Introductory description

EN9C4-60 Practice-as-Research Dissertation

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

All students must take the non-credit-bearing module Introduction to Research Methods in Term 1. This module introduces students to the basic issues and procedures of literary research, including the writing process, how to construct a bibliography, finding both print and electronic resources, and writing research proposals. There will be an optional additional session for students interested in practice-as-research projects, introducing them to some of the key concepts behind practice-as-research as a methodology.

As part of the Introduction to Research Methods course students will take part in a dissertation proposal writing workshop. This will help them to think about how to frame their proposals. Students will be encouraged to look at the areas of expertise covered by staff and to use staff office hours to discuss ideas with relevant specialists and potential supervisors before finalizing their proposals.

Practice-as-research proposals – of 500-words in length – must be submitted to the module convenor by the end of Week 9 of Term 1. The convenor will ensure that each proposed project:

• is intellectually viable;
• is achievable within the stipulated time and word limits;
• is feasible given the resources;
• falls within the expertise of members of academic staff who are available to supervise it.
  Projects falling short of one or more of these criteria will be discussed with the student and reformulated. The convenor may suggest that the student moves to a written dissertation, or (where the course structure allows it) alternative modules. The convenor will then be responsible for assigning each project to a supervisor.

Students will be assigned a supervisor by the end of Week 1 of Term 2, and advised to begin work on their projects immediately.

In Term 2 each student should have two meetings with their supervisor: the first will be an introductory meeting and the second should take place before the progress report is due.

The Progress Report includes the following:

• Progress Report form
• risk assessment and any necessary ethical clearances
• an abstract of 1000 words
• a bibliography
  This Progress Report must be submitted to the Postgraduate Programmes Officer by the end of Week 9 of Term 2. The progress reports will be reviewed by both the module convenor and the relevant MA Convenor, who will contact the students in the event of any problems.

During Term 3 each student should meet with their supervisor on three occasions (spread evenly across the term). The supervisor is permitted to read one rough draft of the written component, which must be sent to them by the end of Term 3.

Where the practice-as-research component involves a performance or presentation, this must be complete by the end of Term 3. At least two markers must attend.

Students receive five supervisions for their MA dissertations, two in Term 2 and three in Term 3. Supervisions are generally around 45-60 minutes in length, but the initial two meetings may be shorter.

Face-to-face supervision concludes at the end of Term 3. Over the summer months of July and August, email contact is at the supervisor’s discretion.

The final submission is due in September.

Dissertation calendar

TERM 1

• Week 6: practice-as-research workshop
• End of Week 9: proposal due

TERM 2

• 2 meetings with supervisor
• End of Week 9: Progress Report due

TERM 3

• 3 meetings with supervisor

End of Term 3: deadline for sending a draft to supervisor.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Plan and execute a practice-as-research project in the field of literary and/or theatre and performance studies.
• Demonstrate a specialised insight into their selected topic and chosen form.
• Engage analytically with key debates and major theoretical concepts in their chosen field of literary and/or theatre and performance studies.
• Demonstrate an understanding and awareness of practice-as-research methodology, including any relevant ethical considerations.
• Locate, assess and critically analyse relevant sources of information.
• Organise, edit and present materials relating to a selected range of primary and secondary texts.
• Demonstrate writing and referencing skills appropriate to postgraduate level.

Subject specific skills

No subject specific skills defined for this module.

Transferable skills

No transferable skills defined for this module.