This module allows students to focus on an area of specific interest to them and to produce a project based on independent research. It will build on the research skills developed in the three preceding Core modules and give students basic skills in selecting and refining an area of study, supported by feedback in seminars and tutorials, that will form the basis on which to build for the compulsory Independent Study module in Final Year. In the two plenary sessions run by the convenor, students will receive practical advice and support on project management, research management, finding sources, methodology, and crafting an argument. There will be also two plenary workshops. The first of these will be a follow up of the micro-credential course ‘Employability in and beyond your degree’ the students will have taken independently. The second will be provided by the Academic Skills Centre and will be tailored to the Core V assessment. As part of their guided independent study, the students will also engage with an ASC Canvas course on the 2nd year research project.
The students will also attend one language specific orientation seminar after the plenaries and two small group meetings with their supervisors, to discuss the proposal, ethical review, and plan. Two individual feedback tutorials will enable the students to discuss questions specific to their projects (in the session before submission) and areas for improvement in the future (in the post-marking feedback session).
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
demonstrate their ability to start the research process by choosing a topic, formulating specific research questions, and distinguishing between appropriate methods, all under the guidance of a tutor and in response to peer review, if possible.
demonstrate some independence in collecting, organizing and analysing material/data and applying relevant research methods.
appraise a specific research question in the light of the relevant theoretical and cultural contexts, evaluate the materials / data collected, and begin to engage creatively with relevant debates in a format appropriate to the topic.