Postgraduate Course: Approaches to Research in Divinity and Religious Studies (DIVI11011)
Course Outline
| School | School of Divinity |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course is designed to introduce postgraduate students in the School of Divinity to the research culture of the School, the norms of the different disciplines within Divinity and Religious Studies, and the resources available in the School (including library and computing facilities). It will also address critical thinking, critical reading, how to write a research essay, make presentations, thesis supervision, and the ethics of research.
The course is aimed at three different groups: Taught Masters students on all School of Divinity Masters programmes; Research Masters students; those first year PhD students who have not done a Masters programme at New College. The PhD students should audit the course; all Masters students are required to take it for credit. |
| Course description |
Academic Description:
This course, for postgraduates who are starting out on their programme, provides an introduction to the Graduate School in Divinity, and to the research culture across the School of Divinity. It is part of a larger pattern of provision, within the School and University, to develop academic and transferable skills, and to support career development, for postgraduates.
Syllabus/Outline Content:
In the first session, the Director of Postgraduate Studies and key staff from subject areas and research centres in the School introduce the research culture of the School and opportunities for research training, and outline the structures of the British postgraduate system. Subsequent sessions focus on a variety of topics, designed to mentor students on the resources and skills for postgraduate work: library and IT resources; how to get the most out of research supervision (for a research degree or in the taught masters dissertation); the ethics of research; effective academic writing; critical reading, critical thinking; how to make a strong presentation; opportunities for career development and for making the most of transferable skills.
Student Learning Experience Information:
This 10-credit course is taught in a full-day workshop and three two-hour sessions at the start of Semester 1. It is team-taught by a variety of academic staff, under the oversight of the Director of Postgraduate Studies. By completing the written assignment (a book review in their chosen field) Masters students will demonstrate their achievement of intended learning outcomes. PhD and MPhil students audit the course. Many of the classes are plenary sessions for all students, but on some occasions parallel sessions run for research and taught postgraduates.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2023/24, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 12,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
86 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
100% - Summative: A review article of 1000 words
0% - Formative: 500 word assignment, due in week 4, in preparation for the review article |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Identify norms and academic expectations within their chosen discipline, in relation to a book selected for critical review.
- Demonstrate an ability to use library and IT resources, through research for their written assignment.
- Work independently, producing an assignment to a deadline and within a word limit.
- Construct written work that demonstrates critical reading and critical thinking, and an ability to present a coherent and well-crafted argument.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Matthew Novenson
Tel: (0131 6)50 8942
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Rachel Dutton
Tel: (0131 6)50 7227
Email: |
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