Welcome to the Medieval Language, Literature and Culture (M.Phil.)
Assessment
The assessment procedure is defined below. It requires that students should pass all three elements of the course, namely core courses, options, and dissertation. The pass-mark is 50%. All submitted work is marked by two internal examiners and is open to the scrutiny of the external(s). The examination board will include all members of staff who contribute to the course, and, because of the diversity of subjects covered, one or two external examiners. Students may be examined by viva voce at the discretion of the examination board.
Core Courses
Students will take 4 core courses which will be assessed as follows:
Research Methodology: bibliographical essay (up to 3000 words), to be submitted by the Monday of week seven of Michaelmas term; three-hour examination in palaeography, in the week following the end of Michaelmas term, for which standardized reference works will be provided.
Language: assessment by examination. Students will be examined in language at the end of Michaelmas Term.
Medieval Culture and Society: essay 3000-5000 words. To be submitted on the first Monday of Hilary Term.
Medieval Thought: examination to be taken following the end of Hilary Term.
NB. Failure to meet the required standard even after resitting examinations and/or resubmitting work will mean that the student cannot proceed to the dissertation, and shall be deemed to have failed the M.Phil. .
Options
One essay of 5000 words per option to be submitted at the end of Hilary Term. Please consult the handbook for submission dates in any given year.
Students may not compensate between elements within this assessment category.
Candidates may not compensate between core-course assessment and option assessment.
Dissertation
Candidates will submit a research dissertation for examination. During Hilary Term, students should discuss their proposed topic with their prospective supervisor, and submit a title, a 500-word synopsis, and a bibliography to the course co-ordinator. Approval for the dissertation to be undertaken is at the discretion of the M.Phil. Teaching Committee which will convene to discuss the proposals, and will give its decision by the Friday of Week 9 of Hilary Term.
The dissertation will be 15,000 to 20,000 words in length, and should show evidence of original research. No compensation will be permitted between the research dissertation and in-course assessment. The dissertation will be submitted on the last day of August in the academic year of enrolment. Should the dissertation be rejected by the internal and external examiners following a viva voce examination, then the procedure for resubmission will be in accordance with College guidelines.