Module:  TDP6100-20   Theatre and Digital Production Research Project

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Jon Grant

Module Tutor Contact Details: j.grant2@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module

This module is an adjunct to the independent study module offered in semester 2 It enables you to work on a research/study project across two semesters. This module is therefore research-based in its focus and provides you with the opportunity to undertake preparatory research in advance of engaging with your independent study.

This module aims to:

• Provide an opportunity to extend a semester 2 independent study module

• Foster a positive approach to lifelong learning and career development

• Facilitate the research of ideas within a professional and/or academic context

2. Outline syllabus

The initial, formative stage will be to negotiate a project brief with tutors. Tutorials test the nature of the project and agree on a negotiated project brief.

If you are taking an accompanying independent study module in semester 2, the project negotiation in that module will clarify or revise the brief created in this module, accounting for any changes that have arisen from your research.

The final submission will be a 5,000-word or equivalent research file. The content of this file will vary from student to student, and from project to project, but the presumption is that you will balance practical and written elements.

As with the independent study modules, you can work individually on a single study, or you can choose to work collaboratively on a piece of shared research, performance or blended project. Staff encourage such collaboration. However, for any shared project, your project negotiations must indicate your role and focus in the study. A group submission is not allowed. In negotiating the project, it must be clear that you have clearly identified your role in the project and your topic of investigation.

How you present the final research file is integral to demonstrating the advanced critical thinking at the heart of this module. An indicative final submission might be a scratch performance with an accompanying analysis. It could be a series of research interviews, or it could be notes of a shared experiment. It could be preparatory ideas for a portfolio of work, but this must not exceed the word count or equivalent. 

3. Teaching and learning activities

This study module focuses on independent learning, in line with the FHEQ level 6 descriptor. While there is some initial lecture delivery around research and planning, the main tutor contact is through advisory tutorials to support your study choice and planning and subsequent check-up points. In developing your research file, you should articulate clearly how you intend to process your research findings into the semester 2 independent study module.

The formative assessment is though tutorials and a discussion of a draft project brief.

The summative assessment is the submission of the research file.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Research File (5,000 words or equivalent)

• % Weighting: 100