FT3JDFA-Dissertation (Art and Film & Theatre)

Module Provider: Film, Theatre and TV
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: FT3ATMP Advanced Theatre Making Project or FT3AFP Advanced Filmmaking Project or FT3CRP Creative Research Project
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr David Foster
Email: d.foster@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module represents the student's major piece of independent critical work, and aims to integrate and develop some of the critical methodologies and topics of study included in taught modules in the Film & Theatre component of the programme. As such the module aims to test the student's ability to apply accumulated skills and knowledge to an area of individual interest in an extended essay on a topic not directly taught on the course, and which is initiated and developed independently but under supervision. Students will give a short presentation on their research-in-progress during Autumn term.

Aims:
This module represents the student's major piece of independent critical work, and aims to integrate and develop some of the critical methodologies and topics of study included in taught modules in the Film & Theatre component of the programme. As such the module aims to test the student's ability to apply accumulated skills and knowledge to an area of individual interest in an extended essay on a topic not directly taught on the course, and which is initiated and developed independently but under supervision.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

• define a feasible project on an area of film and / or theatre which will allow for significant independent work;
• conduct a systematic literature search and develop an appropriate bibliography;
• develop under supervision an appropriate structure for their essay and a methodology which draws on relevant critical/theoretical frameworks encountered elsewhere on the course;
• demonstrate the ability to apply such methods to the selected topic and to use primary and secondary sources critically;
• demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the chosen field and its critical literature;
• develop a coherent and independent analysis of the selected material which demonstrates the ability to analyse textual detail, to relate detail to wider textual systems and to take account of relevant contexts;
• present a cogent argument in clear and accurate prose.

Additional outcomes:
The module has a crucial role for students in the development of skills and competencies associated with critical argument and extended academic writing: appropriate deployment of research using printed and electronic resources; critical analysis and coherent argument; undertaking self-directed, independent work; presentation of written work (and possibly graphics and data) using IT; identifying and addressing problems in the analysis of Film 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 plan, research and write a dissertation of 10,000 words on a topic in film/television and/or theatre. An orientation session will be organised during Part 2i. Following this, students will be asked to indicate an area or areas which they would like to form the topic of their dissertation. On the basis of this choice, students will be assigned a supervisor who will give guidance on initial reading, and on the refinement of the topic and its focus. Students should expect to beginresearch for their dissertation during the summer term of Part 2i, continuing this during the summer vacation, and to work on it during the Autumn and Spring Terms of Part 3. The supervisor must agree that the topic is a viable one and must formally approve the topic. Dissertations may involve the examination of a specific body of primary source material or primary texts, written or visual. They may also involve the examination and assessment of the secondary literature on a particular problematic issue, or critical or theoretical controversy. Students should expect to begin research for their dissertation in the Summer vacation preceding their final year, and to work on it during the Autumn and Spring Terms of their final year. During the Autumn Term students will meet regularly with their supervisors, identify the nature of their intended project and under supervision will develop a bibliography and detailed plans for the structure and approach of their dissertation. It is good policy to start drafting material as soon as possible but, at the least, an outline of the intended essay, together with indicative bibliography, will have been discussed by student and supervisor by the end of the Autumn Term. Students will give a short presentation on their research-in-progress during Autumn term. During the Spring Term drafts of chapters will be discussed in tutorials and the completed dissertation will be submitted at the beginning of the Summer Term.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

An orientation session will be organised in  Part 2, following which supervisors will be allocated and initial meetings take place. In the Autumn and spring terms of Part 3 students will meet regularly with their supervisor. Research is likely to include visits to galleries, performances and / or extended viewing of films and programmes for other projects. Emphasis in supervision will be on the development of a project which is appropriate in scale, achievable within readily availab le resources and informed by clear critical objectives. Supervisors may read and comment on draft sections of the dissertation but may not comment on the work in its entirety in draft form.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Project Supervision	4	4
External visits	12	12
Guided independent study:	184	184
Total hours by term	200	200
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Dissertation	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Dissertation assessment 10,000 words to be submitted in Week 1 of Summer Term.

Skills development in the form of festival participation will form part of this mark. 

Formative assessment methods:

Students will give a short presentation on their research-in-progress during Autumn term.

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:
An overall mark of 40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of failed work.

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: 

None required, but this depends on the individual student's chosen topic.

Last updated: 30 March 2023