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Extended Project - TFT00117M

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Credit value: 60 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25
  • Notes: This is an independent study module

Module summary

This module provides you with an opportunity to undertake an independent project in a practical specialism of your choosing or a small-scale exploration of an area of theatre research related to your particular interests. You can choose one of three options:

  • Assessment of a dissertation as RESEARCHER
  • Assessment of a performance as THEATRE MAKER
  • Assessment of a script as PLAYWRIGHT

The module is designed to support you to produce either a research dissertation, or a performance and a piece of reflective writing, or a script and a piece of reflective writing. Via close supervision by an academic staff member, the module guides you towards the capacity to operate independently as a researcher or practitioner. It will encourage reflective practice or research, contextualised against key developments in your chosen field.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24 to Summer Semester 2023-24

Module aims

For the DISSERTATION option, the aims of the module are:

  • To research a topic of your own choosing, under the supervision of a member of staff, and write a dissertation on that topic.
  • To give you the opportunity to devise, and execute, an independent project of ambition and substance.
  • To enhance your use and command of the knowledge, research and analytical skills that you have acquired during previous modules in a context where, although supported by supervisorial guidance, you have the chance to develop your own agenda and adopt appropriate methods to carry them out.

For the THEATRE MAKER option, the aims of the module are:

  • to give you the experience of working in a small group to stage a performance of your choosing, and to perform this in the department
  • to develop your collaborative work with your peers to create performances of a high standard for a public audience
  • to give you experience in combining detailed dramaturgical preparation, textual analysis, and historical exploration with rehearsal explorations which lead to a public performance of a script you have thus researched and analysed
  • to provide you with the opportunity to follow the particular interests of your small group to explore a particular performance / text / style / form / approach
  • to test and enhance your use and command of the knowledge, skills, and techniques acquired during previous modules in a context where, although supported by supervisorial guidance, you have the chance to create your own agendas and devise apt methods to carry them out
  • to develop your self-analytical capacity to reflect on the function, scope and effectiveness of your process

For the SCRIPT option, the aims of the module are:

  • to give you the opportunity to design and execute an ambitious independent scriptwriting project

  • to test and enhance your command of the knowledge, skills, and techniques acquired during previous scriptwriting modules in a context where, although supported by supervisorial guidance, you have the chance to create your own agendas and devise methods to carry them out

  • to enable you to understand and participate actively in the process of script development

  • to develop your analytical capacity to reflect on the function, scope and effectiveness of your own research and writing process

Module learning outcomes

For the DISSERTATION option, by the end of the module you will be expected to:

  • work independently on a substantial research project involving the use of appropriate research techniques and methodologies
  • demonstrate your ability to complete an independent project of your own devising which builds on the teaching of the preceding terms
  • identify, access and utilise appropriate research materials from archives, libraries and other sources relevant to the project under supervisory guidance
  • identify a topic and formulate appropriate research questions relevant to this topic in the creation of a project
  • address a specific research question through the deployment of appropriate critical, analytical, creative and/or technical activities and techniques
  • compose a substantial piece of writing that is logically structured, clearly written, and well argued
  • construct a full bibliography of sources according to standard form

For THEATRE MAKER option, by the end of the module you will be expected to:

  • possess the skills needed to stage a performance, in front of a public audience, which is informed by the full range of skills and techniques you have acquired during the preceding modules
  • demonstrate your capacity to work collaboratively with your peers to create performances of a high standard
  • have researched, rehearsed and staged your performance to a given set of deadlines and within a given budget
  • have staged a performance which is sensitive to the demands, challenges and opportunities in the script
  • have worked as a group to ensure aesthetic and stylistic coherence.
  • have ensured that your directorial and performative decisions are coherent and internally consistent
  • be able to analyse lucidly, and report on, the function, scope and effectiveness of your process

For the SCRIPT option, by the end of the module you will be expected to:

  • have applied and extended the understanding, skills, and knowledge acquired through your work on earlier modules

  • have demonstrated a working knowledge of the relationship between form and content, and to have chosen an appropriate narrative structure for the story you are telling in your play

  • demonstrate an understanding of characters and dialogue, plot and action, content and structure, how they are created and developed, and of the interplay between each core element

  • present a script professionally, with flawless editing and using industry-standard layout and formatting

  • be able to write a critical analysis of your own research and writing process with insight and self-awareness

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark Group
Essay/coursework 25 A
Practical 75 A
Graduate/Postgraduate Dissertation 100 B
Essay/coursework 25 C
Essay/coursework 75 C

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Students choose one assessment option from the tasks listed above.

Assessment Group A do a Practical Performance (75%) and reflective Essay (25%)

Assessment Group B do a Dissertation (100%)

Assessment Group C do a Practical Scriptwriting project (75%) and a reflective essay (25%)

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark Group
Practical 75 A
Graduate/Postgraduate Dissertation 100 B
Essay/coursework 25 C
Essay/coursework 75 C

Module feedback

Students receive close feedback and support from a dedicated project supervisor.You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times, with an option of an individual follow-up meeting if any aspect of the feedback is unclear or if more guidance on interpreting the feedback is requested.

Formative feedback will be given on sections of the dissertation or script, and on rehearsals of the practical work, both in supervision time. The reflective essay will draw on the skills developed in two previous reflective essays, but formative feedback will be given on plans.

Indicative reading

For Theatre Maker and Script options, reading lists will be drawn up with the input of the assigned supervisor and will be tailored to the specific project undertaken. For Dissertation option, reading will similarly be defined by the themes and topics chosen by the student. There are, however, some useful guides to researching and writing dissertations:

Chia, Robert (2002) Writing an Academic Thesis, Dissertation or Essay: Guidelines, Academic

Conventions, Rationale and Good Practice. Exeter : University of Exeter.

Biggam, John (2018) Succeeding with your Master's dissertation, New York: McGraw-Hill.

Richer, Suzi (2013) Writing a Dissertation: The Essential Guide. Peterborough: Need2Know


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.