Course Catalogue

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The 'portfolio option' consists of two 2,500 word essays engaging with topics in a particular field, the goal being to provide students with little or no previous experience in a given field with a broad-based overview of a new subject area and the curricula and topics are elaborated in consultation between the student and the relevant staff members and then agreed with the course director. The portfolio model is not solely limited to periods or genres within one language area and can be adapted to service team-taught projects combining research foci from across the School.

8 hours in total, times to be arranged in consultation with students.

Acceptance onto a Masters-Level Programme currently on offer within the University.

N/a

Assessment consists of two essays of 2,500 words (weighted equally).

The postgraduate portfolio option in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures is designed to provide a flexible framework for accommodating student interests and developing knowledge and research skills in the context of a directed programme of study and research resulting in two short pieces (each typically of about 2,500 words), typically examining a complementary range of topics and issues within a larger field of study. The course aims to:

■ develop knowledge in a specialist area within European-language cinema, literary, text-image or cultural studies;

■ develop distinctive and personal critical positions in relation to specialist areas within European-language cinema, literary, text-image or cultural studies;

■ develop independent research skills;

■ foster critical writing and presentational skills appropriate to the area of study.

By the end of this course you will be able to:

■ demonstrate specialist knowledge and advanced understanding in the analytical study of a selected area within European or global European cultural studies;

■ demonstrate skills in research methodology appropriate to the field;

■ situate cultural artefacts and specific issues in their historical and cultural contexts;

■ situate, evaluate and apply critical approaches relevant to the selected area of study;

■ work independently in the context of directed research activity;

■ identify, formulate and solve problems in the context of assessment work for the course;

■ demonstrate communication and presentational skills appropriate to the requirements of the course.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.