Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Viewing | 10 x 3 Hour Viewings |
| Seminar | 10 x 2 Hour Seminars |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Dissertation (15,000 words) | 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Resit of Dissertation (15,000) on a different topic | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Display a transferable, systematic understanding of the tasks of formulating an answerable research question
2. Design and implement some securely grounded, comprehensive research procedures
3. Demonstrate an advanced ability to analyse the results of such procedures
4. Relate such research to a broad range of up-to-date thinking and knowledge in the field of film studies or television studies
Aims
The aim of the module is to offer students an opportunity to produce a substantial piece of academic writing, relating to the topics covered during the MA Film Studies course and the MA Scriptwriting course and demonstrating capacities for research and advanced scholarship.
Brief description
Students will be asked to begin thinking about their dissertation topic (and its associated research question and methods) in the semester 1 core module TFM4620 Research Methods in Film and Television Studies. Their second assignment for TFM4620 is a dissertation proposal, which will then inform the allocation of an appropriate supervisor, based on expertise related to the proposed topic and methods. A total of six hours of supervision time (whether face-to-face, via email and skype, or via group tutorials) is given to each student, to be arranged with the supervisor on an individual basis. Supervisors can read and comment on up to one third (maximum) of a student's draft dissertation.
Content
Under supervision of an appropriate member of staff, the student will write a dissertation of 15,000 words on a topic agreed with the supervisor.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | N/A |
| Communication | Students will be expected to discuss their dissertation and its progress with their supervisor (in tutorial sessions), and to ensure that their dissertation is written in a clear and effective way. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | In tutorials, students will be expected to critically reflect on their own readings and preparatory research, and on how their dissertation plans are progressing. In addition, students will be expected to develop their motivation, organization and time-management skills, by planning their work on the dissertation and the drafting of chapters, and by keeping in regular contact with their supervisors (through the arrangement of tutorial meetings). |
| Information Technology | Students will be encouraged to use the web and the numerous e-learning resources within the library, in order to search for and locate journal articles and other primary materials that may have relevance to their dissertation. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Students will be encouraged to develop their research, writing, learning and organizational skills. These attributes will feed into their development as effective researchers, which will be particularly suited for an academic career or a career within the field of media arts. |
| Problem solving | This element is developed through students considering, throughout the time they are working on their dissertation, what might be the appropriate methodologies to employ in order to research their dissertation topic and address their dissertation research question, and what might be the practical issues and demands associated with employing such methods. By problematizing the perception of what constitutes good and effective research, the students will have to think differently about their dissertations and the questions and issues they will need to tackle in order to plan and carry out their dissertation research. |
| Research skills | This element is developed through students identifying, during the time they are working on their dissertation, the most appropriate research methods and procedures to employ in order to answer their research question and then applying these in a clear and effective way throughout their dissertation. It is also developed through students researching relevant literature relating to their dissertation and its methods, and identifying the key literature that will inform and academically ground their dissertation. |
| Subject Specific Skills | |
| Team work | Students will be expected to work with their supervisor, to arrange tutorials and plan their dissertation work, to share and negotiate ideas and opinions on methods and relevant readings, and to reflect on and share ideas about their developing dissertation plans. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7