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MA Dissertation with Practical Project - ENG00155M

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• Department: English and Related Literature
• Module co-ordinator: Dr. Maya Caspari
• Credit value: 80 credits
• Credit level: M
• Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
• Notes: This is an independent study module

Module summary

Like all taught MA dissertations in the department of English and Related Literature, dissertations on this route should examine a specific topic, usually related to one or more of the taught modules studied during the course of the MA. With this route, the dissertation will also incorporate a ‘practical project’, which might include elements of practice-based research or fieldwork.

Examples of an appropriate practical project include:

• A substantial portfolio of creative or non-academic writing.

• A substantial printing or publishing project, possibly making use of the department’s print studio and publishing imprint, Thin Ice Press.

• A community-oriented or external engagement project (e.g. events or workshops, participatory research, or work with an external partner, such as an author, publisher, or other relevant organisation).

The design, research, and execution of the dissertation project as a whole should show intellectual enterprise, critical judgement, precise knowledge of primary texts, and adequate familiarity with secondary material. It should also be documented according to the recognised conventions of scholarly presentation or the standard formatting of relevant modes (e.g. creative writing forms, publishing layouts, or clear presentation of other practical activity).

The project as a whole should be between 14,000 and 16,000 words (or an agreed equivalent for the practical component), including a minimum of 8000 words of critical research.

Note: Projects that include events, work with partners, or other non-written activities should represent these in the submitted dissertation through written accounts, critical context, and critical reflection. Printed objects, images, and other relevant media can be submitted alongside the written dissertation. Projects involving others might also require faculty ethics committee approval.

Plans for all projects should be discussed with your supervisor prior to submitting a proposal. All proposals are subject to approval by an MA convenor, on the basis of appropriateness and supervisor capacity.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module aims to enable students to explore one or more aspects of a subject arising from the MA course to which they have subscribed, and to do so in greater depth than would be possible in the assessed modular essays.

Students will demonstrate the capacity to devise and execute a project of independent study, and show the ability to undertake research and practice of some originality. They will engage with, and on occasion challenge, a wide range of secondary sources, document their work with scholarly accuracy, and articulate an argument with clarity and precision. They will demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the relationship between critical and practice-based modes of research, developing the skills required to present practice-based work effectively in their chosen mode (e.g. creative writing forms, publishing layouts, or clear presentation of other practical activity).

Module learning outcomes

Subject content

• To explore one or more aspects of a subject arising from the MA course to which the student has subscribed, and to do so in greater depth than would be possible in the assessed modular essays.

Academic and graduate skills

• The student will demonstrate the capacity to devise and execute a project of independent study, and show the ability to undertake research of some originality; the student will be expected to engage with, and on occasion challenge a wide range of secondary sources, to document their work with scholarly accuracy, and to articulate an argument with clarity and precision.

• The student will demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the relationship between critical and practice-based modes of research, while taking a sophisticated approach to the design and execution of any practice-based work.

Indicative assessment

Task	Length	% of module mark
Essay/coursework Essay : 15,000 word project	N/A	100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task	Length	% of module mark
Essay/coursework Essay : 15,000 word project	N/A	100

Module feedback

• You will receive feedback on all assessed work within the University deadline, and will often receive it more quickly. The purpose of feedback is to inform your future work; it is designed to help you to improve your work, and the Department also offers you help in learning from your feedback. If you do not understand your feedback or want to talk about your ideas further you can discuss it with your tutor or your supervisor, during their Open Office Hours
• For more information about the feedback you will receive for your work, see the department's Guide to Assessment

Indicative reading

This depends upon the subject of the dissertation.