FT2ACR-Academic Research Skills (20 Credits)

Module Provider: Film, Theatre and TV
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: FT2EE Extended Essay
Modules excluded: FT2CSP Creative Screen Practice or FT2CCP Community and Collaborative Practice
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Sarah Bartley
Email: s.e.bartley@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module offers the opportunity to develop your academic research skills, which prepares you for your 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, presentation 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 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 review. 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
Seminars	5
Tutorials	2
Project Supervision	2
Fieldwork	10
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	40
Wider reading (directed)	40
Preparation for tutorials	10
Essay preparation	80
Reflection	11
Total hours by term	200	0	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:

Literature Review due in Spring Term.

Formative assessment methods:

Supervisor will provide formative feedback on plans and drafts.

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% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Submission of additional coursework.

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