LI5901: Dissertation in Comparative Literature

LI5901: DISSERTATION IN COMPARATIVE LITERATURE (2024-2025)

Last modified: 20 Jun 2025 15:06

Course Overview

The dissertation project is a key component of the MLitt programme. Students complete a significant piece of independent research under the supervision of a specialist in a relevant area.

Course Details

Study Type	Postgraduate	Level	5
Term	Third Term	Credit Points	60 credits (30 ECTS credits)
Campus	Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Dr Tara Beaney Dr Fransiska Louwagie

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

One of LI5002 Comparative Literary Studies (Studied) or LI5503 Specialised Literary Study 1 (Studied) or LI5504 Specialised Literary Study 2 (Studied)
Master of Letters in Comparative Literature
Any Postgraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

Each candidate will be required to research and write a 15,000 word dissertation on a comparative literary topic, drawing on skills and knowledge developed during the first two semesters of the programme. This is an opportunity to undertake a significant piece of independent research with the guidance of a supervisor.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 21st September 2026 for Term 1 and Full Year courses and 8th January 2027 for Term 2 courses.

Summative Assessments

Project Report/Dissertation

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	90
Assessment Weeks	4	Feedback Weeks	7	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	Word Count: 15,000 Written feedback will be provided

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Apply	Synthesize knowledge and skills gained in comparative literary studies and apply these to an in-depth study
Procedural	Create	Manage and complete a major project within a given time frame
Procedural	Create	Communicate research findings effectively in an extended piece of scholarly writing, demonstrated in the final thesis

Project Plan, Summary or Abstract

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	10
Assessment Weeks	46	Feedback Weeks	47	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	Word Count: 1,000 Written and/or oral feedback will be provided

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Procedural	Create	Plan and propose a significant piece of independent research

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Project Report/Dissertation

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	100
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	Written feedback will be provided

Learning Outcomes

Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on or with the Course Coordinator
Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Apply	Synthesize knowledge and skills gained in comparative literary studies and apply these to an in-depth study
Procedural	Create	Plan and propose a significant piece of independent research
Procedural	Create	Manage and complete a major project within a given time frame
Procedural	Create	Communicate research findings effectively in an extended piece of scholarly writing, demonstrated in the final thesis

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