ML3EE-Extended Essay

Module Provider: Languages and Cultures
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Project proposal (200 words) and working title approved by the Module Convenor (submission date 10 June 2022).
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: AP3A81 Dissertation or CL3DN Dissertation in Classics or CL3EE Extended Essay for Italian and Classical Studies or EC3DIS Dissertation or EC3DSI Dissertation (for Joint degrees) or EN3DIS Dissertation or HS3HLD Dissertation in History or PO3DIS Dissertation
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Claire Ross
Email: c.a.ross@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The aim of the Extended Essay is to prepare students for postgraduate study by allowing them to engage in extended research on an appropriate, clearly delimited topic of their own choosing from an area of Modern Languages and Culture that is relevant to their degree programme, and to present their material in a convincing and persuasive manner that enables an educated reader to understand the topic and the issues surrounding it. 

Aims:

The aim of the Extended Essay is to boost students independent research skills on an appropriate topic of their own choosing from an area of Modern Languages and Culture that is relevant to their degree programme, and to enhance their academic writing and presentation skills which will enable them to continue academic study with a Master’s programme or an MPhil. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, students will have been expected to:

• undertake independent research using library and non-library sources (the web, the press, interviews etc.) as appropriate


• show an ability to plan, organise and synthesise material gathered during their research


• present this material with clarity in English, paying due regard to the sequencing of argument, the relevance and range of supportive evidence, and correct use of bibliographies, footnotes and general layout


• demonstrate, where relevant, a confident awareness of and engagement with critical debates surrounding the selected topic


• exercise skills of editing, proof-reading and formal presentation to standards of scholarly accuracy

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

Students are expected

• to identify a suitable topic for research in the field of Language Studies (including cultural, literary and media studies), bearing in mind the required word-length, the extent of their existing knowledge of the subject, and the facilities for research available to them


• to contact a suitable supervisor from the Department of Languages and Cultures and send a project proposal (200 words) by the end of Summer Term of theirYear Abroad or Year 2 (where applicable) 


• to write, with guidance from a supervisor, a dissertation on this topic, extending to 6,000 words (± 10%) excluding references and bibliography.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Students are given introductory training on Extended Essay requirements and research techniques early in the Autumn Term of the final year. 

By 10 June 2022, students must have: 

• identified and contacted a suitable member of DLC academic staff to request that s/he supervise the project


• developed a 200-word proposal and working title, in consultation with the supervisor


• obtained written (via email) c onfirmation from the supervisor that s/he is willing to supervise the project and approves the student’s 200-word proposal and working title, and forwarded this confirmation to the convenor


• submitted the 200-word proposal and working title (in a Word document) via email to the convenor for this module 

In cases where the supervisor has confirmed willingness to supervise the project, but the project proposal and title ar e not approved by the module convenor, the student must submit a REVISED proposal and title by the FIRST DAY of Autumn Term of the final year.

Please be aware that it is not possible to transfer onto this module after 10 June 2022 without permission from a supervisor the module convenor.

By week 5 of the Autumn Term, students must have:

• prepared, in consultation with the supervisor, a bibliography and a pla n for the Extended Essay.

The module consists largely of independent study and writing. The required dissertation length will be 6,000 words (± 10%) excluding references and bibliography.

The supervisor will supply feedback on a plan in the course of the Final Year, and on a full draft if it is submitted by noon on the penultimate Monday of the Spring Term of the student’s final year. If no draft is submitted by then, there will b e no obligation to supply any such feedback on a draft.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	2
Tutorials	2
Project Supervision	2	1
Guided independent study:	84	109
Total hours by term	90	110	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The Extended Essay must be submitted during the first week of the Summer Term of the final year.

Formative assessment methods:

• Extended Essay proposal (200 words) and title by 10 June 2022 (and revised proposal by first day of Autumn Term, where applicable);


• Bibliography and a plan for the Extended Essay by week 5 of the Autumn Term;


• Project presentation in week 8 or 9 of the Autumn Term;


• Extended Essay draft, if submitted, needs to be in by penultimate Monday of Spring Term of final year.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres 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 (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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:
40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment in August, in the event of failure in this module and of failure in the degree as a whole. Coursework for reassessment must be resubmitted by 12 NOON on the third Friday of August or, if the University is closed on the third Friday of August, by 12 NOON on the first working day thereafter.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022