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The module content, insofar as it is negotiated between a supervisor and an individual student, will reflect the interests of the latter and the expertise of the former. Research-active staff have much to offer in terms of a wide variety of specialisms, and staff engaged in scholarship activities and vocational work will offer different possibilities to you. The module is intensively student-centred, with guidance provided by the supervisor. You will engage in (and be guided in) research methods and resources, standard referencing practice and textual/musical critique to a high standard.

Once you have decided upon an area of research you will be assigned a supervisor, from whom you will receive eight hours of contact time over the course of the module. In addition to this two lectures will be provided to all students on research techniques and how to structure and write up the final project. A further two workshop sessions will allow students to share their research ideas with the class. While these sessions will initially be teacher led they will invite the opportunity for peer feedback and reflection, encouraging students to critique and assess their own research and that of their peers.

Summative assessment will consist of a portfolio of work which will take the form of a 6,000 word paper or a creative output with a supporting written document (equivalent to 6,000 words) which will outline the scope of the project, the research aims and methodology. The exact nature of the project (and the size/duration of the creative and written outputs) will be negotiated between the student and their supervisor.

LO1: deploy critical awareness and reflection in response to texts and other sources considered relevant to the chosen topic
LO2: appraise the views of scholars on particular topics, and to make effective use of these views in formulating original insights
LO3: manage a relatively substantial piece of work, and to integrate arguments in a persuasive, coherent manner
LO4: critically reflect on your research aims and outcomes and how they relate to current standards within a given professional or academic field.