The most important element of the Honours Degree and Postgraduate Diploma, the history dissertation involves writing a research thesis of between 16,000 and 20,000 words on a subject of the student's own choice, based on primary sources. These sources may be printed or published, or archival, depending on the topic chosen. The dissertation offers a comprehensive training in research skills and methods and requires you to submit a short thesis based on primary sources that meets professional standards of argument, documentation and presentation. The successful completion of one of these projects is regarded as the principal research qualification for those who may wish to proceed to MA study or beyond. Employers seeking evidence of substantial self-discipline also regard completion of these projects highly.
About this paper
| Paper title | Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Subject | History |
| EFTS | 0.5 |
| Points | 60 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Full Year
(On campus)
1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 9 July 2027) (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $4,181.00 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Pre or Corequisite
- 48 300-level HIST points
- Limited to
- BA(Hons), PGDipArts
- Eligibility
- Enrolments for this paper require departmental permission.
View more information about departmental permission. - Contact
Professor Mark Seymour - mark.seymour@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- Teaching staff
Co-ordinator: Professor Mark Seymour
- Textbooks
Course materials will be made available electronically.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Environmental literacy, Information literacy.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Specific learning objectives of the dissertation include:
- The development of the capacity to work independently
- The refinement of skills in accessing and evaluating information
- The capacity to analyse material in a logical and coherent manner
- The articulation of ideas in the form of an extended academic discourse
- The development of habits of scholarship, in particular the ability to set high standards, to be self-critical, to critique sources and to prepare and present material of publication standard
The most important element of the Honours Degree and Postgraduate Diploma, the history dissertation involves writing a research thesis of between 16,000 and 20,000 words on a subject of the student's own choice, based on primary sources. These sources may be printed or published, or archival, depending on the topic chosen.
The dissertation offers comprehensive training in research skills and methods and requires you to submit a short thesis based on primary sources that meets professional standards of argument, documentation and presentation. The successful completion of one of these projects is regarded as the principal research qualification for those who may wish to proceed to MA study or beyond. Employers seeking evidence of substantial self-discipline also regard completion of these projects highly.
About this paper
| Paper title | Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Subject | History |
| EFTS | 0.5 |
| Points | 60 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Full Year
(On campus)
1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 9 June 2028) (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Pre or Corequisite
- 48 300-level HIST points
- Limited to
- BA(Hons), PGDipArts
- Eligibility
Enrolments for this paper require departmental permission
- Contact
Semester 1: Professor Angela Wanhalla
Semester 2: Associate Professor Miranda Johnson
- More information link
- Teaching staff
Co-ordinators:
Professor Angela Wanhalla
Associate Professor Miranda Johnson- Textbooks
Course materials will be made available electronically.
- Course outline
The course outline will be available on Aoroa.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Environmental literacy, Information literacy.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Specific learning objectives of the dissertation include:
- The development of the capacity to work independently.
- The refinement of skills in accessing and evaluating information.
- The capacity to analyse material in a logical and coherent manner.
- The articulation of ideas in the form of an extended academic discourse.
- The development of habits of scholarship, in particular, the ability to set high standards, to be self-critical, to critique sources and to prepare and present material of publication standard.