Structure and content
The course structure is designed to allow for tailor-made study to run alongside tuition in the theory and methods of the Humanities.
- Modules 1 & 2: Our innovative training for graduates, which stretches over both semesters, enables students to build up a portfolio of skills that prepare them for academic and professional life. The portfolio is adaptable to individual experience and requirements, and as such covers basic skills (e.g. presentation, bibliography, specific research methods, library research), employability skills (e.g. teaching experience, marking student work, career development event, broaden language knowledge), breadth of knowledge (e.g. conference attention, reading participation group, prepare essay of presentation on a topic beyond own research). All graduate students will work with their supervisors to select tasks which are relevant for them from a menu of activities. Within this course, students will be given specific guidance on what activities they need to fulfil for their qualification
- Module 3 (Individual): A tailor-made course of study in semester one, taught by at least five individual supervisions, on a subject of your choice agreed with the subject areas concerned. This may involve interdisciplinary supervision across subject areas where appropriate. The module allows students to begin work on a topic of particular significance to them personally, one that is cognate to but not identical with their subsequent dissertation. It is assessed by a written assignment (essay).
- Module 3 (Specified Pathway): A subject-specific module of study in semester one, in a weekly two-hour seminar format, on one of three possible areas: Hermeneutics, Religion and Politics, or Cultural Representation of Spain and Latin America. The module allows students to begin work on a topic with particular focus that can then be personalised in the subsequent semester’s module and in the dissertation. It is assessed by two written assignments (essays).
- Module 4: Taken in semester two, this module will consist in developing the theme and outline for the dissertation itself, which may include a detailed outline of the proposed argument, a literature review or an extended relevant book review, a description or proposal for the application of a methodological framework, or some combination thereof, depending upon the exact nature or the research in question. It will be supervised by the same member of staff whose expertise correlates with the research interest in module 3. The module will feature a structure of five supervisions and one written assessment. The written assessment will be tailored to the student’s proposed dissertation focus in consultation with the supervisor(s).
In addition, students are entitled to take existing advanced level (level 10 or 11) tuition from the subject areas concerned and/or to undertake language tuition at all levels in French and Spanish, or in earlier varieties of English (Old and Middle English), if appropriate.
- Module 5: In semester two, you will begin work on an in-depth dissertation exploring the research topic of your choice, as agreed with an appropriate supervisor, thus building upon the tailor-made tuition or specified pathway from modules 3 & 4. You will present your theme at the School's PG day, and complete your writing over the summer.
NB: The Postgraduate Certificate requires completion of at least 60 SCQF credits within the programme, but not the dissertation.
Delivery and assessment
Modules 1 and 2 (Research Skills) involve the accumulation of credits within a portfolio of varying activity, agreed upon with your supervisor. The completed porfolio is graded as Pass/Fail. Module 3 (Specified Pathway) is a weekly two-hour seminar with two written essays. The remaining modules are individually supervised and assessed by written work, with the dissertation as its culmination.
Preparation
Contact the School for information on your timetable and reading lists.