CL3EE-Extended Essay for Italian and Classical Studies

Module Provider: Classics
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Barbara Goff
Email: b.e.goff@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

An extended essay module for students taking Italian and Classical Studies.

Aims:
The aim of the Extended Essay is to allow students to engage in extended research on an appropriate, clearly delimited topic of their own choosing from an area of Italian and Classical Studies 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.

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• undertake independent research using library resources 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 Italian and Classical 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


• prepare, 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 Tuesday of Week 7 of the same Autumn Term they must have:

• obtained approval for their topic, and a working title, from the convenor for this module and from a supervisor (who will normally be from the Department of Classics)


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

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

The Supervisor will supply brief 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 be no obligation to supply any such feedback on a draft.

The Extended Essay must be submitted by 1.00pm on the first day of the Summer Term of the final year.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Tutorials	4	2
Guided independent study:	86	108	0
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:

6000 word extended essay due by 1.00pm on the first day of the Summer Term.

Formative assessment methods:

Extended Essay plan submitted during Autumn Term of final year; Extended Essay draft if submitted 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:

Requirements for a pass: 40% 

 

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination in August in case of failure in this module and in the degree programme as a whole. Revised essay must be resubmitted by 1PM on the first day of resit period. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023