Module: FSS6010-40 Film and Screen Studies Dissertation

Credit Value: 40

Module Tutor: Dr Jamie Steele

Module Tutor Contact Details:  j.steele@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

Dissertation represents an exciting opportunity for Film and Screen Studies students to originate, develop, and bring to successful completion a study of their own choosing within the fields of Film and Screen Studies research. The Dissertation can either take the form of a written thesis or a practice-based artefact and written commentary, but in either case allows you the chance to demonstrate a high level of academic excellence in a selected aspect of Film and Screen Studies.

All students taking the module will receive appropriate support and guidance at every stage, both through workshops and individual tutorials, with the former devoted to teaching core aspects of planning, researching and writing a dissertation.

2.Outline syllabus:

• Introducing the Dissertation: Key Approaches

• Choosing a Topic and Developing a Research Question

• Research for your Dissertation

• Writing for your Dissertation: Literature Reviews

• Research Project Management

• Using Methods: Researching Texts, Audiences and Industries

• Writing Up Your Findings and Analysis

• Finishing Your Dissertation: Introductions, Conclusions and Final Tips

3.Teaching and learning activities:

Research Skills 

Developing students’ abilities to research independently is a key employment skill. On this module, you will learn the complexities and ethical considerations of key methodological approaches to the study of media, and develop a capacity to carry out sustained critical academic research and collect suitable evidence and contextual data.

Interpersonal Communication 

Communication skills play a prominent role in this module. You will enter into a critical and collaborative relationship with an individual tutor, who will be supervise the project whilst encouraging you to constructively evaluate your own work, to incorporate the suggestions of others, and to think reflexively about progress and both project and time management.

Viva 

You are required to justify your completed research question and approach, to reflect on existing academic research and hypotheses, and to evaluate their findings and arguments.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Written or Practice-based Dissertation (8000 words equivalent)

• % Weighting: 80

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Viva (2000 words equivalent)

• % Weighting: 20