LG981-7-SL-CO:
MA Dissertation
2024/25
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Summer & Long Vacation
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Tuesday 22 April 2025
Wednesday 01 October 2025
0
03 October 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MA Q110JS Applied Linguistics,
MA QX13JS Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
The MA dissertation is a central component of the MA.
Writing your MA dissertation is your chance to research a topic of your choosing with the guidance of an experienced supervisor; often, indeed, this is what motivates students to take up graduate study in the first place and, in some cases, to carry on to do PhD.
At 12,000-14,000 words, the dissertation represents a substantial piece of writing and is the equivalent of two academic journal articles of the type you will have read during your programme. It therefore requires careful planning and research, and considerable determination to stick to a carefully worked out timetable.
This module offers students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills developed earlier in the master's course to work on a project of their choice.
Students will mainly work independently, however, group and individual meetings with the supervisor will provide guidance and feedback on work presented. Seminar-supported supervision will be in place; this consists of a minimum of 4 meetings with supervisors and other students on the module further supported by a number of group sessions focussing on different aspects of the dissertation.
By the end of the module, students should:
• be able to work effectively managing time and activities in order to address a defined project to the agreed supervision schedule and deadlines.
• be able to produce a significant and substantial piece of written work at an academic level.
• have performed a variety of tasks such as researching and collecting data, organising and proof reading.
• be able to present draft work to peers and staff for feedback during the summer term.
• be able to reflect on knowledge and performance, seek and use feedback, and identify career development needs.
Students will mainly work independently, however, group and individual meetings with the supervisor will provide guidance and feedback on work presented. Seminar-supported supervision entails one meeting prior to the Easter vacation, followed by a minimum of three further monthly meetings involving supervisors and other students. These meetings/seminars will focus on different aspects of the dissertation.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Additional coursework information
N/A
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
Assessment required in future academic year.
Reassessment
Assessment required in future academic year.
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Karen Roehr-Brackin, email: kroehr@essex.ac.uk.
Various
4.334; kroehr@essex.ac.uk
No
No
No
Dr Vivienne Esther Rogers
Dr Ian Cunnings
University of Reading
Associate Professor in Psycholinguistics
Dr Troy McConachy
University of Warwick
Associate Professor
Available via Moodle
Of 21 hours, 21 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 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.