FTMDPP: Dissertation or Practical Project

Module code: FTMDPP

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

Credits: 140

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Full year

Module convenor: Professor Lucia Nagib , email: l.nagib@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

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

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The Dissertation or Practical Project module constitutes a major element in the assessment profile of the degree and enables students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in Film/Television and/or Theatre through an extended project focussing on a particular critical or theoretical issue or subject. The module can be taken in two different directions: (1) a written dissertation of 25,000-30,000 words, (2) a practical project (either a performance of c. 35-45 minutes in length with contextualising critical reflective material of 10,000 words or a film of 20-30 mins) with contextualising critical reflective material of 10,000 words.Ìý

Aims:Ìý

The module requires students to conduct independent research with the advice and support of teaching staff, and (1) to produce an extended piece of scholarly writing, or (2) to devise and produce a practical project with supporting analytical documentation. It aims to instruct students how to identify a suitable topic, how to ask appropriate research questions, how to relate critical or theoretical ideas to a specific practical or dissertation project, how to conduct in-depth research and how to organise material and written work in an effective way. It aims to provide guidance and support for those students pursuing research degrees after completing the MA, as well as training in research and technical skills for a variety of potential employment opportunities following the MA.Ìý

Module learning outcomes

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

Option (1) dissertation:

1. identify, refine and research in detail an academic topic in film/television and/or theatre suitable for scholarly enquiry and appropriate to the length of an MA dissertation by researchÌý
2. plan and organise the processes of research and writing of a substantial piece of academic enquiry, using libraries, the internet, interviews and other specialist sourcesÌý
3. sustain over the course of a dissertation a scholarly argument incorporating a critical response to evidence and information derived from a variety of sources, primary and secondaryÌý
4. exercise independent intellectual judgmentÌý
5. demonstrate a wide and critical acquaintance with existing literature relating to the dissertation topicÌý
6. critically consider the possibilities of undertaking further research work in film/television and/or theatre.Ìý

Option (2) practical film/television making and/or theatre making project:Ìý

1. identify and research a critical topic in film and/or theatre suitable for both scholarly enquiry and exploration through practice and appropriate to MA levelÌý
2. demonstrate the critical, technical and organisational expertise required to produce films and/or theatre performancesÌý
3. demonstrate systematic and coherent decision making in the production of a film/television and/or theatre performanceÌý
4. demonstrate skills of leadership and team working appropriate to film/television and/or theatre practiceÌýÌý
5. relate practical decisions in film/television and/or theatre to theoretical, critical and cultural ideas developed in earlier or concurrent modules;Ìý
6. be able to deploy relevant technologies and practices in a sophisticated and confident manner.Ìý

ThisÌýmodule plays a significant role in the continuing development of other skills and competencies which are central to the programme. It is expected that the level of skills and competencies achieved in the following will be appropriate to the l