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School of Modern Languages and Cultures

LN915 Guided Research Project

Convenor: Professor Oliver Davis

This 30 CATS module gives you the opportunity to pursue a bespoke programme of study in a specific specialist area of French and Francophone Studies, German Studies, Hispanic Studies or Italian Studies.

Module aims

This module aims to equip students with advanced knowledge and understanding of a chosen area in French and Francophone Studies, German Studies, Hispanic Studies or Italian studies. The Guided Research Project provides the individual student with the opportunity to extend their coverage in the discipline (in particular, filling in gaps) as well as their experience of research techniques of information retrieval and organisation. In combination with the other elements of the MA in Modern Languages and Cultural Studies, the Guided Research Project helps to lay the foundation for further doctoral study.

Outline syllabus

The module is proposed in the context of a new MA in Modern Languages and Cultural Studies. This new degree programme targets graduates with a substantial knowledge of the disciplines of French, German, Hispanic or Italian Studies and cognate area studies. The proposal follows review of existing PGT arrangements and discussions within the School of Modern Languages. This module offers a small taught element (taking into account students' prior knowledge of the discipline) and an enhanced individual research element, concretized in particular in an individually tutored programme of reading (or viewing / auditing for those working on relevant media).

The exact content of the module will be tailored to individual students areas of interest, in consultation with the Convenor/Director of Graduate Studies and a designated expert tutor. The aim is to offer a module that provides the individual student with both coverage in the disciplines (in particular, filling in gaps) and experience of research techniques of information retrieval and organisation.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • To identify, and provide a meaningful and sustained discussion, of one or more complex issues in the history, culture, thought of politics of French, German, Hispanic or Italian Studies (and cognate areas)
  • To demonstrate awareness and appropriate understanding of one or more selected issues or critical debates in the discipline of French, German, Hispanic or Italian Studies, or a cognate area or discipline (e.g. modern literary theory; contemporary cultural studies; political thought; the history of ideas)
  • To demonstrate the ability to deploy research skills in French, German, Hispanic or Italian Studies as appropriate to the chosen area/topic of study (e.g. ability to use appropriate electronic resources, to use a critical edition with an apparatus of variant readings…)
  • To undertake close textual analysis of French, German, Hispanic or Italian texts
  • To present material effectively in a scholarly written format
Research element

One-to-one tutorials; independent reading and study of primary and secondary materials (in print, electronic, or other multimedia format) relevant to the chosen area of French and Francophone, German, Luso-Hispanic and Italian Studies; independent exploration of relevant electronic resources.

Assessment

5,000-word essay on a previously agreed topic within French and Francophone Studies, German Studies, Luso-Hispanic Studies, Italian Studies, designed in discussion with the module tutor.