FT3DISS: Dissertation: Film and Theatre

Module code: FT3DISS

Module provider: Film, Theatre and TV; School of Arts and Comm Design

Credits: 40

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr David Foster, email: d.foster@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE FT3ATMP OR TAKE FT3ADV OR TAKE FT3CRP OR TAKE FT3DEV (Compulsory)

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 27 June 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module represents the student's major piece of independent work, the culmination of their critical writing on the course. 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. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. define a feasible project on an area of film/theatre/television which will allow for significant independent work; 
2. develop under supervision an appropriate structure for their essay and a methodology which draws on relevant critical/theoretical frameworks; 
3. demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the chosen field and its critical literature; 
4. 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; 
5. present a cogent argument in clear and accurate prose 

Module content

Students will plan, research and write a dissertation of 10,000 words on a topic in film, theatre, television, or a combination of these. An orientation session will be organised during the second year. 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 begin research for their dissertation during the summer of Part 2, and to work on it during Sem 1 and 2 of Part 3. During Semester1 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 Semester 1. During Semester 2, drafts of chapters will be discussed in tutorials and the completed dissertation will be submitted at the end of Semester 2. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Throughout the module Part 3 students will meet regularly with their supervisor. Research may likely include visits to relevant archives or libraries in terms or film and theatre, and extended viewing of films or recorded performances. Emphasis in supervision will be on the development of a project which is appropriate in scale, achievable within readily available 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.  

Study hours

At least 5 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

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

Reassessment

Additional costs