Independent study resulting in dissertation of 15,000 words in length, on a research topic of the student's own devising, in consultation with a supervisor.

3-4 supervisorial meetings of 30 minutes to an hour each as arranged between student and supervisor.

None

None

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ 1 x 15000 word dissertation 100% 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the dissertation, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

This course aims to:

■ enable students to develop and sustain an argument in an area of the student's personal research interest relating to English Literature

■ promote an engagement with other scholarly, critical, or theoretical arguments relevant to that area

■ promote an engagement with English Literature based on careful critical analysis

■ encourage the application of acquired research and writing skills to a supervised project

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

■ identify an appropriate research topic, in consultation with their supervisor.

■ formulate an appropriate research question for their topic

■ evaluate primary and secondary material for inclusion in an extended piece of writing at this level

■ show their ability to summarise, comment on and analyse this material appropriately

■ Organise their work into a coherent project of up to 15,000 words

■ apply the research methods and skills learnt during the rest of the taught course to a programme of supervised independent study.