FT2CRIT: Independent Critical Project

Module code: FT2CRIT

Module provider: Film, Theatre and TV; School of Arts and Comm Design

Credits: 40

Level: 5

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr David Foster , email: d.foster@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE FT2CSP OR TAKE FT2CCPP (Compulsory)

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 16 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module aims to develop your ability to apply the research skills and knowledge to an area of individual interest in an extended research project with creative component on a topic not directly taught on the course, and which is initiated and developed independently but under supervision. Each student will develop the parameters of their own research project in close dialogue with their supervisor, who will also approve the students’ research proposal before it can proceed.   

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Select appropriate methodologies for written academic work; employ skills of research, organisation, presentation and analysis; effectively communicate an argument in clear and accurate prose
2. Demonstrate the ability to plan on paper a coherent project in theatre, film, television or mixed media which draws convincingly on critical and theoretical debates and practices encountered elsewhere on the course
3. Realise a project with a creative component that is internally coherent, systematic and imaginative in its decision making and that is informed by an appropriate critical and conceptual agenda
4. Evaluate your project self-critically, analysing both local and systemic levels of decision making, in the light both of independent reading and research and selected examples of theatre, performance, film or television practice
5. To develop students’ skills in effectively shaping an extensive and appropriately contextualised piece of written work that fully expresses their research process, critical thinking and research findings
6. Develop skills and competencies associated with critical argument and academic writing: appropriate deployment of research using printed and electronic resources; critical analysis and coherent argument; undertaking increasingly independent work; presentation of written work (and possibly graphics and data) using IT; identifying and addressing problems in the analysis of film, TV and/or theatre texts. Tutorial work also encourages the further development of oral communication skills and the ability to present and defend ideas in one-to-one discussion.

Module content

Students will plan and execute a individual project on a chosen topic in film, theatre, television, or a combination of these. Students will meet with their supervisors to begin detailed plans for the structure and approach of their project, including their creative component. Drafts of writing and creative component will be discussed in tutorials before final submission. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Students will meet regularly with their supervisor to develop their project as well as attending taught skills sessions. Emphasis in supervision will be on the development of a project which is appropriate in scale, achievable within readily available resources and informed by clear critical objectives. Supervisors may read and comment on draft sections but may not comment on the work in its entirety in draft form. 

Study hours

At least 6 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details