FT2AR-Academic Research Skills

Module Provider: Film, Theatre and TV
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: FT2EE Extended Essay
Modules excluded: FT2P2F Practical Project: Film/TV FT2P2T Practical Project: Theatre FT2P2F Practical Project: Film/TV and FT2P2T Practical Project: Theatre
Current from: 2020/1

Module Convenor: Prof Teresa Murjas

Email: t.s.murjas@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module offers students the opportunity to develop their academic research skills, which prepares them for their extended essay. It may be offered in place of the practical strand at Part 2.

Aims:

The module aims to equip students with the skills required for a successful extended essay (FT2EE) and, as appropriate, the Part 3 dissertation, through supervision. The supervision will offer advice and guidance concerning: the effective use of research databases; effective reading and note-taking; surveying a field of enquiry and beginning to engage in a critical dialogue with existing debates, concepts and arguments; defining a feasible project; selecting appropriate methodologies for written academic work; managing references and bibliographies.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: survey the existing literature in the field and develop a bibliography; demonstrate an appropriate knowledge of the chosen field and the relevant critical approaches; define a feasible project on an area of film/theatre/television; draw on relevant critical/theoretical frameworks encountered elsewhere on the course; select appropriate methodologies for written academic work; employ skills of research, organisation, presen tation and analysis; effectively communicate an argument in clear and accurate prose.

Additional outcomes:

The module has an important role for students taking a critically-focused second year, in the development of skills and competencies associated with critical argument and academic writing: appropriate deployment of research using printed and electronic resources; critical analysis and coherent argument; undertaking increasingly independent work; presentation of written work (and possibly graphics and data) using IT; identifying and addressing problems in the analysis of film, TV and/or theatre texts. Tutorial work also encourages the further development of oral communication skills and the ability to present and defend ideas in one-to-one discussion.

Outline content:

Students will research, plan and write a literature review of 2,000 words on a chosen topic in film, theatre, television, or a combination of these that relates to their extended essay. Early in Autumn term, students will meet with their supervisors to identify the nature of their intended project. Supervisors will offer advice and guidance to help students develop their academic research skills so that they can devise an appropriate bibliography and plan their approach for their literature r eview. Drafts of writing for the literature review will be discussed in tutorials, and the completed extended essay will be submitted early in the Spring term. Training sessions with Study Advice and/or the Library will be arranged, as appropriate.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

From beginning of the Autumn term to near the point of submission, students will meet regularly with their supervisor. Emphasis in supervision will be on the development of a project which is appropriate in scale and methodology, achievable within readily available resources and informed by clear critical objectives. Supervisors may read and comment on draft sections of the literature review but may not comment on the work in its entirety in draft form.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Tutorials	2
Fieldwork	10
Guided independent study:	88
Total hours by term	100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of coursework.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 17 August 2020