LEARNING OUTCOMES For BA Sociology, BA Criminology and BA Sociology with Criminology students The learning outcomes for the third year dissertation (SO53001A) are that, in completing their dissertation, students should be able to: · investigate a selected sociological problem in a sustained and independent manner . be able to locate their work in relation to existing social theory and research · demonstrate their ability to gather information from appropriate sources (including, where relevant, undertaking original empirical research), and apply this information to the topic of study · demonstrate their understanding of the distinctive nature of sociological knowledge in relation to their chosen topic Hence, for single honours students, the important criteria regarding how you undertake your dissertation and the way your dissertation is assessed include: formulating and investigating a sociological problem that you can relate to existing literature in social (including cultural) theory and social (including cultural) research, while also demonstrating what is different and distinctive about sociological forms of knowledge in comparison with, for example, 'common sense' understandings, or the knowledge developed in other disciplines. For Joint Degrees For BA Media & Sociology, BA Anthropology & Sociology, BA Sociology & Politics, the learning outcomes for the third year dissertation (SO53035A) are that, in completing their dissertation, students should be able to: · investigate a chosen research problem related to their joint degree disciplines in a sustained, independent manner and informed by theoretical approaches and research methods appropriate for their joint degree schemes . locate their work in relation to existing theory and research in their joint degree disciplines · demonstrate their ability to gather information from appropriate sources (including, where relevant, undertaking original empirical research), and apply this information to the topic of study Hence, different learning outcomes and related assessment criteria apply to joint honours dissertations. The key (but not the only) differences from single honours dissertations are: · Joint honours dissertations are expected to reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the relevant joint degree programme. You should therefore draw on both sociology and your other discipline when undertaking the dissertation. · The methodology and research techniques discussed and applied in joint honours dissertations will be assessed in accordance with the research training provided to joint honours students over the three years of their degree. Joint honours students will not be expected to demonstrate methodological standards in sociology that they have not been trained for.
DISSERTATION ARRANGEMENTS Before the end of June in your second year, you should fill out and send the relevant form (attached/will be emailed to you) to the Sociology Department indicating the proposed area, topic or title of your dissertation. This may help us in assigning to you a third year Dissertation Tutor who specialises in your dissertation area, though we cannot always guarantee to do this. Your Dissertation Tutor will provide supervision for your dissertation and oversee its progress during the Third Year. Dissertation Supervision You will be assigned to a Dissertation Tutor at the start of the Autumn Term who you will meet