module specification

This module allows students to explore in depth a theory or theory/practice topic of their own choice, arising out of their study at levels 4 and 5 (subject to supervisor approval). Their individual study is facilitated by a tutor assigned to the project according to subject specialism.

This module is mainly self-managed by the student with facilitation by a specialist in the chosen subject. Students’ individual work is supported by regular consultation and feedback from their tutor and peer-led workshops.

The project incorporates both formative and summative assessment. Students will present their project plan orally in a subject specific workshop and in written form to their project supervisor. The summative assessment consists of the actual project, either a written project or a film and/or performance project with outline, treatment and theoretical statement (90%) and the project management (10%).

The main aims of this module are:

• To enable students to initiate a specialist project of their own choosing, which draws on the knowledge, creative skills and the main concepts and theories introduced at levels 4 and 5.
• To allow students to consolidate and enhance their research methods and presentation skills, through theory and/or practice.
• To allow students to initiate, develop and realise distinctive and creative work in writing or in performance and visual media.
• To enable students to work independently and solve problems with facilitation from tutors and peers.
• To apply and further develop students’ organisational and planning skills in ways that correspond to the expectations of graduate employers.

The content of this module will vary according to the chosen topic. The topic will be developed from the students’ prior learning achieved on the modules at levels 4 and 5 and by the students’ areas of interest.  Students will formulate a project proposal, including aims, method and an overall research and/or practice plan. The student will project manage the work according to milestones agreed with the supervisor and s/he will shape the project according to the feedback provided and in the workshops with other students researching projects in the discipline.
 
The chosen topic must involve research, reading and reflection at a depth appropriate for a 30 credit level 6 module

The project is a piece of supervised independent learning. During the academic year, students will meet for tutor-facilitated group workshops (one per term) in order to develop their ideas in collaboration with their peers. These workshops will be continued and supported by group discussions on WebLearn. Students will meet face-to-face or online with their assigned supervisor at least twice per term for the duration of the academic year. Students will work towards milestones of achievement agreed in advance. Supervisors will give feedback, either online or in person, at all of these stages.
As part of the Personal Development Portfolio, students will be expected to reflect orally in supervisions on their developing research, performance, filmmaking and creative skills as well as their ability to manage their project efficiently.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Plan and undertake a sustained piece of theory/practice and/or written work which requires independent research and development;
• Prepare and bring to timely completion a scholarly written project or a piece of practice-based work with critical commentary with appropriate attention to academic and professional conventions;
• Effectively communicate the ideas in a specific and specialist field of the discipline and evaluate them critically, as well as shape their own arguments and creative ideas in response.
• Develop the generic, transferable skills required by employers in theatre, film and television, for example effective and appropriate communication with peers and managers of learning, meeting deadlines, initiating meetings, planning and delivering a project to time, clear and cogent oral and written communication skills.

Assessment for this module will be structured  in two parts:

1) Project Management Coursework
This formative assessment will comprise submission and discussion of drafts of the research and/or practice plan with the individual supervisor, and then submission and discussion of the draft of one complete chapter of the project and/or an agreed practical aspect of the work with the supervisor. Work will be discussed in face-to-face supervisions and/or online. Students will be expected to initiate a minimum of two contacts per term with their individual supervisor and to submit regular work towards the agreed milestones. Formative assessment will also include attendance of and participation in all scheduled workshops. Students will receive oral feedback from their tutor and their peers at the workshop in which they present their project proposal.

2) Submitted Project
This is the main assessment component, the topic and form of which will be liaised by the student with the supervisor. This may be:

1. Written Project, in the form of a dissertation
   Submission of written project of 10, 000 – 12,000 words
2. Practice-based Project (Theatre, Film or combined), in the form of a live performance, screening or interdisciplinary work. This work should be between 25 and 40 minutes in duration (variations to this time limit may be agreed with the supervisor depending on the nature of the work). This is supported by written documentation,  comprising Outline (approximately 250 words), Treatment (approximately 500 words) and Theoretical Statement (approximately 1,500 to 2,000 words)

Summative assessment will comprise:

• Evidence of project management, including: written presentation of the initial and amended project plans, organisation of tutorials, attendance at workshop.
• Evidence of genuine independent research and creative practice, whether it is a written project or a practical piece of performance or filmmaking with a commentary, is required, for example by inclusion of a bibliography in the project plan and other research notes as discussed with the supervisor.
• Submission of final project.

The following general books on researching and writing a project will be useful. However, all students will be advised by their supervisor on reading specific for their chosen topic.

Tom Burns and Sandra Sinfield, Essential Study Skills (London: Sage, 2008), pp. 223–35.

Peter Levin, Excellent Dissertations!: Planning, Managing and writing a Dissertation Project for Undergraduates and Taught Postgraduates (Maidenhead: Open University Press, 2005).

Barone, T. & Eisner, E. (2012) Art based research. [e-book] Los Angeles: Sage.

Nelson, R. (2013) Practice as research in the arts. [e-book] Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Online  resources on project writing:

http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/celt/celt-for-students/study-skills-collection.cfm
http://www.skillsyouneed.com/learn/dissertation-writing.html
http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/mar/25/how-to-write-your-dissertation