Module manager: Alison Toop
Email: A.R.Toop@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 |
| PRHS3001 | Integrated Research Project in Philosophy, Religion or Histo |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This final year project module provides you with the opportunity to observe the work of a locally based external organisation and produce an analysis that identifies the relevance of your degree subject to this non-academic context. Students will be required to apply for specific placements, which could be with a public, private or third sector local organisation. Placements will be allocated on a competitive basis by the module leader. Academic performance to date, as well as other relevant skills and experience, will be taken into account.
This module aims to enable you to identify, use, and reflect on your relevant degree-related knowledge and skills in a non-academic environment.
You will gain experience of the work of a non-academic organisation in the public, private, or third sector where you will apply your subject-specific knowledge and skills in a relevant way to the work of that organisation to acquire a broad and deep understanding of the contemporary relevance of your degree subject(s).
Your project output will formulate an independent line of argument that reflects your stance on the relevance of your academic knowledge and skills to the work of the non-academic organisation.
You will be supported in achieving these objectives throughout the module by your placement leader and academic supervisor. You will also have module seminars in which you will receive guidance on planning and undertaking your work.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Apply subject-specific knowledge and/or research skills to the work of a non-academic organisation.
2. Critically evaluate subject-specific debates and issues that arise in non-academic contexts.
3. Present their work in the academic style of scholarship in the appropriate discipline (philosophy, religion or history of science).
4. Communicate relevant subject-specific knowledge to a non-specialist audience.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
5. Critically reflect on the relevance of their degree subject to a real-world context (Academic and Work Ready Skill).
6. Plan and execute a piece of independent research (Academic and Work Ready skill).
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Seminars | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Fieldwork | 1 | 60 | 60 |
| Private study hours | 331 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 69 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400 | ||
Students will have the opportunity to submit four reflective logs as formative assessments. There will be suggested topics to guide students to think about their progress with the module, placement, and assessments. They will receive feedback on (e.g.): identifying and reflecting on an area where their degree subject is relevant to their non-academic organisation; communicating with non-academic audiences; planning their dissertation; planning their presentation.
Students will have the opportunity to submit a partial draft (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 seminars and 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 | 80 |
| Oral Presentation | Presentation | 20 |
| 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 essay using the same brief as the presentation.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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