LA069-6-FY-CO:
Language Dissertation
2018/19
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 04 October 2018
Friday 28 June 2019
30
-
Requisites for this module
LA041 and LA042 and LA051
The Department of Language and Linguistics can offer guidance on prior knowledge or qualification exemptions.
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BA Q140 Language Studies,
BA Q143 Language Studies (4 Years Including Foundation Year),
BA R900 Modern Languages,
BA R999 Modern Languages (5 Years Including Foundation Year),
BA R8T7 Modern Languages with Latin American Studies,
BA R8T9 Modern Languages with Latin American Studies (5 Years Including Foundation Year),
BA RR49 Spanish Studies and Modern Languages,
BA RT97 Spanish, Portuguese and Brazilian Studies,
BA RT99 Spanish, Portuguese and Brazilian Studies (5 Years Including Foundation Year)
Building on the knowledge and skills gained in their language modules, the Language Expert modules and the Year Abroad (for level 6 students), students will conduct an independent study, under supervision, on a topic related to their chosen language (areas studied at levels 4, 5 and 6). The topic must be approved by their supervisor. The study culminates in a dissertation written in the target language. The dissertation can take a variety of forms: for example, a research project on an aspect of culture or society, a literature/film review and analysis (with a focus on a specific author/text or director/film), a translation study*, a comparative translation study with commentary*, etc.
With this module, students can expect to develop their ability to conduct independent research, to work with varied and complex sources of information in the target language, thus having the opportunity to develop their analytical thinking and problem solving abilities, and expand their linguistic proficiency and communication skills in the target language.
On completing the module they will have a sound understanding of how to conduct independent research, gather information and report the results of research. They will have advanced lexical and grammatical knowledge of the target language, and an in-depth understanding of the topic they have investigated. They will also have acquired useful transferrable skills such as independent learning, planning and organization and editing and digital skills.
* A translation study is only available to students who have reached level 6 (Mastery) of their target language and are enrolled into LA067 (Translation, Subtitling and Interpreting) or have taken an equivalent translation module during their Year Abroad.
No information available.
No information available.
Students must be taking a level 6 Language Module in the same language of the project.
Optional in:
BA French Studies and Modern Languages
BA German Studies and Modern Languages
BA International Relations and Modern Languages
BA Italian Studies and Modern Languages
BA Language Studies
BA Literature and Modern Languages
BA Modern Languages
BA Modern Languages and English Language
BA Modern Languages and Linguistics
BA Modern Languages and Teaching English as a Foreign Language
BA Modern Languages with Latin American Studies
BA Modern Languages with Professional Skills
BA Philosophy and Modern Languages
BA Politics with Modern Languages
BA Portuguese Studies and Modern Languages
BA Spanish Studies and Modern Languages
BA Spanish, Portuguese and Brazilian Studies
BA Spanish Studies with Latin American Studies
* A combination of seminar work, individual supervision in person and by email, and independent study.
* Generic (all languages) classes in weeks 2 and 3 (2 hours each) on research methods and academic skills;
* Language specific: 2 individual supervision sessions in term 1 and 3 sessions in term 2.
Term 0: – Summer Term prior to final year of study:
* Select a topic for study (+ scope and range) and email a suggestion to the language teacher. A supervisor will be assigned.
* With the help of the supervisor, identify research questions, sources of information and data gathering methods and start independent research.
* Send a draft proposal to the supervisor in week 38.
* Complete a written Project Proposal* of 400 words and submit it to the supervisor by week 40. This will count for 10% of the overall mark for the dissertation.
Term 1:
* Attend the generic preparation sessions in weeks 2 and 3 (with the module director) and the following individual sessions with the supervisor.
* Submit a dissertation plan and a bibliography.
* Submit the draft of a section/chapter (1,500 words) by week 16. This is a formative piece of assessment, for which students will receive feedback but which will not count towards the final mark.
Term 2:
* Re-write the 1,500 draft in the light of the supervisor's feedback.
* Write up the dissertation, considering comments from the supervisor and peer review (where applicable).
Term 3:
* Finalise and submit the project, including content page, annotations/bibliography, appendices, etc. by week 30. This will count for 70% of the overall mark.
* Prepare a viva to defend the dissertation: this will consist in a 10 min. oral presentation in week 32, with written support (slides, bibliography), followed by 10 min. questions. This will count for 20% of the overall mark.
* Any subsequent changes to the proposal will have to be agreed by the supervisor and the module director.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Written Proposal (in English) |
|
10% |
| Coursework |
Oral Presentation (Viva) |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Final Dissertation |
|
70% |
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
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Various see below
Teresa Torres (Spanish), Dounia Bissar (French), Emma Hopper (German), Ignazia Posadinu (Italian), Beatriz De Paiva (Portuguese). Any member of the Modern Languages teaching staff may be involved in student supervision, depending on their area of expertise.
No
No
No
Dr Rhian Elisabeth Atkin
Cardiff University
Lecturer
Dr Matilde Gallardo
King's College London
Lecturer
Prof Nils Langer
The University of Bristol
Professor
Mr David Henri Pascal Tual
The University of Cambridge
Director of the Language Unit
Prof Sonia Cunico
University of Exeter
Director of Language Teaching
Available via Moodle
Of 4 hours, 4 (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).
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