Study information

Research Project Development

Module titleResearch Project Development
Module codeDRAM039
Academic year2019/0
Credits45
Module staff

(Lecturer)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Module description

This module offers you two challenges. Firstly to locate your work within the landscape of current research in the discipline, by defining the field of your work and how it relates to the broader vista of research within Drama, Performance Studies and beyond. The second challenge is to articulate a defined research project. Both tasks are primarily achieved through careful reference to bibliography. You will make two presentations on your response to these challenges, and write up their approach to defining a research project in the light of peer feedback from seminars and discussions.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to support you to:

  • Identify a research field within the discipline of drama, and define an individual research project
  • Explore the meaning of a research culture in the seminar from specific examples of current projects presented by the lecturers and other staff and postgraduates of the department
  • Research and present an outline of your chosen field and project to the seminar group, and to deliver a researched paper on a chosen project

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Identify a research field within the discipline, and define a specific research inquiry, at the forefront of the discipline
  • 2. Demonstrate both a systematic knowledge of the research field and specialist research knowledge of a specific area
  • 3. Acquire a comprehensive understanding of methodologies applicable to your own work

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 4. Evaluate and analyse complex, incomplete or contradictory areas of research, and apply that understanding to the coherent formation of your own research interests
  • 5. Develop a critical awareness to synthesise information in innovative ways
  • 6. Demonstrate initiative and act autonomously in problem-solving tasks at a professional or equivalent level

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 7. Develop a sophisticated appreciation of the research work of others through listening and dialogue
  • 8. Develop the capacity for providing and receiving sensitive criticism at a professional level, and the capacity for self-reliant, independent inquiry
  • 9. Engage confidently in academic and professional discourse

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

  • Introduction to research inquiry and project development
  • Presentation of research projects by staff and postgraduates
  • Seminars on the definitions of research fields
  • Research project outline: introduction
  • Seminar discussion of research project outlines
  • Researched presentations
  • Concluding discussion and feedback

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
224280

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching22Seminars
Guided independent study428Private study

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
1 research field outline presentation25 minutes1-9Oral feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
One analytical definition of a research field25 2500 words1-9Written feedback
One research project outline presentation2530 minutes1-9Oral feedback
One analytical definition of a research project504000 words1-9Written feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
One analytical definition of a research fieldOne analytical definition of a research field1-9Referral/Deferral period
One research project outline presentationPresentation or piece of written work1-9Referral/Deferral period
One analytical definition of a research projectOne analytical definition of a research project1-9Referral/Deferral period

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further literature review. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

  • L.Laughlin and C.Schuler, eds, Theatre and Feminist Aesthetics (London: Associated University Presses, 1996)
  • G.Ley, From Mimesis to Interculturalism (University of Exeter Press, 1999)
  • G.Ley, Composing a History: the British Asian theatre research project at Exeter, Studies in Theatre and Performance 30.2 (2010)
  • 225-32 T.Postlewait and B. McConachie, eds, Interpreting the Theatrical Past (Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1989)
  • J.Reinelt and J.Roach, eds, Critical Theory and Performance (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1992)
  • S.Riley and L.Hunter (eds.) Mapping Landscapes for Performance as Research (Basingstoke: Palgrave,, 2009)
  • A.Solomon and F.Minwalla, eds, The Queerest Art: essays on lesbian and gay theatre (New York: New York University Press, 2002)
  • M.Twycross, ed., Festive Drama (Cambridge: D.S.Brewer, 1996)
  • D.Williams, ed., Collaborative Theatre (London: Routledge, 1999)
  • W.B.Worthen and P.Holland, eds, Theorising Practice: Redefining Theatre History (Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2004)
  • T.Postlewait, ed., The Cambridge Introduction to Theatre Historiography (Cambridge: 2009)

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

  • Exeter Digital Archives
  • Video and DVD recordings (to be detailed during module)

Key words search

research project, research field, discipline, bibliography

Credit value45
Module ECTS

22.5

Module pre-requisites

None

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

7

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

2011

Last revision date

19/11/2018