Run by School of Arts, Culture and Language

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Dr Jonathan Lewis

strong textThis module brings together all the skills and experiences related to the study of Modern Languages and Cultures which students have acquired during Years 1, 2 and the Year Abroad. The successful completion of a dissertation gives students the opportunity to work on a research project as part of their degree course on a topic to do with the society, history, literature, and culture of the relevant country which is not already a specific component of the syllabus. This topic should be decided in agreement with the Supervisor. This module is intended as a foundation for the kind of writing requested at postgraduate level.

This module will enable the student 1. To gather a list of relevant sources for their chosen topic. 2. To gather relevant secondary research material for their chosen topic. 3. To gather relevant primary research material for their chosen topic. 4. To interrogate and analyse their source material in relation to relevant research questions. 5. To construct a coherent chapter plan for their dissertation. 6. To write up the project successfully in an academic manner to communicate the project and its results.

The dissertation will set the chosen research topic in a broader contextual framework. It will set research questions and devise a structure. It will describe and analyse the chosen topic using a range of relevant secondary and primary evidence. The project will be written up in an ordered and academic manner. An analytical summary will be provided in the target language.

threshold

(D- to D+) For the award of credit, students should demonstrate a satisfactory comprehension of the topic of their choice and of research methods and academic writing techniques.

good

(C- to B+) For the award of higher grades, students should demonstrate a solid comprehension of the topic of their choice and of research methods and academic writing techniques.

excellent

(A- to A*) For the award of higher grades, students should demonstrate a detailed comprehension of the topic of their choice and of research methods and academic writing techniques.

1. The student will learn how to set this material in a broader context.

2. The student will learn how to manage time and prepare their project satisfactorily for submission.

3. The student will learn how to organise information and produce a written analysis.

4. The student will learn how to summarise their findings in the target language.

5. The student will learn how to construct an argument/analyse their evidence with precision and consistency.

6. The student will learn how to gather primary and secondary research material for their project.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	Dissertation (written in English)		80.00
	Dissertation Summary		15.00
	Dissertation Skills		5.00

		Hours
Private study	Including supervisory meetings.	198
Lecture	Lecture (1 x 2 hour lecture in semester 1).	2

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.

• Extract and synthesise key information from written and/or spoken sources in English / Welsh and/or the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.14)
• The ability to organise and present ideas within the framework of a structured and reasoned argument in written and/or oral assignments and class discussions. (Benchmark statement 5.14)
• Critical skills in the close reading, description, reasoning and analysis of primary and secondary sources in the target language and/or English or Welsh (incl. filmic, literary and other sources). (Benchmark statement 5.13, 5.14, 5.15)
• Competence in the planning and execution of essays, presentations and other written and project work; bibliographic skills, including the accurate citation of sources and consistent use of conventions and appropriate style in the presentation of scholarly work. (Benchmark statement 5.10, 5.14, 5.15)
• The ability to gather information, analyse, interpret and discuss different viewpoints and to place these in a wider socio-cultural and/or geo-historical and political and/or socio-linguistic context and to revise and re-evaluate judgements in light of those of the course leader, certain individuals or groups studied and/or fellow students. (Benchmark statement 5.13, 5.15 and 5.16)
• The ability to write and think under pressure and meet deadlines. (Benchmark statement 5.15)
• The ability to write effective notes and access and manage course materials including electronic resources / information provided on online learning platforms and library resources. (Benchmark statement 5.15, 5.16)
• The ability to work creatively and flexibly both independently and/or as part of a team. (Benchmark statement 5.15).
• The ability and willingness to engage with and appreciate other cultures and to articulate to others (in written and verbal form) the contribution that the culture has made at a regional and global level. (Benchmark statement 5.7)
• The ability to grasp and discuss how films reflect objective or subjective positions in their treatment of their subject matter. (Benchmark statement 5.7 and 5.10)
• The ability to comprehend, critically engage with and apply relevant theoretical concepts to materials being studied. (Benchmark statement 5.10)
• The ability to engage in analytical, evaluative and original thinking. (Benchmark statement 5.14)
• Critical understanding of key topics in the sphere of modern critical, cultural and translation theory, highlighting landmark figures and offering close readings of segments of their texts. (Benchmark statement 5.10)
• The ability to organise and present ideas and arguments in presentations, classroom discussions and debates. (Benchmark statement 5.14, 5.16)
• Develop reading and audio-visual comprehension skills in the target language through the study of primary sources in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
• Sensitivity to and appreciation of contrasting types of press and media in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.7, 5.10)
• The ability to develop and manage an independent research project in English/Welsh. (Benchmark statement 5.10, 5.15, 5.16)
• Skills in the critical reading and analysis of literary and/or musical and/or filmic texts. (Benchmark statement 5.10)
• The ability to comprehend and apply cultural idioms by studying primary and secondary materials in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
• The ability to analyse, interpret and historically contextualise a range of films in the target language using different forms of critical analysis (cultural, historical, socio-political, literary etc.). (Benchmark statement 5.7, 5.10 and 5.14)
• Sensitivity to and critical evaluation of key cinematic techniques and the use of cinematic imagery and language. (Benchmark statement 5.10)
• The ability to write an analytical film and/or book review in English / Welsh.
• The ability to develop and manage an independent research project in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4, 5.10, 5.15, 5.16)
• The ability to translate and critically analyse the translation of a substantial piece of text in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4, 5.10)

Resource implications for students

n/a

Compulsory in courses:

• R101: BA French year 4 (BA/F4)
• R102: BA French with International Experience year 3 (BA/FIE)
• R200: BA German year 4 (BA/GER)
• R400: BA Spanish year 4 (BA/SP4)