Module manager: William Gamester
Email: W.Gamester@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: 1 Oct to 30 Sep (12mth) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
| PHIL5170M | Philosophy Dissertation |
This module is not approved as an Elective
The extended dissertation module enables you to build on the understanding, skills, and learning that you’ve developed in the other modules of the programme and use this to create your own extended piece of independent work. You will write a dissertation on a topic related to the programme and formulate a significant line of argument that reflects your own stance on the topic.
This module will provide the opportunity for you to undertake independent research in philosophy to gain an in-depth understanding of a specific topic related to the programme. You will develop an original contribution or approach to the topic, which will include recognition of and response to possible objections to your argument and approach. It will enable you to build on the understanding, skills, and learning that you’ve developed in the other modules of the programme, and synthesise understanding, concepts and arguments from different areas of philosophy.
As the work for this module will be at least 50% longer than expected for the standard dissertation module, this provides you with the opportunity to develop a broader and deeper independent thesis on your chosen topic. A greater degree of originality is expected.
You will be allocated a supervisor who will provide feedback on the your work and advice on how to develop an original and extended argument in the appropriate style of scholarship. You will choose your own topic, but topics must be approved by the Programme Director to ensure appropriate supervision is available.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Undertake extended independent research on their chosen topic.
2. Exhibit advanced scholarship through accurate exposition and advanced critical analysis of source material.
3. Formulate a rigorous and extended independent argument, that includes identification of and responses to possible objections.
4. Present their work in the academic style of scholarship in the discipline.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Plan and execute an extended piece of independent research (Academic and Work Ready skill)
2. Communicate ideas and understanding clearly and concisely, using appropriate academic language (Academic skill)
3. Critically analyse source material and demonstrate independence of thought (Academic and Work Ready skill)
4. Apply standards of academic integrity including when and how to appropriately acknowledge someone else’s work (Academic and Work Ready skill).
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 9 | 1 | 9 |
| Private study hours | 891 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 9 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 900 | ||
Students are provided with 9 hours of supervision during which their progress is monitored, and they are provided with feedback on the extent to which they have developed an original and extended line of argument in the appropriate style of scholarship and advice on how to improve.
They can submit a partial draft for feedback by the end of June. Feedback can be provided on up to two thirds of the dissertation. This can be in the form of one piece of work or smaller sections that comprise two thirds in total.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Dissertation | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
The resit will comprise an improved version of the original submission.
There is no reading list for this module
Last updated: 08/05/2025
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