Dissertations

1. Dissertations Aims: independent work in-depth exploration of a topic problem solving employability skills

2. Choice of Topic • No right or wrong topic: focus on a question • Feasibility: Supervisor and Primary sources • Primary sources • Secondary sources – critical thinking • Looking forwards: relevance to further research or job

3. Examples of Topics • The monetization of the Roman countryside in the imperial period • The Food Supply of the Imperial Roman Army • Alexander the Great & the Greeks • Did the ancient world care about skin colour? • Homeric simile: Misogyny & Androgyny in Odyssey • Homeric myth in the progymnasmata of Libanius • The Use Of Ancient Greek Tragedy Within Shakespeare • Greek Mathematics: The debate between Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Geometry

4. Essays vs Dissertations • Essay deadlines are important • Use intermediary deadlines as an opportunity to work regularly • Avoid working on dissertation at the last minute • Dissertation topic vs. an essay topic • Dissertation topic is yours to shape as you see fit • Set aside regular slots for dissertation work

5. Time Management • Dissertation Deadlines • Make decisions and stick to them • Go to the Library, read, take notes • Regular Contact with your supervisor • By Term 1: one Chapter • By Week 6 of Term 2: Draft of the whole dissertation

6. Procrastination • Writing a dissertation takes time! • Time to think vs Time to write • BUT you need something to think about • SO write first and then think it through • If you are stuck, talk things through with someone • Go back to the definition of your topic (what are you trying to do?)

7. Analysis • Challenging topic = interesting Topic • Do not be too ambitious • Define topic • Work-in-progress: from small sub-sections to larger sections • A ‘simple’ analysis is enough • Stick to the primary sources in the first instance • Avoid generalisation before analysing the sources

8. Clarity of expression and style • Resources on Dept website & handbook https://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/classics/students/guidance/ • Training in academic writing: https://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/skills/academicwriting • Read aloud what you have written • Clarity of expression = clarity of thought • Are you sure you have a clear idea of what you wish to show? • Dangers of ‘probability’

9. Topic and Dissertation • It is YOUR dissertation • It will be what you make of it • You are free to focus on one perspective or approach • You are free to focus on one set of sources provided you justify it • You will be able to find alternative ways of dealing with the topic if you encounter issues such as lack of sources

10. If you “hate” your topic… • An interesting topic is always challenging • Modify perspective/approach rather than topic • Your topic will not be ‘rejected’ • You will get feedback on feasibility of topic • You can change topic—deadline 25 January • Make sure you have good reasons to change topic • Communicate with supervisor

11. Oral Presentation and Powerpoint • Use support provided (Tues 9th Jan) • Opportunity to get extra feedback • Opportunity to formulate your thoughts and identify gaps in your analysis • Feedback from peers and an academic • You will not be judged! • Importance of transferrable skills in presenting yourself

12. Submission and Tabula • Intermediary deadlines: • What to do if Tabula crashes: copy by email & printout to the office by the deadline • Final deadline: submit well on time • Anticipate problems (printer, Tabula, traffic, etc.) • Final deadline: you MUST submit a hard copy of the dissertation

13. Why submit a hard copy? • Satisfaction • Allows you to check everything is as it should be (illustrations, footnotes, bibliography) • Easier for it to be marked properly

14. Why at end of spring term? • Allows you to focus on revision for exams • Triple marking

15. Stress and Illness • Stress: communicate with supervisor • Time Management key • Illness: communicate with supervisor • Applying for extensions • You can expect support from us