Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Research Project
Code ENGL786
Coordinator Dr WG Slocombe
English
W.Slocombe@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2022-23 Level 7 FHEQ Whole Session 120

Aims

The aim of this module is to provide students with appropriate support to produce an individual piece of research, and consider how to communicate that research in different ways. Through individual support from experts in the field, as well as peer-learning, students will use their research skills to create a substantial piece of research that makes an independent contribution to the field of science fiction. Students will learn through ‘doing’ research, but also through seeing how others ‘do’ research, and learn to produce individual pieces of work through collaboration and working with others.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Upon completion of this module, students will be able to: produce a substantial and coherent piece of work based upon independent research.

(LO2) Upon completion of this module, students will be able to: situate their own thinking in relation to an appropriate body of existing critical work.

(LO3) Upon completion of this module, students will be able to: articulate advanced knowledge of a topic within the field of science fiction.

(S1) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills (Written)

(S2) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills (Oral)

(S3) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S4) Critical thinking and problem solving - Synthesis

(S5) Information skills - Critical reading

(S6) Research skills - All Information skills

(S7) Skills in using technology - Using common applications (word processing, databases, spreadsheets etc)

(S8) Time and project management - Project planning


Syllabus

 

This module supports students in their individual research project through a series of individual supervisions and two facilitated workshops. The aim of these is to balance between individual support and peer-to-peer learning and feedback, to encourage the sharing of working practices and community. The intended syllabus is over the course of a year, with 8 individual supervisions, lasting approximately an hour, scheduled regularly over the course of the project, with two key opportunities to participate in organised group activities, one involving all MA students studying on Science Fiction Studies programmes and one a trouble-shooting workshop towards the conclusion of the module. There will be opportunities provided for online activities to be arranged by students, within groups, to further support their learning and sense of community, structured through their chosen area of specialism but with opportunities to engage more widely.

The syllabus below is indicative, dependin g upon the schedule of individual supervisions:

1. (October) Individual Supervision*
2. (November) Individual Supervision*
3. (December) Individual Supervision*
4. (February) Individual Supervision*
5. (March) Individual Supervision*
6. (April) Online SF Research Conference
7. (May) Individual Supervision*
8. (June) Individual Supervision*
9. (July) Online Group Workshop – A Problem Shared…
10. (August) Individual Supervision*

* online or on-campus (depending upon the study mode chosen by the student)


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching method: Group Workshop
Description: Group session, taught online, with breakout rooms for work in smaller groups, as necessary.
Scheduled directed student hours: 2
Unscheduled directed student hours: -
Attendance recorded: Yes

Teaching method: Individual Supervision
Description: Individual meeting with academic member of staff about progress on the module, and opportunities for discussion. Online or on-campus, depending upon mode of study.
Scheduled directed student hours: -
Unscheduled directed student hours: 8
Attendance recorded: No

Teaching method: SF Research Conference
Description: Conference involving all Masters students studying Science Fiction topics (MA and MRes), where students present a 15-minute paper on their research topic and receive feedback on it, from staff and students. To ameliorate timezone differences, this will be split over two days (2 * 3hrs)
Scheduled directed student hours: 6
Uns cheduled directed student hours: -
Attendance recorded: No

Description of how self-directed learning hours may be used:
Self-directed hours will be used on research, supervision and conference preparation, and work on the assessments, with students pursuing reading and research relevant to their Research Project. There are large number of unsupervised hours, although this is normal considering the nature of individual research, but students will be provided with opportunities to synchronously or asynchronously engage with peers on the module via online platforms.


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours           2

8

6

16
Timetable (if known)           120 mins X 1 totaling 2
60 mins X 1 totaling 8
360 mins X 1 totaling 6
 
 
Private Study 1184
TOTAL HOURS 1200

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Draft Section 1 (No Resit, Not Anonymous)         
Conference Paper [No Resit, Not Anonymous]  15         
Draft Section 2 (No Resit, Not Anonymous)         
Research Project (Resit, Not Anonymous)    100       

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.