Introductory description

A dissertation is a 10,000 word piece of original research based upon a topic that you decide in consultation with your supervisor. A dissertation is a great opportunity to explore a topic that you are interested in, but has not been covered elsewhere on the course, or for you to follow up in more depth on an aspect of film or television covered earlier in the degree that you have found particularly interesting.

You will work independently, guided by a supervisor who is a specialist in your chosen area, to undertake a research project in film and television studies. This is a wonderful opportunity to consolidate the academic and transferable skills that you have gained during your studies: literature searching, textual analysis, using archives, using secondary sources. The module also includes an undergraduate symposium day, where students present their work-in-progress to their peers and staff in the Department. The dissertation module includes a series of training workshops including presentation skills and writing a review of literature.

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.

Second Year (Summer term)

Week 2, MondayNotice indicating successful applications and naming supervisors is given.
Week 9 Lecture/workshop: ‘How to Research and Structure your Dissertation’. All those doing the dissertation option must attend this. The workshop will outline how to structure the dissertation and address ways of researching and writing up the literature review, which will be undertaken over the summer holiday period.
Weeks 9 and 10 Following the lecture/workshop, contact your supervisor and arrange a meeting to discuss your dissertation and proposed work over the summer holiday period. First Supervisory Meeting

Finalist Year (Autumn Term)

Week 2, Monday Review of Literature and draft structure submitted to supervisor Second Supervisory Meeting
Week 4, Date to be confirmed Workshop on presentation skills with Rachel Moseley in preparation for the Symposium in week 8. Students must attend one skills workshop in either week 4 or week 5.
Week 5, Date to be confirmed Workshop on presentation skills, Rachel Moseley.
Week 7, Monday Draft chapter submitted to supervisor. Discuss any issues arising with the forthcoming presentation. Third Supervisory Meeting
Week 8, Date to be confirmed. Symposium: students to give 10 minute presentations on their research topics and progress to date.
Week 9, Monday Arrange to meet your supervisor to discuss issues arising from the presentation and gain an overview of your term’s progress. Fourth Supervisory Meeting

Finalist Year (Spring Term)

Week 3 Second draft chapter submitted to supervisor Fifth Supervisory Meeting
Week 5 Final meeting with the supervisor to pick up any final issues/problems before submission. Supervisors are not normally expected to read a full draft of the dissertation at this stage. Sixth Supervisory Meeting
Week 7, Monday 12 noon: Dissertation Submission Deadline.
Week 11, Monday Dissertation marks returned

Learning outcomes

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

• By the end of the module, students will have a sound understanding of the processes in:- developing a research topic and questions- planning and structuring a longer piece of research and writing- synthesising larger amounts of material- working on drafts and developing them towards a final piece

Research element

The dissertation is a longer, independently researched piece of assessed work

Subject specific skills

This module develops skills of audio-visual literacy, through close textual and/or contextual analysis in relation to the moving image and sound. It may also develops understandings of historical, theoretical and conceptual frameworks relevant to screen arts and cultures.

Transferable skills

• critical and analytical thinking in relation
• independent research skills
• team work
• clarity and effectiveness of communication, oral and written
• accurate, concise and persuasive writing
• audio-visual literacy