- Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
- Credit value: 60 credits
- Credit level: M
- Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
- See module specification for other years: 2023-24
- Notes: This is an independent study module
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:
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.
Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A | Semester 2 2024-25 to Summer Semester 2024-25 |
For the DISSERTATION option, the aims of the module are:
For the THEATRE MAKER option, the aims of the module are:
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
For the DISSERTATION option, by the end of the module you will be expected to:
For THEATRE MAKER option, by the end of the module you will be expected to:
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
Task | % of module mark | Group |
---|---|---|
Essay/coursework | 25 | A |
Practical | 75 | A |
Graduate/Postgraduate Dissertation | 100 | B |
Essay/coursework | 75 | C |
Essay/coursework | 25 | C |
None
Students choose one assessment option from the tasks listed above.
Assessment Group A do a Practical Performance (75%) and reflective analysis (25%)
Assessment Group B do a Dissertation (100%)
Assessment Group C do a Practical Scriptwriting project (75%) and a reflective analysis (25%)
Task | % of module mark | Group |
---|---|---|
Practical | 75 | A |
Graduate/Postgraduate Dissertation | 100 | B |
Essay/coursework | 75 | C |
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.
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