The dissertation is the culmination of the MA award insofar as it provides an opportunity for a student to demonstrate the full mastery of most of the award's learning outcomes. The dissertation is a major research project involving considerable scholarship, innovation in formulating and addressing an issue, and a variety of skills (learning, problem-solving and reflective) in marshalling resources towards a successful completion. Successful completion of the dissertation is among the most important signs of the ability to carry on with research in the field.

Becker, Howard S. Tricks of the Trade: How to Think About Your Research While You're Doing It .
University of Chicago, 1998.
Blaxter, et al. How to Research. Open University, 2001.
Booth, et al. The Craft of Research. University of Chicago, 2003.
Burnham, Douglas. Philosophy Research Handbook for Students. Continuum, forthcoming.
Coombes, Hilary. Research Using IT. Palgrave Macmillan, 2001.
Wisker, Gina. The Postgraduate Research Handbook. Palgrave Macmillan, 2001.

Library, IT facilities, access to supervisor

There will be two workshops at the beginning of the module (e.g. towards the end of May) which go over the expectations and assessment criteria for the dissertation, establish supervisory arrangements, and begin the process of drafting a research plan. The production of the research plan is required but not assessed (students will have been assessed on these skills in 'Recent Continental Philosophy'). Afterwards, there will be regular supervisory meetings throughout the period leading to submission.

Registered on award in Modern Continental Philosophy

An essay of this length and complexity will clearly provide a student ample opportunity to demonstrate all of the above learning outcomes. The essay completion date will be at the end of the summer months for full-time students and of semester one for part-time students.