Run by School of Arts, Culture and Language

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Dr David Miranda-Barreiro

The aim of this module is to give students the opportunity of working on something as part of their degree course which is not already a specific component of the syllabus and develop independent study skills and research skills. Students are encouraged to carry out some preliminary research during their Year Abroad placement.

The subject may be: - on any aspect of Target Language society, history, literature or culture; - an extension of the subject matter of an existing module, or in an entirely new area; - approached as a purely critical analysis, as a practical or a creative project or as a combination of both.

This module will give students the opportunity of working on something as part of their degree course which is not already a specific component of the syllabus and develop independent study skills and research skills. Students are encouraged to carry out some preliminary research during their Year Abroad placement. Through this course students will enhance their study skills and academic writing techniques. This module is intended as a foundation for the kind of writing requested at postgraduate level.

good

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.

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.

1. Demonstrate the ability to gather information and condense it in a clear and coherent argument.

2. Display the ability to conduct research independently.

3. Display familiarity with citation and referencing techniques (including compiling a bibliography).

4. Display evidence of original analytical thinking.

5. Display competency in Target language and grammar.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	Dissertation Content		47.50
	Dissertation - Language		47.50
	Dissertation Skills		5.00

		Hours
Lecture	Lecture (1 x 2 hour lecture in semester 1).	2
One-to-one supervision	3 supervisory meetings per semester.	6
Private study		192

• 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 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)

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)