Humanities Research MA/MSc

Block 1: Thriving as a Researcher

This module aims to equip you with the advanced research skills needed to thrive as a researcher in the arts and humanities, offering a range of theoretical and practical training opportunities. As well as sessions on research methods, you will contribute to workshops in research presentation, writing for publication, teaching and research, and ethical research. Staff-led seminars will be complemented by weekly collaborative, student-led meetings of the cohort in which you will be able to discuss your research with each other.

Assessment:

Poster presentation, 25%. You will present a poster of your research intentions to your cohort.

Essay, 75%. A 4000-word essay in which you will contextualise your own research goals in relation to the methods and issues raised by the course.

Block 2: Applying Methods in Practice

This module provides you with the opportunity to apply the advanced research methods studied as part of the programme to a case study in your chosen subject specialism. The choice of research method(s) and the focus of the case study will be negotiated with your supervisor at the start of the module.

Assessment:

5000-word case study, 100%.

Block 3: Conference Organisation and Presentation

This module is designed to offer you practical experience of event organisation and presentation, alongside the further development of your individual research specialism. It will involve collaborative as well as individual research skills. You will be guided through the necessary training in organising a conference, choosing a topic and delivering a relevant paper. You will be assigned a role, for example as a programme developer, marketing manager or website designer, and will also present a paper at the conference.

Assessment:

Reflective essay, 30%. A 1500-word essay outlining your contribution to the management of the conference.

Presentation, 70%.

Block 4: Developing your Project

This module is designed to provide you with experience in designing and writing a research project. This will include addressing whether the project requires ethical approval and support for seeking such approval, where relevant. The aims of the module are to prepare the groundwork for the final dissertation and to enable you to present and receive feedback from your supervisors.

Assessment:

Research proposal, 100%. You will produce a 5000-word extended project proposal for the proposed dissertation topic, with aims and hypotheses, proposed case studies, methodology, primary sources to be consulted, and an annotated bibliography of key secondary texts to be used.

Blocks 5 and 6: Dissertation

The final project will be a sustained piece of writing, amounting to 12,000 words. The piece will draw on research undertaken throughout the year but will provide a new and sustained argument. Your dissertation will demonstrate advanced skills in writing, research, argument construction and presentation as well as self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems.

Overview

At the start of the course you will be supported to develop your own research area and this specialist topic will provide the focus for all assessments. The taught modules will develop your practical skills in research to prepare you for your final dissertation and will consist mostly of tutorials and seminars, in which you will collaborate with students from across the cohort.

There is a mix of assessments to enable you to display your skills and knowledge in a variety of ways. These include a research poster, essay, case study analysis, conference presentation, reflective essay, research proposal (including an annotated bibliography), and a dissertation. You will have the opportunity to tailor your assessments to your chosen area of research specialism and your strengths.

Contact hours

In Blocks 1 and 3 you will attend an average of 4 hours of timetabled taught sessions each week, including seminars and tutorials, and will be expected to undertake 30-40 hours of independent study each week. Blocks 2 and 4-6 will be predominantly self-directed (including meetings with your supervisor), during which you can expect to undertake between 35 and 40 hours of independent study each week.

Here at DMU we provide excellent learning resources and research environment, including the Kimberlin Library, specialist workshops and studios, and a wide range of research seminars and training. However, you should be aware that sometimes you may incur additional costs associated with your dissertation, which will vary depending on the nature of your research. You are encouraged to consider these as you develop your dissertation proposal, and to discuss what they may be with your supervisor.

Learn more about postgraduate fees and funding information.

Fees and funding are subject to change.