Module Information
Module Identifier
ENM3020
Module Title
Research and Project Planning
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Portfolio (A two-part portfolio of coursework (c. 3000 words) comprising a detailed proposal (2000 words) for a literary studies dissertation OR a research-based writing project and an annotated bibliography (1000 words excluding bibliographic entries themselves) | 60% |
| Semester Assessment | Presentation (15 minutes, plus 5 minutes Q&A) | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Portfolio (A two-part portfolio of coursework (c. 3000 words) comprising a detailed proposal (2000 words) for a literary studies dissertation OR a research-based writing project and an annotated bibliography (1000 words excluding bibliographic entries themselves) | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Presentation (15 minutes, plus 5 minutes Q&A) | 40% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Conceive of, plan, and critically contextualise an original piece of research or creative writing.
2. Produce a detailed, annotated bibliography that demonstrates critical assessment of key research texts for each student’s project.
3. Conceive of, plan, and deliver a professional conference-style oral presentation on their project, as well as respond verbally to questions about the presentation.
4. Present critical and/or creative work to a professional academic standard.
Brief description
This 10-week module introduces MA students to the skills they will need to:
formulate a project that is suitable for their subsequent MA Dissertation or Writing Portfolio;
create a robust and detailed project proposal;
produce a secure and realistic research timetable;
articulate the contribution to knowledge/artistic practice that their project will offer;
create an annotated bibliography of key research texts for their project;
present an aspect of their project in a professional conference-style format.
formulate a project that is suitable for their subsequent MA Dissertation or Writing Portfolio;
create a robust and detailed project proposal;
produce a secure and realistic research timetable;
articulate the contribution to knowledge/artistic practice that their project will offer;
create an annotated bibliography of key research texts for their project;
present an aspect of their project in a professional conference-style format.
Content
Teaching on this module consists of four two-hour group sessions, combining lecture and seminar formats, as well as four intensive one-to-one supervision meetings, one week of independent directed study, and one week of individual practice presentations:
Week 1
Introduction; creating & writing a project proposal; planning your research timeline
Week 2
Independent directed study: defining your project area, writing your initial ideas
Week 3
Individual Supervision 1 (30 minutes) – pitching your proposed project, followed by formative verbal feedback; advice on the required sections of your project proposal
Week 4
Individual Supervision 2 (30 minutes) – formative written and verbal feedback on your project synopsis and research questions / and creative practice questions
Week 5
Individual Supervision 3 (30 minutes) – formative written and verbal feedback on the structural breakdown of your project, your contribution to knowledge/unique selling point, and your project timetable
Week 6
Digital resources and electronic media (led by subject librarian); producing annotated bibliographies
Week 7
Individual Supervision 4 (30 minutes): formative written and verbal feedback on your annotated bibliography
Week 8
Conference presentations: best practice in presentation and handling questions; initial planning
Week 9
Individual Presentation Practice (30 minutes): formative verbal feedback on your practice oral presentation
Week 10
Assessment advice; Q&A
Week 1
Introduction; creating & writing a project proposal; planning your research timeline
Week 2
Independent directed study: defining your project area, writing your initial ideas
Week 3
Individual Supervision 1 (30 minutes) – pitching your proposed project, followed by formative verbal feedback; advice on the required sections of your project proposal
Week 4
Individual Supervision 2 (30 minutes) – formative written and verbal feedback on your project synopsis and research questions / and creative practice questions
Week 5
Individual Supervision 3 (30 minutes) – formative written and verbal feedback on the structural breakdown of your project, your contribution to knowledge/unique selling point, and your project timetable
Week 6
Digital resources and electronic media (led by subject librarian); producing annotated bibliographies
Week 7
Individual Supervision 4 (30 minutes): formative written and verbal feedback on your annotated bibliography
Week 8
Conference presentations: best practice in presentation and handling questions; initial planning
Week 9
Individual Presentation Practice (30 minutes): formative verbal feedback on your practice oral presentation
Week 10
Assessment advice; Q&A
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | N/A |
| Communication | Written and oral communication in assessed work; oral communication in supervision sessions and seminars. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Developing written and oral skills in response to substantial formative feedback in individual supervision sessions. |
| Information Technology | Undertaking research for project planning; preparation of annotated bibliography. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Through critical self-reflection; transferrable communication and research skills. |
| Problem solving | Identifying an appropriate research/writing topic; designing a detailed research/writing plan and timetable to support this. |
| Research skills | Undertaking research for individual supervision sessions; preparation of annotated bibliography. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Ability to construct a project plan appropriate to a literary studies MA dissertation or a creative writing MA project; ability to assess relevant critical and creative sources. |
| Team work | Participation and collaboration in seminars. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7