2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

ENGL5843M Studying Theatre: Research Methods and Research Project

60 creditsClass Size: 20

Module manager: Professor Jane Plastow
Email: J.E.Plastow@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Oct to 30 Sep (12mth) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Module replaces

ENGL5128M, ENGL5503M, ENGL5129M, ENGL5840M.

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

This module's objectives are twofold. Firstly, it will provide a grounding in essential research skills; will provide students with the initial skills of academic paper presentation and will provide an awareness of what it means to research Theatre Studies today. Secondly, it will introduce students to the key intellectual questions that concern their chosen area of Taught Postgraduate Studies.

It will enable students to:
- establish a specialist, research-led perspective of their chosen field of study;
- identify an appropriate topic for research;
- develop writing skills in the management of a substantial piece of work;
- acquire disciplines of scholarly presentation;
- develop analytical and theoretical knowledge of the subject.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this module, students will:

- have acquired an awareness of the key intellectual questions that drive their chosen area of study;
- have developed the skills to research and write an intellectually coherent, critically informed and logically organised MA research project / dissertation;
- gain appropriate research skills, including those of bibliography and referencing;
- acquire disciplines of scholarly presentation, especially of documentation;
- develop appropriate critical vocabulary and conceptual understanding;
- acquire an awareness of what it means to be a scholar in Theatre Studies in the current research and educational climates;
- develop the critical skills to approach Theatre Studies innovatively.

Skills outcomes
- The improvement of research skills
- The development of independent learning skills
- The development of writing skills over an extensive project.

Syllabus

This module will begin with a series of sessions designed to provide a grounding in essential research by discussing methods of research in Theatre Studies and introducing resources at the University of Leeds. These will enable students to identify an appropriate topic for research; develop writing skills in the management of a substantial piece of work; acquire disciplines of scholarly presentation and develop analytical and theoretical knowledge of Theatre Studies. The methodological classes will be followed by a series of seminars focusing on research methods specific to the study of theatre. Students will also investigate the key academic and intellectual questions that drive their chosen area of study.

By the end of this module, students will have developed the skills to research and write an intellectually coherent, critically informed and logically organised piece of academic writing; gain appropriate research skills, including those of bibliography and referencing; and develop appropriate critical vocabulary and conceptual understanding.

This module will also provide students with an awareness of the implications of their field of study. It will allow them to develop an existing enthusiasm for Theatre Studies and to explore further those areas of the subject which may not have figured significantly in their undergraduate programme. It affords an excellent platform for work at doctoral level.

At the beginning of the second semester students will be allocated a research project / dissertation supervisor. During this term students will receive up to 6 hours of supervision. A project / dissertation may be undertaken in any area agreed with a suitable supervisor, subject to the restriction that the subject must lie within the fields or periods defined in the scheme title.

Reseach projects / dissertations in Theatre studies may take the form of research supporting practical work, and sometimes include supporting illustrative materials - such as design models, photographs or recordings. The project may take many forms, but must demonstrate a command of the primary and secondary material appropriate to a Masters degree.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Supervision Meetings	6	1.00	6.00
Mini Conference	1	6.00	6.00
Lecture	4	2.00	8.00
Seminar	7	2.00	14.00
Private study hours			566.00
Total Contact hours			34.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			600.00

Private study

Students will be guided towards appropriate library and online resources firstly through the Semester 1 sessions and later by their supervisor.

Private study and independent learning is at the heart of this module, which encourages students to take responsibility for their own research and writing practice.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

During Semester 1, students will be required to submit the following unassessed work:
1. A critical review (700 words). 2. A research project / dissertation proposal (500 words) to aid the allocation of an appropriate supervisor. Please note that project proposals are subject to approval by the Tutor for Taught Postgraduate Programmes.

During Semester 2, progress is monitored by supervisors and students are required to submit the following unassessed work:
1. A plan of their research project / dissertation, with dates and targets, (no word count) and a suggested title
2. A sample of their research project / dissertation (3000 words)

In June, all MA students are expected to attend a student-led Research Conference, where students can volunteer to deliver papers on their projects.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	Essay of 2,000 words	20.00
Project	Dissertation of 12,000-15,000 words (or equivalent project)	80.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 26/04/2017

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