LT983-7-FY-CO:
Dissertation: MA Film Studies

The details
2024/25
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 27 June 2025
80
08 November 2023

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

MA QV2312 Film Studies,
MA QV2324 Film Studies,
MA P3P312 Documentary Film,
MA P3P324 Documentary Film

Module description

Your dissertation is the centrepiece of your MA work. It gives you the opportunity to develop and to demonstrate your skills as an academic researcher and scholarly author, as you investigate and interpret a topic of your choosing.

The MA in Film Studies and MA in Film and Literature offer three options for the dissertation:

- a written dissertation of 15,000 words excluding bibliography and footnotes, which should adhere to the criteria outlined for the MA in Literature
- a practical/creative film or digital project (recommended length of 15-30 minutes total, depending on format and genre) accompanied by a shorter written component (6,000 words) excluding bibliography and footnotes
- a screenplay of approx. 90 to 120 pages (equivalent of feature length, depending on format and genre) which will be assessed according to the marking criteria for MA Creative Writing dissertations AND a critical commentary of 6,000 words excluding notes and bibliography.

Module aims

The aims of the dissertation are to demonstrate:

1. comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a selected current research area
2. the planning and execution of a substantial research project with guidance from a supervisor
3. a sustained, coherent argument based on critical and/or creative writing skills as appropriate

Module learning outcomes

In preparation of and as part of the dissertation, students should be able to:

1. conduct effective research
2. write within disciplinary perspectives and genres, using academic conventions, and creating a longer, well-argued piece of writing
3. explore, analyse and present a coherent argument, involving a range of information from different soucres and/or disciplinary contexts as appropriate

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

Supervisory meetings with a Supervisor from the Spring Term onwards

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Dissertation (please see the Postgraduate Taught Handbook 2024/25 for word counts for each MA degree)  01/09/2025  100% 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

100 per cent Coursework Mark

Reassessment

100 per cent Coursework Mark

Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Sean Seeger, email: saseeg@essex.ac.uk.
Various
LiFTS General Office - email liftstt@essex.ac.uk. Telephone 01206 872626

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

Dr Andrew Birtwistle
Canterbury Christ Church University
Reader in Film and Sound
Resources
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.

 

Further information

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