DISSERTATION:

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• DISSERTATION
• 3 YEAR PROGRAMME

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What is the dissertation?

• How is it different to an essay?
• Long, independent study
• Your project. Unique to you!
• Secondary and primary materials
• Length
• Supervision

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Who does the dissertation and what options do I
have?

• 20 credits semester one 6,500-8,000 words
• 20 credits semester two 6,500-8,000 words
• 20 credits year long 6,500-8,000 words
• 40 credits year long 12,000-15,000 words
• Politics students choice of taking the
  dissertation in ACS or Politics, or both
• Joint Film/ACS students you MUST take the 20
  credit Semester 2 option

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Choosing a topic and title

• Start thinking now!
• Dissertation Proposal Form Due in after Easter!
• What have you always been interested in?
• Adequate materials in library? (new
  topics/areas)
• Expertise of ACS staff
• ACS with Canadian Studies at least 50 Canadian
  content

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Choosing a topic and title II

• Start by choosing the area/topic
• Read around the subject before you come up with
  an exact title.
• Depth not breadth!
• Try and say something new!
• Can I change my topic?

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What we look for in the dissertation

• Independent thought and research
• Primary and secondary evidence (e.g. Historical
  documents, newspapers, letters, testimony,
  fiction, drama, film TV, art, photography,
  music...)
• Critical use of materials
• Good analysis and structure
• Sustained and focused argument-not general!
• Think about these when you are choosing your
  question!

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The dissertation year what will happen?

• Supervisions (4-6 or 6-8 meetings)
• YOUR responsibility to contact supervisor!
• Read research
• Plan and est. research objectives
• Timetable
• Interim deadlines
• Drafting and re-drafting

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Important documents/resources

• Read and download the current Dissertation
  Guidelines at
• www.nottingham.ac.uk/american/ugdocs
• Consult the Schools Dissertation Library (please
  ask the Office)

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Deadlines

• 20 credit Autumn Semester first week back after
  Xmas (ie. begin writing as soon as possible in
  term 1)
• 20 credit Year Long, Spring Semester and 40
  credit dissertations Easter periodDeadline TBA

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DISSERTATION FORMS! Return to Stuart Wright
after Easter!