This module is the only FULL YEAR module for all MA/MSc programs and covers the preparation to the dissertation as well as the building of academic skills throughout postgraduate studies in the SOCIOLOGY department at Essex.
Building on other PGT modules, the aim of SC981 is to provide PGT students with a comprehensive understanding of what the dissertation entails, and with the support needed to design it and complete it.
The module also aims to provide students with an understanding of employment and further studies opportunities after their Master’s degree.
The Dissertation
1. The dissertation must build a clear argument in a logical and orderly progression. It should never look like “some reflections on...” and become a random series of thoughts. Nor should it simply be descriptive; it must always be analytical.
2. Theories and concepts should be used to organise your ideas and evidence should be produced to support the points you make.
3. The dissertation must never plagiarise the work of others. Where the data or ideas are not your own, they must be clearly referenced.
The workshops will introduce the Department Style Guide, and provide an opportunity to look at a range of good assignments and academic writing styles.
Most modules at postgraduate level in Sociology are taught as a 1hr or 2hr seminar. Most classes, labs and seminars will be taught face-to-face (assuming social distancing allows this). If not classes will be live zoom meetings. There may also be some online activities – either timetabled as a live online session or available on Moodle in the form of pre-recorded videos. You will be expected to watch this material and engage with any suggested activities before your seminar/class each week.
Please note that you should be spending up to ten hours per week undertaking your own private study (reading, preparing for classes or assignments, etc.) on each of your modules (e.g. 30 hours in total for three 20--credit modules).
This module SC981 will include a range of activities to help you and your teachers check your understanding and progress.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Dissertation |
12/09/2025 |
100% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
100 per cent Coursework Mark
Reassessment
100 per cent Coursework Mark
Module supervisor and teaching staff
No
No
Yes
Dr Umut Erel
Open University
Senior Lecturer
Prof Benjamin Bradford
University College London
Professor
Available via Moodle
Of 13 hours, 10 (76.9%) hours available to students:
1 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
2 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can
be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements,
industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist
of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules.
The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.