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2020/21 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

ENGL5842M Research Project

60 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Dr David Higgins
Email: D.Higgins@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Feb to 30 Sep View Timetable

Year running 2020/21

Pre-requisites

ENGL5841MStudying English: Research Methods

Module replaces

ENGL5128M, ENGL5503M, ENGL5129M, ENGL5840M

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

This module will provide students with the opportunity to produce a substantial piece of academic writing or cognate research project under the supervision of an academic member of staff. The module encourages independent and self-directed learning culminating in the production of the MA Dissertation or extended piece of independent research. It also promotes the exploration of individual research interests and the implementation of research skills explored in the Semester 1 core module, Studying English: Research Methods.

It 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;
- develop analytical and theoretical knowledge of the subject;
- provide essential experience to develop an academic or non-academic career.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this module, students will:
- have developed the skills to research and write an intellectually coherent, critically informed and logically organised MA dissertation or extended piece of independent research;
- 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;
- develop the critical skills to approach English Studies creatively.

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 be initiated by the allocation of supervisors at the beginning of Semester 2 and an introductory session conducted by the Director of Taught Postgraduate Programmes. Once supervisors have been allocated, students will commence a period of structured independent study, in which they will receive up to 4 hours of supervision. They will also participate in three workshops and the student-led MA conference.

Students will be able to refine their research topics; hone their writing skills in the management of a substantial piece of work; and gain integral analytical and theoretical knowledge of the subject. By the end of this module, students will have developed the skills to research and write an intellectually coherent, critically informed and logically organised MA dissertation. They will also have gained appropriate research skills, including those of bibliography and referencing; and will have expanded their critical vocabulary and conceptual understanding.

Projects may be undertaken in any area agreed with a suitable supervisor, subject to the restriction that the subject must lay within the fields or periods defined in the programme or pathway title. In Modern and Contemporary Literature the project will focus mainly on British and Irish Literature. Projects or dissertations dealing with texts in translation will be considered on an individual basis in consultation with the Director of Taught Postgraduate Programmes, the supervisor and the School’s Director of Student Education.

The research project may take many forms (including a dissertation or, subject to the satisfaction of School pre-requisites and approval, an editing project; anthology; creative portfolio; exhibition or performance) but it must demonstrate a command of the primary and secondary material appropriate to a Masters degree.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Workshop32.006.00
Supervision Meetings41.004.00
Mini Conference16.006.00
Lecture12.002.00
Private study hours582.00
Total Contact hours18.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)600.00

Private study

Students will be guided towards appropriate library and online resources 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

Research project formats, topics and titles are subject to approval by the Director of Taught Postgraduate Programmes and by supervisors. Progress on the module is monitored by supervisors. Students will be required to submit a plan of their project, with dates and targets, and a suggested title to their supervisor in Week 3, followed by a 3,000 word sample in Week 9.

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 typeNotes% of formal assessment
ProjectDissertation of 12,000 to 15,000 words (or equivalent project)100.00
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: 05/08/2020 17:51:29

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