| CODE | ACA5066 | ||||||
| TITLE | Dissertation | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 80 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Arts, Open Communities and Adult Education | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This is a thirty thousand word dissertation focusing on a specific area of inquiry in adult education examined at a certain depth. While students are encouraged to pursue an original piece of research, an in depth and thorough examination of an area in which the student makes use of existing knowledge, putting it together in a coherent and solid piece, where 'tightness' is the special requirement, is also acceptable. This is generally the case with MA conditions worldwide. The literature perused and engaged with must be up to date including established 'classics' in the field and some of the latest works based on cutting edge research. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit aims to provide: 1. A practical exercise in developing research and writing skills, whilst contributing original findings/perspectives to the area being researched; 2. Examination of the nexus between theory and practice in the fields of adult and continuing education; and 3. Critical appraisal and application of a variety of research methodologies. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Review concepts, theories and schools of thought that are relevant to the specific topic; 2. Explain the research methodology applied to the particular research problem; and 3. Discuss various strengths and limitations associated with the employed methodology. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Formulate relevant and succinct research questions or research problem; 2. Plan a feasible, valid and reliable research design; 2. Employ relevant research tools to gather and analyze data; and 3. Write a researched dissertation that makes a contribution to the study of adult and continuing education that is commensurate to the level of the programme of studies. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Depends on the area of research. 1. Brookfield, S.D (2005) The power of Critical Theory for Adult Learning and Teaching, Open University Press 2. Elias, John and Merriam, Sharon (2004) Philosophical Foundations of Adult Education (3rd edition) Krieger 3. English, Leona and Mayo Peter (2012) Learning with Adults. A critical Pedagogical Introduction, Brill-Sense 4. Milana Marcella, Webb, Sue, Holford John, Waller, Richard, Jarvis, Peter (2018) The Palgrave International Handbook on Adult and Lifelong Education and Learning, Palgrave Macmillan |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | **September Assessment Session: Students who fail to obtain an overall pass mark will be re-examined in the Dissertation. However, the resit availability for the Oral Examination is at the discretion of the Board of Examiners. | ||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Dissertation | ||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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