ARCT41300 Major Research Essay

Academic Year 2023/2024

Overall, this is an individually supervised research project that is undertaken over the course of both the autumn and spring trimesters. This project takes the form of a long essay that explores some aspect of the designed environment. The research will engage with a range of pressures that have moulded the designed environment in the past and demand changes for the future. These topics may include: the social and cultural, historical, geographical as well as the environmental and technical. Research work-in-progress will be submitted twice before a final, written dissertation of approximately 10,000 words. There will be occasional presentations and lectures on research approaches. All students are assigned a tutor in the School based on their experience and proximity to the proposed research topic. Students are responsible for preparing work to discuss with their tutors over the course of the autumn semester.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Establish individual academic research skills and develop critical thinking as instruments for appraisal and innovation in the culture of architecture and landscape.
2. Have acquired the skills of communication and documentation of research and critical thinking.
3. Write with clarity, authority and honesty on their chosen research topic.

Indicative Module Content:

The focus of this module is on individualized research essays. However, included in the teaching of the module is content on research methods, including avoiding plagiarism. This content is directed at all students.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Tutorial

6
Seminar (or Webinar)

2
Autonomous Student Learning

178
Total

186
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Individual supervision is the main mode. Students will occasionally meet in groups with tutors. Occasional plenary content regarding research methods and approaches. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

All students should be able to research and write independently, as the MA-level. Substantial prior experience in writing, particularly through MA-level seminars, is expected.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: An individually supervised research project of approximately 10,000 words to be undertaken over the course of two trimesters that explores some aspect of the designed environment. Unspecified n/a Graded Yes

100

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
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?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Professor Finola O'Kane Crimmins Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Nasrin Seraji Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Elizabeth Shotton Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Daniel Sudhershan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
2 Trimester (Sep-May)
      
Studio Offering 50 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 09:00 - 12:50