The dissertation is the independent exploration of a topic which you choose because it particularly interests you. Its final form will be a 4,000-6,000 (History Dissertation/one semester) or 7,000-10,000 (Extended Dissertation) word essay, carefully organized and based on sustained thought and considerable reading.

Your topic must be a design topic, broadly defined. This means that whatever else it contains, it must have a strong three dimensional, spatial focus. Thus ‘Space in Painting’ or ‘Texts as Architecture’…

Lectures & Seminars

A series of short lectures by tutors on mixed but broadly pertinent topics. These will treat subjects of particular interest to the lecturers which exemplify approaches and structures relevant to the idea of a dissertation.

Lectures run on Mondays 2.00-3.00pm, from 8-22 October

The aim of the seminars is to broaden your thinking about the dissertation and to remind you how various the options are. The seminars tackle various practical issues such as defining the boundaries of a topic, structuring one’s thinking, carrying out research and developing writing skills.

Course Dates

1 October, 2pm - Introductory Seminar

8 October, 2pm - Lecture | 3pm & 4pm - Seminar 1: ‘Topics’
Hand in your topic sheet. A general look at classes of subject. In the past students’ topics have ranged widely; dissertations in one recent year examined cultural phases like Deconstruction or the Baroque, conceptual developments like perspective or technological change, the nature of cities or creativity, specific forms (megaliths, mosques, theme parks) and concepts like collage imported into architecture and interior design from outside.

15 October, 2pm - Lecture | 3pm & 4pm - Seminar 2: ‘Research & Structure’ | 5pm Introduction to Library Resources
Ordering your thoughts at different scales. How to keep track of what you collect and how to structure it into the final form: spray diagrams, outlines and other modes of planning. How many valid kinds of structure are there and at what point should you fix on one? What are appropriate sources and how do you find them? What are legitimate uses of other people’s ideas, and what is intellectual independence?

22 October, 2pm - Lecture | 3pm & 4pm - Seminar 3: ‘Approaches’
Required reading: short extracts from four writers on architecture and design chosen to suggest the whole range of possible relations to your subject. Followed by meeting of tutor groups and allocation of first tutorials. | Download seminar readings (pdf 1.2mb) »

AD3P01N History Dissertation Deadline: 14 January 2008

AD3021N Extended Dissertation Deadline: 7 April 2008