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SP30306: International development dissertation

[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Further information on credits Credits: 18      [equivalent to 36 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 360
Further information on unit levels Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Academic Year
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 10%, DS 90%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Synopsis CW (CW 10%)
  • Dissertation (DS 90%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Description: Aims:
The aims of the unit are:
a) To develop the student's knowledge and understanding of international. development, as set out in the learning outcomes listed below.
b) To develop the general critical and analytical powers of the student.
c) To develop research skills, with particular reference to those skills relating to investigation and analysis.
Students will design and carry out a library-based or secondary data-based piece of research on an international development topic of their choosing. The dissertation will be carried out under supervision. Further details are provided in the Dissertation Handbook.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the unit the students should be able to:
* conceptualise and design a 10,000 word piece of research on an international development topic of the students' choosing
* conduct a thorough literature review in the area of research chosen
* display critical and broad knowledge of research on the chosen topic
* identify clear research aims for their dissertation

Skills:
Transferable/Key skills:
To develop critical and analytical powers in general
To develop research skills with particular reference to those skills relating to investigation and analysis.
To think creatively and analytically.
To communicate an argument.
To evaluate others' arguments and research.
To critically evaluate and assess research and evidence as well as a variety of other information.
To gather information, data, research and literature from a number of different sources (i.e. library, web-based, archives etc.).
To select appropriate and relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge.
To synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding.
To utilise problem solving skills.

Content:
Students will choose a specific research topic and design a research project. Students will undertake either a library-based piece of research or fieldwork research on their chosen topic. This will provide the basis for their dissertation.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

SP30306 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB21 : BSc(Hons) International Development with Economics (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AKB21 : BSc(Hons) International Development with Economics with Year long work placement (Year 4)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.