Description

Dissertation with International Internship

Description - summary of the module content

Module description

The dissertation requires you to pursue a programme of independent and original research of your determination on a topic commensurate with themes relevant to your programme of study. It is the single largest piece of work you will do on the programme, and allows you to demonstrate that you can undertake – with appropriate guidance and supervision – your own independent, high quality and substantial research into a subject of your choice, drawing on relevant literature and theory. You will undertake a 3-month internship during the third term to join an international organisation or NGO such as UNEP, GIWEH, Trial International or FAO amongst others. You will work and be supervised by both members of the organisation and a member of staff at Exeter. This unique opportunity will enable you to improve your research skills and enhance your in depth knowledge in a chosen field whilst working alongside practitioners and policy makers in an international context.

Module aims - intentions of the module

You will deliver a programme of work that is agreed with the organisation in an area related to sustainable development policy and practice. The topic of the dissertation must fit with the partner organisation, be agreed with relevant staff and should be original and theoretically informed. The dissertation aims to further your skills in critically analysing a sustainability issue and proposing practical solutions to it whilst referring to the broader literature and theory.  The dissertation will involve providing a context of the internship and tasks undertaken, presenting the issues of the work in terms of sustainability, providing an academic reflection on these issues and concluding with a reflection on the added value of the internship for the intern and for the host organisation.

The module aims to increase your transferrable and employability skills, including:

• practical skills (environmental and social impact assessment tools)
• problem-solving (linking theory to practice, responding to novel and unfamiliar problems)
• managing structure (identifying key demands of tasks),
• audience awareness (presenting ideas effectively, responding to questions) by critically discussing practical case studies and reflecting on stakeholder viewpoints.

The dissertation is an example of applied learning that is research-led and puts employability at the heart of the module, giving you an opportunity to design, plan and carry out an interview on a research-led theme related to sustainability science. The module will draw explicitly on the convenor, the partner organisations and his/her team staff’s transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary methodological expertise in sustainability research.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Collect, collate and prioritise data from disparate sources
• 2. Independently select appropriate methodologies to research problems
• 3. Critically analyse and integrate both primary and secondary data (where appropriate) in a coherent manner using appropriate research techniques and methods
• 4. Work independently within a defined timeframe

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Apply conceptual and theoretical arguments in the discussion of issues
• 6. Critically analyse issues in different geographical locations around the globe
• 7. Synthesise material from a broad range of relevant areas and associated literature in order to address specific research questions
• 8. Identify and apply appropriate methodologies in the context of wider research
• 9. Undertake research in a rigorous and ethically sound manner
• 10. Demonstrate a self-reflective approach to learning

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 11. Communicate effectively subject based knowledge and academic and research skills in writing and orally
• 12. Identify and solve problems
• 13. Organise and effectively present material and ideas in different formats
• 14. Manage deadlines and targets
• 15. Learn independently

Syllabus plan

Syllabus plan

You will have the opportunity to discuss dissertation ideas before your internship within the transdisciplinary research methods for sustainability science module and also in dissertation module introductory lectures where you will meet staff to hear about their interests and possible project ideas. You will formulate your detailed dissertation proposal and risk assessment and ethics forms following discussion with relevant staff. This will help you in applying for and securing an internship and designing an appropriate programme of work. Internships are competitive and are not guaranteed. If an internship is not secured then you will switch to an international research placement.

As well as having a host supervisor for your internship, a dissertation supervisor at Exeter will also be allocated on the basis of the research proposal and will offer specific advice on the research topic and monitor your progress through contact via meetings before your internship, telephone discussions, conference or email. The development of your ideas and research project design will be informed by undertaking a critical review of relevant literature. In term 3 you will be expected to arrange meetings with your internship supervisor whilst overseas on an individual basis. Writing up will take place in June and July, with completion and hand-in of a dissertation reporting on your analytical work due in August.

Learning and teaching

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Assessment

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Re-assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to resubmit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

Resources

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Bell, J (2005) Doing Your Research Project: A guide for first-time researchers in education, health and social science, Open University Press.
• Bernard, H.R. (2011) Research Methods in Anthropology: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, AltaMira Press.
• Burns, R (2000) Introduction to Research Methods, Sage.
• Clifford, N and Valentine, G (2003) Key Methods in Geography, Sage.
• Cook, I and Crang, M (1995) Doing Ethnographies, Sage.
• Cresswell, J (2003) Research Design: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, Sage.
• Gillham, B (2000) Developing a Questionnaire, Continuum.
• Peter, J (2000) Analysing Public Policy, Continuum.
• Rose, G. (2001) Visual Methodologies, Sage.
• Wheeler, D, Shaw, G and Barr, S (2004) Statistical Techniques in Geographical Analysis, Fulton.

Module has an active ELE page

Key words search

Independent, research, data sources, theoretical, study, time management, problem solving, research design, research, methodology, arguments