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AMST40670

Academic Year 2023/2024

Research Skills and Methods 2 (AMST40670)

Subject:
American Studies
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Centre For American Studies
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Scott Lucas
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Pass/Fail (GPA Neutral)

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module provides guidance on skills and methods for those students preparing to either write a dissertation or create a piece of multiplatform work. The module will run as a workshop focused on samples of student work. A key feature of class meetings will be for students to discuss the work of one another and offer constructive and practical criticism and feedback. The objective is to aid the conceptualisation of a project, plan how research will be undertaken, and also foster a collegiate and congenial interdisciplinary environment.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Students will develop skills in articulating a project to different audiences, preparing work to a schedule, and critically analysing work-in-progress. By the end of the module students should have a reflective grasp of their aims in writing/producing their dissertation and a clear plan of the project. Students should be able to show critical understanding of the epistemological and methodological issues involved in the research design of their project.

Indicative Module Content:

Most classes will require the preparation of sample pieces of writing or of media production related to a particular aspect of a student’s research, which will be circulated prior to the class to allow for feedback and discussion. This will include short summaries of how a project engages with current scholarship, methodology and treatment of sources, research strategies, and outlining the relevance of a project.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

88

Lectures

12

Total

100


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module is workshop based with students expected to interact with peers in reflective learning about their work.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment: Preparation of sample pieces of writing or of media production related to a particular aspect of a student’s research, which will be circulated prior to the class to allow for feedback and discussion. Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No
60
No
Presentation: 15 minute presentation on student dissertation Week 12 n/a Graded No
40
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided to students on draft work and following assessment.