REMH09-Dissertation

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: REMH01 Understanding the Historic Environment and REMH02 History of Buildings and Landscapes and REMH03 Heritage Law and Economics
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2018/9

Email: h.j.g.russell@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The dissertation provides students with the opportunity to follow an interest in heritage and conservation, and to investigate it in some depth. They will draw on what they have learnt during the course of the programme. The module will build on the research skills developed during the programme and give them the skills to work independently and to use their skills of critical analysis in a new area. They will learn how to build and structure a longer piece of work, which will be founded on their own research. 

Aims:

This module aims to develop students' research and analytical skills and to apply them to a substantive research project of a student’s (guided) choice. This module will enhance the students' ability to utilise the knowledge, understanding and skills developed previously across the whole programme, integrating this in the context of the particular study undertaken.

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• Show a mastery of the principal styles of English architecture

• Critically debate the development of historic interiors

• Demonstrate awareness and understanding of how and why building legislation and codes have developed

• Evidence your understanding of the development of landscapes and gardens.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

• Assemble a literature review on a given topic which provides a synthesis and critical analysis of the relevant literature

• Understand the main methodological questions concerning research in the area of conservation

• Appreciate the different main approaches towards the integration of theory and practice into a research project

• Assess the suitability and usefulness of alternative sources of data for the analysis of research questions

• Compose a research proposal outlining a research project suitable for a masters level dissertation

• Produce an original dissertation, which critically analyses a particular research question and examines this question using appropriate data and methodology. 

Additional outcomes:

Students will develop 

• An understanding of the research process and the main challenges encountered in undertaking a research project. 

• They will develop their skills with regard to organising and executing such a project. 

• They will enhance their skills regarding the collection and analysis of data, the surveying and synthesis of existing literature on a topic, 

• They will be able to apply theoretical models to practical questions, 

• They will improve their ability to prepare and produce substantial reports.

• They will develop the skills to conduct research and write up their results independently. 

• They will also be able to produce a structured research proposal and an original dissertation. 

Outline content:

The student will, with appropriate guidance from the module convener, select a topic of interest to them and of academic/professional relevance within the conservation of the historic environment sphere. The topic will need the approval of the module convenor. At this point the module convenor will enlist the help of other academic members of the course team with specialist knowledge of, or interest in, the particular field, to act as dissertation supervisors. All students will be allocated a supervisor who will act as academic guide and provide support to the student. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module follows on from, and draws on, research skills and ideas developed in the autumn term. Students are required to apply the skills learned during the lectures and workshops to the development of an actual research project, for which they will produce a 10 -12,000 word dissertation. Students are expected to commence any fieldwork necessary in the Spring term. 

The summer term will be devoted to the completion of the research element and the writing-up stage of the thesis. Each student will be allocated a further four hours of individual tutorial support in the summer, with further support being available by negotiation with the module convenor and allocated supervisor, as deemed necessary and appropriate in each case.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Dissertation (40 credits), guide of 10,000 words 

As this is a capping module for the programme, and therefore bringing together students’ learning from all other modules, before submitting the dissertation, students must have:

1)    Completed the co-requisite core modules (see ‘co-requisites’ above)

2)    Completed two elective modules

3)    Enrolled for two further elective modules

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:
50%

As this is a core Module of Special Significance for all students on the MSc Conservation of the Historic Environment a mark of 40 must be achieved in order for the MSc to be awarded.

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-submission of dissertation.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 31 July 2018