SEL3364 : Independent Essay I (English Literature)
SEL3364 : Independent Essay I (English Literature)
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Professor James Annesley
- Owning School: English Lit, Language & Linguistics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
To allow students to research and write a long essay that reflects their own particular interests and intellectual strengths.
To demonstrate an ability to plan, conceptualise, research and execute an independent piece of work.
To foster independent thinking and develop research skills and skills in critical thinking, writing and presentation.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module allows students to write an essay on a self-directed topic in English Literature. Students will have considerable choice in terms of how they decide to proceed and could choose to orientate their research towards the analysis of written texts, or film or theatre, or indeed to shape a project that is interdisciplinary in character.
They will be asked to identify their likely area of interest at the start of the semester. In this process they will be supported by the module leader and provided with guided learning activities to support them in their initial planning. They will then be assigned a supervisor and be expected to work with that supervisor over the remaining months of the module. In regular meetings, they will discuss the overall design of their essay. There will be further support in the form of guided learning activities relating to academic skills, independent research, approaches to argument and scholarly presentation.
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
Students will gain knowledge of a particular topic in depth through extended independent study supported by a member of staff.
Intended Skill Outcomes
By the end of the module the student will be able to:
- formulate a critical approach
- demonstrate research skills of assembling and documenting reading appropriate to a topic
- demonstrate skills in independent working
- structure critical thinking in relation to writing a long essay
- assimilate information from a range of sources
- demonstrate skills in writing and presenting a piece of work
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 50:00 | 50:00 | N/A |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 70:00 | 70:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 72:00 | 72:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Students will be guided initially by the module leader and then directed to consult with a member of staff about their topic and approach. They will only be allowed to begin to work on their essay when their topic has been approved.
There will be regular consultation with the supervisor over the semester to check progress and to support reading, study and conceptual approach. Students are given more formal support with the guided learning activities and are provided with the opportunity for scheduled drop in/surgery sessions with the module leader.
The main aim of the independent essay is to foster skills of independent working and to allow the students to plan and complete an independent piece of work.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | A | 90 | 4,500 word essay, plus or minus 10% |
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 10 | The mid-module will be assessed by a 250-word project plan and an annotated bibliography containing at least 10 items. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The 4,500-word essay written under individual supervision will demonstrate both detailed knowledge of the student's chosen subject and that they acquired the appropriate skills. This will be submitted at the end of the semester.
The mid-module assessment of a 250-word plan and an annotated bibliography is designed to ensure that students keep up steady progress on their essay over the semester, and to provide formative feedback that can be taken forward into the writing of the essay.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- SEL3364's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- SEL3364's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.