To undertake a substantial body of original research in local history and present the findings in a disseration that is logically developed, well written, clearly expressed and solidly sustained by the critical apparatus of references, footnotes and bibliography.

The overall length should be approximately 21,000 words, inclusive of appendices, footnotes and bibliography but exclusive of the abstract. æApproximatelyÆ implies that some deviation may be made, but the complete work should be no more than 22,000 words or less than 20,000. Allowing about 450 to 500 words per page, the page length of the dissertation will probably fall somewhere between 40 and 55 pages. The introduction should include a review of what others have written on the issue, leading to a formulation of a research question that has not yet been dealt with by any other scholar in a satisfactory way. The introduction should include a brief survey of sources used.

On successful completion of this module students should be able to: * resolve a problem by the reconstruction of knowledge as against the reproduction of knowledge. * apply, synthesise and evaluate knowledge obtained from independent research in a wide variety of appropriate and original sources, especially primary but also secondary. * address a central research question, indicated by the dissertation title, in its entirety with all of the source material cited to be relevant. * develop a disseration structure in a logical sequence (either thematically or chronologically) from the central question, or issue, as expressed in the title and introductory chapter. * formulate and then refine the research question. * Use precise and clear language reflecting the writerÆs skills without any significant intervention by the supervisor.

On successful completion of this module students should be able to: * fully support text by the critical apparatus and modes of citation developed within the historical profession

Not Applicable

The body of the dissertation should present the results of a close examination of the primary and secondary sources assembled as relevant to the central research question. It should comprise a logical sequence of components directly relevant to the research question, either thematically or chronologically or a combination of these. The number of chapters will be determined by the principal thematic or chronological components. The student should avoid the temptation to include separate chapters on minor, tangential issues. By giving any such material a separate chapter will confer parity with material of much greater significance. In the case of relatively lengthy chapters, relevant sub-themes may be dealt with in specific sub-sections. This should set out concisely the principal significant findings of the research. It should therefore avoid presenting new material, or repeating or summarising what has already been written in the body of the dissertation and summarised in the abstract. Instead it should focus sharply on the essence of the conclusions that may be drawn.

Not Applicable