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A supervised research dissertation of up to 20,000 words on an approved topic.
ANTH 590 is an individual research project on an approved topic under the supervision
of one or more members of staff, culminating in the submission of a dissertation of
no more than 20,000 words. This dissertation comprises a substantial portion of the
work necessary for completion of the coursework option for the Master of Arts degree.
Choosing your topic is one of the most challenging and rewarding decisions
that you will have to make during your degree. It will depend on the kind of interests
you have developed in Anthropology, the availability of supervisors with appropriate
expertise, and practicability given the time constraints of the degree. Please review
the list of staff members and areas of interest on the separate Programmes of Social
Anthropology and Archaeology websites. It is required that you consult with appropriate
staff before enrolment.
In Archaeology it is usually not possible to undertake
primary excavation research for a dissertation unless you have made prior arrangements
with a supervisor. Otherwise, laboratory analyses of previously excavated assemblages
may be undertaken. Equally valid are projects based around the analysis of primary
documentary sources on aspects of past cultures or critical reviews of literature
on aspects of archaeological heritage management and applications of new technologies
to archaeological issues.
In Social Anthropology, potential topics range
from library-based studies based on primary and/or secondary sources to research involving
fieldwork using one or a number of the many different methods used in field research
(for example, participant observation, formal interviews, unobtrusive methods). The
supervision that is provided by the Programme will enable you to gain valuable first-hand
experience in doing social research. Fieldwork involving human subjects requires ethical
approval from the University Ethics Committee; your supervisor will advise you about
this.
The dissertation offers comprehensive training in research skills
and methods and requires you to meet professional standards of argument, documentation
and presentation. The successful completion of one of these projects is regarded as
the principal research qualification for further study, and employers seeking evidence
of substantial self-discipline also regard completion of these projects highly.
| Paper title | Research Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Paper code | ANTH590 |
| Subject | Anthropology |
| EFTS | 0.5 |
| Points | 60 points |
| Teaching period(s) | 1st Non standard period (1 March 2021 - 25 February 2022)
(On campus)
2nd Non standard period (5 July 2021 - 24 June 2022) (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $4,139.50 |
| International Tuition Fees (NZD) | $11,356.00 |
- Limited to
- MA
- Eligibility
- All students enrolled for the coursework option for the Master of Arts are required to complete the ANTH 590 dissertation. Students who have completed a BA majoring in Anthropology with at least a B+ average can apply to enrol in this degree.
- Contact
tim.thomas@otago.ac.nz for Archaeology
hannah.bulloch@otago.ac.nz for Social Anthropology
- More information link
Please visit the Programme of Archaeology
Please visit the Programme of Social Anthropology
- Teaching staff
All academic staff
- Paper Structure
- Preparation of dissertation
- Teaching Arrangements
- Weekly meetings with supervisor(s)
- Textbooks
- There are no specific textbooks, but reading relevant to the topic is essential.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship,
Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy,
Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- Satisfactory completion of this paper will be shown by presentation of a dissertation
that demonstrates that the student is able to:
- Develop an appropriate research problem and plan and conduct an investigation relevant to the discipline of Anthropology.
- Undertake a literature review that places the topic within a wider field of knowledge.
- Critically analyse a body of knowledge relevant to the research problem.
- Select, justify and apply appropriate research method(s) to the research problem.
- Analyse, present, and discuss findings meaningfully.
- Prepare a written report on the project in ways appropriate to the discipline.
