English Literature Dissertation
MODULE CODE
CREDIT VALUE
Module Aims
Aim 1
To promote and support the development of an independent area of scholarly research within the field of ‘Literature’ (including American Studies).
Aim 2
To facilitate an independent, proactive and reflective approach to learning.
Aim 3
To develop awareness of critical, theoretical and methodological issues appropriate to a chosen area of research
Aim 4
To consolidate those study and research skills already developed within the wider reaches of the undergraduate programme
Aim 5
To present the process and/or product of research findings within an academic and professional context
Module Content
This module will enable you to pursue an independent area of scholarly research within the field of ‘Literature.’ The dissertation will take the form of an extended piece of written work (7500 – 8,000 words) on a topic chosen by you with approval of the dissertation tutor and subject team. The module leader of EN3992 is known as the ‘Dissertation Tutor.’ You are expected to carry out a detailed exploration of a chosen topic at an advanced level and in liaison with an academic supervisor who will ideally already have an expertise in the area of study. The module will consist of group sessions to support the processes you will be involved in, combined with regular supervisory meetings to discuss the progress of your research and provide feedback on written work submitted in draft form. You will work towards the final dissertation and be expected to deliver a session (paper or panel) at the annual ‘Literature’ Dissertation Conference (which may include students from Creative Writing and American Studies). This module will build on knowledge, experience and skills developed in EN2127 Live Literature Project where you will have produced a dissertation proposal, had a session on using the library as a research student and been offered mentoring by EN3992 students.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
Teaching Methods
Supervision Primarily, the module will be based on independent learning, based on the following tasks: (a) establishing a preliminary bibliography and refining the scope of a chosen topic; (b) pursuing a programme of systematic research, including the selection and evaluation of critical, conceptual and contextual materials; (c) providing chapter-length drafts for supervisor’s comment at mutually-agreed points in the academic year, and refining and editing these drafts prior to final submission of the dissertation. You are entitled to up to 5 hours supervision. Approval will be based on: the viability of the topic for a work of such length; on the availability of appropriate learning resources; and on the possibility of effective supervision by a member of staff. Within these criteria the widest practicable range of research options will be accommodated. Students may bring in research and methodologies from other disciplines such as education and social science, linguistics, psychology, creative writing, film & media and work-related learning and so on as long as this has been agreed in advance and the main methodologies and focus of the dissertation falls within ‘literature’ and ‘literary analysis.’ You can pursue topics on literary texts in translation, but you must obtain prior agreement from a member of staff (potential supervisor or dissertation tutor). General guidelines governing the conduct of the supervisory process, the development of research topics, and the format and presentation of dissertations will be distributed to you via elearn. Further advice on independent study techniques, on the use of research materials, and on the composition and presentation of a dissertation will be given by supervisors according to the needs of your specific topic and your existing strengths and weaknesses. Supervisors will encourage you to attain standards of good scholarly practice in the subject including coherence of argument, precision and sensitivity in the interpretation of texts, clarity of style and overall structure, alertness to methodological problems and solutions, and exact and scrupulous observation of scholarly and bibliographical conventions. Credit will be given for resourcefulness and independence of thought will be encouraged and valued. Group Sessions Although you will be expected to work independently alongside a supervisor, you will also take part in group sessions that follow the research processes you will go through including: getting started with a research question; literature reviews, annotated bibliographies and originality; structuring your dissertation; learning logs and managing the supervisory experience; submitting your dissertation and so on. You will also have the option to mentor year 2 students on EN2127 who are preparing their dissertation proposals. At the end of the module you will take part in a workshop on using your dissertation in applications and job interviews, updating your CV and preparing for postgraduate
study. Dissertation Conference There will also be a Dissertation Conference at which you will be expected deliver a session (an individual ‘paper’ or part of a panel debate) on your research findings and/or process so far. You will receive feedback from your peers and staff that will help you in the final stages of your dissertation. Attendance at the entire conference is compulsory. To prepare for this you will take part in group sessions on delivering a conference paper or panel and writing abstracts for a conference programme and will work alongside EN2127 students who will be organising the conference. Staff will deliver a session that will mimic a real conference session prior to the actual conference to show you best – and worst – practice. Attendance is compulsory and there will be a keynote and external panel to provide added value.
Assessment Methods
This module is assessed through one Dissertation and one Individual Conference Presentation.
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Compulsory
Optional
