Independent Study - LAN00022H
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2025-26 |
| B | Semester 2 2025-26 |
Module aims
The aim is to allow students to undertake a small research project which, while falling within the broad areas of English Language or Linguistics taught by the Department, is beyond what is available in the teaching programme on offer to them.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Design and complete a research project in a chosen area of English Language / Linguistics
- Demonstrate an ability to read critically some of the research which has previously been undertaken in that area
- Bring to bear their prior knowledge of English Language / Linguistics to:
- understand the main theoretical issues that have been raised in the literature on that topic
- critique and to summarise previous scholarship on the area of study
- Present and discuss findings or outcomes of research in a concise and meaningful way
Module content
Prerequisites
Students must have:
-
At least 40 credits in the appropriate background area of English Language/Linguistics
NB. Students may undertake no more than one Independent Study module in linguistics.
Contact hours
English Language/Linguistics
Six hours to be arranged with the supervisor. A total of approximately 194 hours of independent work is required.
Registration procedure
Students are responsible for designing and completing a research project which will allow them to explore a topic area in depth. A student wishing to take such a module must consult (during the current academic year prior to the final year) a member of staff with expertise in the relevant background area on the feasibility of undertaking such a project. Once a relevant member of staff has agreed that they could in principle supervise such a project, they will provide the student with feedback on the plan they have designed. The plan must be approved by a sub-committee of the Board of Studies. Students should submit their proposal in the term prior to that in which the module is to be undertaken.
Download and complete a proposal form from the Department website. Students should make a detailed proposal of their plans, for discussion with a potential supervisor, giving information on:
- The content of the project
- An outline of the work that needs to be conducted
- A preliminary timetable for completion of the work
- A core set of works to be consulted, or a proposed bibliography, as appropriate
- At this stage, the student is expected to have only a list of titles and not to have read all the works cited
Permission will not be given to students to take this module unless the supervising member of staff and the approval committee see adequate evidence that the proposed work is realistic and feasible.
NB. Until the project has been approved, students will be required to register for an alternative module.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
You can expect feedback during discussion and presentation sessions as you develop your project with guidance from your ISM supervisor. Your supervisor will discuss a system of feedback appropriate to your project. In general, you can expect your supervisor to read a draft of each new section once. Your supervisor is not able to read multiple drafts of the same sections or the final version of your work before submission.
Summative assessment and feedback
A 5000-word research essay
Feedback
You will be allowed to see your essay/project report with comments on it within the university’s agreed time frame for returning feedback to students.
Indicative reading
To be determined by the student in consultation with the ISM supervisor.