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Module UXS-4099:
Masters Dissertation

Module Facts

Run by School of Music and Media

60 Credits or 30 ECTS Credits

Organiser: Dr Gregory Frame

Overall aims and purpose

1) To produce an extended piece of work; (2) To work independently on an extended project in drama, creative writing, media practice and film and media studies; (3) To develop understanding of the cycles of planning, reflection, revision and completion; (4) To encourage students to present complex material in a clear and precise manner.

Course content

The dissertation provides students with the opportunity to work with a specialist supervisor in the production of an extended piece of writing or practice. The work will, of necessity, go through a number of stages, and the supervisor will support the student in the effective revision of their work. The student will receive individual guidance. As well as developing high levels skills in rsearch and presentation, students will also develop important skills of self management.

Assessment Criteria

threshold

C/50%: To achieve this level a student will have completed all the Learning Outcomes to a level of competence. Written and/or practical work will be of a basic professional standard displaying qualities of motivation, and the ability to pursue ideas through to a conclusion, accompanied by evidence of critical reflection. It should be clear also that the student has developed the range of intellectual, practical and transferable skills implicit in the aims of the course.

good

B/60%: To achieve this grade a student will have exercised competence in most, if not all Learning Outcomes, and will have demonstrated excellence in at least one. Written and/or practical work should be distinctive, approaching publishable or, in the case of practical work, equivalent quality and supported by related further study. There should be ample evidence of independent thought, good levels of motivation and the acquisition of a wide range of subject-specific and transferable skills. There should be a clear indication of the potential to pursue studies to a higher research level.

excellent

A/70%: Excellent: To achieve this grade a student will have demonstrated a high level of achievement throughout and excellence in a substantial proportion of the Learning Outcomes. The written and/or practical work will be distinctive and professional. There will be ample evidence of related research, a thorough exploration of ideas, working processes and the inventive use of appropriate genres and forms. It should be readily apparent that the student has the ability to pursue higher levels of study and the potential to operate successfully in a professional context.

Learning outcomes

  1. The ability to communicate persuasively and unambiguously in writing or equivalent media.

  2. Read drama, creative writing, media practice and film and media texts critically, with a view to their content, form, and context, and to employ evidence thus acquired in support and development of an argument.

  3. An understanding of the concepts and techniques currently being applied in the chosen field.

  4. The ability to select a methodology or methodologies appropriate to the chosen subject:

  5. The ability to frame hypotheses and to evaluate them against counter-arguments and counter-evidence.

  6. The ability to structure a complex argument in essay or equivalent form, incorporating a range of primary and secondary evidence.

  7. The ability to document evidence using an appropriate system of referencing.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
DISSERTATION Dissertation (PGT) 100

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Individual Project

Personal Study

 585
 

15 hours of Supervisory Tutorials

 15

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • 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.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Courses including this module