Module Directory

Building on the knowledge and skills gained in their language modules and the Year Abroad (if applicable), students will conduct an independent study, under supervision, on a topic related to their chosen language (areas studied at levels 4, 5 and 6). The topic must be approved by their supervisor. The study culminates in a project written in the target language. The project can take the form of:

• A 6,000-word capstone project: for example, a research project on an aspect of culture or society, a literature/film review and analysis (with a focus on a specific author/text or director/film);


• A 5,000-word website with additional information given in web design (pages, links, structure, etc.) and content (pictures, videos, graphs, etc.);


• A 6,000-word translation project consisting of a 2,000 word translation into English and a 4,000-word commentary written in the target language. This is only available to students who are enrolled into LA067 (Translation, Subtitling and Interpreting) or have taken an equivalent translation module during their Year Abroad.

The aims of this module are:

• To develop students' ability to conduct independent research.


• To work with varied and complex sources of information in the target language, thus having the opportunity to develop analytical thinking and problem solving abilities.


• To expand linguistic proficiency and communication skills in the target language.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Have a sound understanding of how to conduct independent research, gather information and report the results of research.


2. Have advanced lexical and grammatical knowledge of the target language, and an in-depth understanding of the topic they have investigated.


3. Have acquired useful transferable skills such as independent learning, planning and organization and editing and digital skills.

Materials placed on Moodle are essential to the module and should be treated like a textbook. They must be downloaded, printed and brought to classes. Materials will be added to Moodle when needed, and you are expected to check updates regularly.

A combination of seminar work, individual supervision in person and by email, and independent study:

• Generic (all languages) weekly support sessions (2 hours each) on research methods and academic skills in the autumn term. The first hour (compulsory) is a seminar in which the teacher provides information on the different aspects of the research project and related activities, the second (optional) is a practical session in which students work on their project in the company of their peers, with help available from the teacher.
• 3 individual supervision sessions in both autumn term and spring term.

Term 0: – Summer Term prior to final year of study:

• Select a topic for study (+ scope and range) and email a suggestion to the language teacher. A supervisor will be assigned.
• With the help of the supervisor, identify research questions, sources of information and data gathering methods and start independent research.
• For translation project only: select a 2,000 word text to translate and email a suggestion to the language supervisor. With the help of the supervisor, identify main translation challenges, sources of information and start independent  
• Send a draft proposal to the supervisor in week 38.
• Complete a written Project Proposal* of 400 words and submit it to the supervisor by week 40. This will count for 10% of the overall mark for the capstone project.

* Any subsequent changes to the proposal will have to be agreed by the supervisor and the module director.

Term 1:

• Attend the generic sessions and the individual sessions with the supervisor.
• Submit a capstone project plan and a bibliography.
• For website only: design a layout and a
• For translation project only: analyse the source text that was chosen at the proposal stage and start translating it. Identify the main translation challenges that will be the focus of the
• Submit short drafts of sections/sub-sections. For the translation project: this should be a mixture of translated passages and translation

Term 2:

• Submit the draft of a section or sections (1,500 words) by week 16. This is a formative piece of assessment, for which students will receive feedback but which will not count towards the final mark.
• Attend the individual sessions with the supervisor.
• Re-write the 1,500 draft in the light of the supervisor’s feedback.
• Write up the project, considering comments from the supervisor and peer review (where applicable).
• For website only: finish the design and incorporate content into

Easter break
Finalise and submit the 6,000 word capstone project (including content page, annotations/bibliography, appendices, etc.) or 5,000 word website (including references to sources) by Tuesday of week 28. This will count for 70% of the overall mark.

Term 3:

Prepare a viva to defend the work: this will consist in a 10 min. oral presentation in week 32, with written support (slides, bibliography), followed by 10 min. questions. This will count for 20% of the overall mark.