Dissertation

Description:

Senior Sophister Students are required to write a dissertation of 15,000 words (inclusive of endnotes/footnotes and bibliography). The subject of the dissertation should be discussed with the potential supervisor in the second semester of the Junior Sophister year. Once a topic is agreed upon students are to submit the following to the Junior Sophister Year Head by the end of the second semester: (1) A clear and concise thesis statement; (2) A short summary of approximately 100-150; and (3) A short indicative bibliography
Students meet with their supervisor for approximately five tutorial sessions during the course of preparing their dissertation. Dissertations are to be submitted in either hard or soft bound copies to the Executive Officer of the Loyola Institute by the last day of Hilary Term.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

• Devise, develop and complete an intellectually challenging research project related to their field of study, within a set timeframe, and with limited guidance from a supervisor.
• Assimilate and selectively apply concepts, theories, methods and subject-specific terminology used in field of biblical and theological studies.
• Sustain a coherent argument that draws on an engagement with and critical appraisal of existing knowledge relevant to their research project.
• Relate their specific research topic to wider issues, debates and concerns in the general field of biblical and theological studies.
• Reflect on and self-critically manage their own learning in the context of limited access to constructive feedback.