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2020/21 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

ENGL5841M Studying English: Research Methods

30 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Dr Ian Fairley
Email: I.A.Fairley@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2020/21

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 English 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 English Studies in the current research and educational climates;
- develop the critical skills to approach English 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 English 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 English Studies. The methodological classes will be followed by a series of seminars focusing on academic content.

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. They will have acquired knowledge on the key academic questions that drive their chosen area of postgraduate study.

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 English literature 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 the MA research project and for students who want to go on to doctoral study.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lectures	5	2.00	10.00
Seminars	5	2.00	10.00
Private study hours			280.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

Students will be guided towards appropriate library and online resources.

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

Students must submit an unassessed dissertation proposal of 500 words to aid the allocation of an appropriate supervisor in week 11. Research projects / dissertation proposals are subject to approval by the Director of Taught Postgraduate Programmes.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Critical Review (including annotated bibliography) of 1,000 words	20.00
Essay	Essay of 2,000 words	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: 14/12/2020 14:52:35

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