DISSERTATION - 2020/1

Module code: THE3037

Module Overview


This module enables students to conduct significant independent study, supported by a supervisor and resulting in either written or part written/part practical outcomes

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

SHAUGHNESSY Robert (GSA)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content:

The choice of Dissertation topic may arise from a specific theatre interest developed through theoretical and/or practical experience in year 1-2 or from professional training. The topic should have appropriate content and parameters and should be designed to demonstrate the student’s analytical, critical and evaluative skills.

Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Project (Group/Individual/Dissertation) Coursework 100

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

identification of a specific research area and question

assessment of existing research in the field

skills of forming, articulating, securing and sustaining an approach to a research topic

Thus, the summative assessment for this module (chosen by the student) consists of:

A) Written element 100% (8000 words)

B) Written element 75% (6000 words) Practical element 25%

C) Written element 50% (4000 words)

Practical element 50%

Formative assessment and Feedback

Supervisors will advise on the development of the dissertation and feedback on a draft copy, or sections of draft material

Module aims

  • Allow a student to undertake a structured, independent exploration of an area of particular interest, leading to an extended piece of research
  • Develop students' research skills and methods, utilising the research facilities offered by the School and the University and supported by a research supervisor

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Research a specific area, identify boundaries for research and methods for conducting enquiry CKPT
002 Plan a long and complex research process; find, evaluate and organise appropriate research materials; establish and refer to a range of relevant resources; conceptualise and articulate a clear argument and structure a long piece of writing CKT
003 Sustain self-motivated enquiry, recognise the changing needs of the researcher and the project to produce a dissertation for a specific deadline and in an agreed form PT

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Prepare students to locate themselves as independent researchers within an existing academic field. The module will enable students to demonstrate methodologies, methods and strategies for effective research, and time and opportunity to try particular approaches in a sustained project. Students will be supported by a supervisor, who will be able to monitor the students’ emerging work. Staff will be able to comment in person and on draft material.

The learning and teaching methods include:


  • One-to-one supervision meetings

  • Lecture/workshop sessions on research methods and writing skills


Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: THE3037

Other information

Under the three term structure that commences from academic year 2019/0 – this module’s delivery is year-long due to the teaching occurring in Teaching Blocks 1 and 2.

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Theatre and Performance BA (Hons)(YEAR LONG) Year-long Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Theatre and Performance with Creative Writing BA (Hons)(YEAR LONG) Year-long Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Theatre and Performance with Film Studies BA (Hons)(YEAR LONG) Year-long Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.