Arts, Culture and the Environment Dissertation

SALC60600 Arts, Culture and the Environment Dissertation 60 Full year Postgraduate Taught Level 6 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 30.0 This unit requires students to undertake a self-directed research project in the area of the Environmental Humanities. The development of the research project is supported by  workshops on research methods and project design, leading to the creation of a project proposal. Following supervisor allocation, students are offered  meetings with their supervisor and are required to submit a chapter (or equivalent work-in-progress practical output) for formative feedback.The dissertation may use ‘traditional’ critical academic methods, or it may involve creative practice-led methods. The ability to pursue the latter will be dependent on prior experience/training, the availability of resources and supervisory capacity. Any practical research outputs must be developed in response to an agreed set of research questions and be critically contextualised through a reflective essay (of up to 8000 words).   This unit requires students to undertake a self-directed research project in the area of the Environmental Humanities. The development of the research project is supported by  workshops on research methods and project design, leading to the creation of a project proposal. Following supervisor allocation, students are offered  meetings with their supervisor and are required to submit a chapter (or equivalent work-in-progress practical output) for formative feedback.The dissertation may use ‘traditional’ critical academic methods, or it may involve creative practice-led methods. The ability to pursue the latter will be dependent on prior experience/training, the availability of resources and supervisory capacity. Any practical research outputs must be developed in response to an agreed set of research questions and be critically contextualised through a reflective essay (of up to 8000 words).   The unit aims to:Enable students to identify a research topic for sustained, original, and independent research.Develop and enhance advanced research skills, including defining scope and selecting appropriate research methods, selecting and evaluating relevant scholarship, presenting results of analysis and placing them within a broader research context.   The course involves a large number of important employment skills, most notably an ability to analyse and examine a large amount of often difficult information, an ability to assess and critique arguments from a range of perspectives, and the ability to retrieve complex information and present it in a cogent and compelling fashion.  - Demonstrate critical awareness of previous research scholarship on the chosen topic;- Demonstrate appropriate familiarity with, and confidence in engaging with advanced methodologies, theoretical frameworks, or creative aspects of relevant material;- Plan effectively in order to meet the demands and challenges of developing an extended piece of research  - Undertake self-directed research using appropriately selected methods in the area of the Environmental Humanities;- Critically analyse scholarly sources, and – if undertaking practice-led research – reflectively contextualise creative practice;- Construct lucid, persuasive and sustained argument in support of a research hypothesis - Plan, conduct and report on research, within a specified timetable, making use of available resources;- Take active responsibility for academic progress and development: identify a programme of work, arrange regular supervisions, reflect on and learn from feedback (both written and oral);- Present advanced academic work in an appropriate format, adhering to School guidelines - Communicate information and ideas effectively in an academic environment;- Demonstrate independent learning ability suitable for continuing study and professional development;- Demonstrate effective time management As this module supports an advanced piece of individual and independent research, there is no single unified ‘syllabus.’ Students will receive expert advice from their supervisor throughout the second semester and benefit from bespoke workshops. The production of the dissertation is a cumulative and iterative process and students will submit a formative draft chapter for feedback. The development of the dissertation is supported through workshops, one-on-one supervision and formative feedback points. ENHANCEMENT OF DIGITAL LITERACY  - Use of VLE in workshop preparation; - Use of databases, library resources, online collections, and digital resources for research Use of software (e.g. Microsoft Word) for the creation of the dissertation   4 Dissertation 100% Feedback provided via Turnitin according to the University's marking timetable. N There is no recommended or indicative reading for this module as students will be in charge of their own projects, and will need to identify, in consultation with their supervisor, and complete the necessary relevant reading. Suggested readings on the dissertation process in general includes:Biggam, John. Succeeding with Your Master’s Dissertation : A Step-by-Step Handbook. Third edition. Berkshire, England: Open University Press, 2015Nelson, Robin. Practice as Research in the Arts : Principles, Protocols, Pedagogies, Resistances. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2013.Wisker, Gina. The Postgraduate Research Handbook : Succeed with Your MA, MPhil, EdD and PhD. Second edition. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2008.   Lectures 6 Project supervision 2 592