Module: Research Paper in Religious Studies

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Research Paper in Religious Studies
Module Code	RET1052 (ITS: TP405)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Theology, Philosophy & Music
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module gives fourth year students (with at least a 2.1 in Religious Studies) in their first semester the opportunity to undertake a sustained research project over a substantial period. It offers the students the possibility of exploring in greater depth a topic or issue related to the Leaving Certificate Religious Syllabus. The students are required to have completed and submitted a six-thousand word essay by the end of the teaching term in the first semester of their fourth year.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1DDFF5D5-976E-0001-7DB3-19406E2A1495
2. Undertake sustained independent research on a particular topic.
4. 22,7,6,8,11,9,10
5. 1
6. 1E14A8D7-F448-0001-F0A4-92571498109C
7. Locate and evaluate information from a variety of sources, and identify the sources used appropriately.
9. 7,6,23,8,21,11,9,10
10. 2
11. 1E14A8D7-F6EA-0001-DD9E-6D401AB0100A
12. Examine texts and issues critically.
14. 7,6,8,21,11,9,10
15. 3
16. 1E14A8D7-F936-0001-7F9A-19C410001740
17. Synthesise the findings of his/her research in collaboration with a moderator.
19. 20,7,6,8,11,9,10
20. 4
21. 1E14A8D8-01F0-0001-D8AD-1AB199509100
22. Write an undergraduate thesis (6000 words), and thus contribute to the student's own academic formation and the learning of others.
24. 7,6,23,8,11,9,10
25. 5
26. 1E14A8D8-05C8-0001-D2ED-186617891DEE
27. Offer an informed perspective on the topic of his/her research paper.
29. 7,6,8,21,11,9,10
30. 6

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Independent Study	125	Student writes a 6,000 word research paper on an approved topic in Theology/Religious Studies while supervised by a member of Staff.
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11534	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Peter Admirand	Module Teacher	Férdia Stone-Davis

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Project	Research paper of not less than 6,000 words	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

NOTE
TP405 is an individually supervised module based on each student's approved topic in theology/Religious Studies so every student every year has a different topic

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None