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SLL40400

Academic Year 2025/2026

Research Essays (SLL40400)

Subject:
Languages, Cultures & Ling
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Languages, Cultures & Linguis
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
30
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Síofra Pierse
Trimester:
Summer
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This is a Research Essays module for MA in Languages and Image Studies students.
This module offers MALI students the chance to undertake autonomous guided research in their chosen or favourite Image Studies area, through planning and writing two short Extended Guided Essays (5500-6500 words (max) each).

Each MA student will write two short Extended Guided Research Essays as part of this module (5500-6500 words each total, excluding Bibliography).

This is a Research Essays module for MA in Languages and Image Studies students.
This module offers MALI students the chance to undertake autonomous guided research in their chosen or favourite Image Studies area, through planning and writing two short Extended Guided Essays (5500-6500 words (max) each).

Each MA student will write two short Extended Guided Research Essays as part of this module (5500-6500 words each total, excluding Bibliography).

A Research Essay involves formulating a research project on a serious (academic) topic normally arising from the taught modules studied during T1 and T2 of MALI.
Each Research Essay must have a faculty Supervisor (Lecturer, Postdoc or TeachingFellow academic) overseeing it.
Research Essays will normally be written in English and will require advance planning, drafting, organisation and bibliographical work in consultation with the student’s supervisor.

Each Research Essay proposal will include a Chapter Plan and a Bibliography.
Drafts must be sent to student's supervisor.

Research Essays will be due on the designated date (see BrightSpace for submission portal & deadline) which is the final Friday of Week 12 of T3 teaching term.
Each Essay is a Research project normally arising from work done during MALI.

Students will all be guided towards writing their Extended Guided Research Essays work as early as Trimester One.
Please contact the MALI Director for guidance and advice.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:


On completion of this module, students will have
1) Developed the ability to undertake and manage two autonomous research projects during MALI
2) Planned, organised and executed two sustained, in-depth pieces of academic research under the supervision and guidance of a designated member of academic staff (Lecturer or Teaching Fellow)
3) Researched and developed an adequate Bibliography on each chosen Image Studies topic
4) Submitted two guided Research Essays arising from a topic studied within Image Studies modules by the required deadline

Indicative Module Content:

Reflective preparatory work for this module begins as part of MALI in Trimester 1: MALI students will be guided towards writing 2 short Research Essays as part of MALI Meetings with the Programme Director.

Please also contact the Programme Director to discuss topic choice and so the Director may organise and allocate you your two Essay supervisors.

Students must not approach supervisors themselves, please.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

200
Autonomous Student Learning

390
Project Supervision

10
Total

600

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Guided Research work, which involves a great deal of independent learning, but also guided tasks and guided essay-writing.

Students will be guided towards managing two autonomous research projects
Students will be guided such that they can plan, organise and complete two sustained pieces of academic research under the guidance of a member of academic staff.
Students will be guided to research and develop an adequate Bibliography on each chosen research essay topic.
Students will be helped to complete research by the required deadline.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students taking this module should have a BA degree, or equivalent.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Reflective Assignment: Essay A preparatory work: submission of 500-word Abstract (Project summary)
+ Draft (initial) Chapter Plan/ Organisation
+ Draft indicative Bibliography		 Week 4 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
5
 No
Reflective Assignment: Essay B preparatory work: submission of 500-word Abstract (Project summary)
+ Draft (initial) Chapter Plan/ Organisation
+ Draft indicative Bibliography		 Week 4 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
5
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay A:
Short reflection by student re final Bibliography, essay structure, research process (250-500 words).		 Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
5
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay B:
Short reflection by student re final Bibliography, essay structure, research process (250-500 words).		 Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
5
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay A:
MALI Research Essay A (5500-6500 words max) is due on Friday of Week 12, T3 . For further detail discuss with MALI Director. Students are assigned supervisors for this research module.		 Week 12 Graded No
40
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay B:
MALI Research Essay B (5500-6500 words max) is due on Friday of Week 12, T3 . For further detail discuss with MALI Director. Students are assigned supervisors for this research module.		 Week 12 Graded No
40
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn 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?

It is essential that the supervisor gets a chance to discuss an Extended Guided Research Project with the student. The 'Guided' part of these Research Essays is essential.

Name Role
Dr Pascale Baker Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Marco Bellardi Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Katherine Brown Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Eva Bru-Dominguez Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Matthew Hilborn Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Serena Laiena Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Tara Plunkett Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Douglas Smith Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Ana Vera Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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