Module manager: Victor Durà-Vilà
Email: V.Dura-Vila@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
| PRHS3000 | Independent Research Project in Philosophy, Religion or Hist |
| PRHS3700 | External Placement: Beyond the University |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This dissertation module provides the opportunity for you to undertake independent research to gain an in-depth understanding of a specific topic related to your programme, and develop your own view of the topic. In Semester 1, you will study a supporting module from your programme, where you’ll develop the subject knowledge relevant to your extended essay which will be written in semester 2, with guidance from a supervisor.
The main objective is for you to create your own piece of independent research, building on the understanding and skills you’ve developed in other modules in your programme and specifically the understanding developed in your supporting module. Through the provision of a supporting module, this version of the final year project enables you to write your project on a subject you haven’t previously studied in depth.
To achieve this, you will:
A) Attend lectures and seminars for the supporting module, taking advantage of teaching materials provided by that module.
B) Research and identify appropriate source material for yourself because, although you will benefit from the reading list of your supporting module, you will be encouraged to do your own bibliographic searches.
C) Synthesise understanding, concepts and arguments.
D) Develop an independent approach to your topic, which will include recognition of and response to possible objections to your argument and analysis.
You will be allocated a supervisor who will provide feedback on your scholarship and work, and advice on how develop an independent argument and analysis in the appropriate style of scholarship for your discipline.
In addition, there are lecture sessions on how to plan and undertake an independent research project.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
LO1: Undertake independent research in a programme-relevant topic.
LO2: Exhibit advanced scholarship through accurate exposition and critical analysis of source material.
LO3: Formulate a rigorous independent argument presented in the academic style of scholarship appropriate to the subject (philosophy, religion or history of science).
LO4: Communicate research ideas effectively to an academic audience and respond thoughtfully to questions.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
LO5: Communicate ideas and understanding clearly and concisely, using language and structure appropriately tailored to the intended audience. (Academic and Work Ready skill)
LO6: Search for, synthesise and critically evaluate appropriate primary and secondary source material to support knowledge and analysis of topics (Academic, Work Ready and Digital skill)
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Lectures | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Private study hours | 394 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 6 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400 | ||
The presentation, while summative, provides formative feedback at an early stage in the project that will inform the development of the final written work.
For the dissertation component, students will have the opportunity to submit a partial draft of up to two thirds of the dissertation which will receive feedback on the extent to which they have developed an independent argument in the appropriate style of scholarship, and advice on how to improve their work.
Their progress is monitored through attendance at and contribution to the supervision meetings during which they are also provided with feedback on their understanding, ideas and analysis.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay or Dissertation | Dissertation | 70 |
| Oral Presentation | Presentation | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Dissertation: Students undertaking a resit are required to submit an amended version of their original submission. Presentation: Resit is by the same methodology, but the resit attempt must be taken prior to writing the dissertation.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team