FMS8099 - Dissertation / Independent Project
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Fernando Beleza Pinto
- Owning School: School of Modern Languages
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
- Capacity limit: 999 student places
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 3 Credit Value: | 60.0 |
| ECTS: | 30.0 |
Aims
In consonance with the overall aims of the MA in Global Film Practices, this module aims to build on the methodological tools and research skills gained in the taught elements of the programme. It allows students to prepare themselves for doctoral study, where appropriate, or to work in different areas of the cultural sector and creative industries.
There are two routes available:
1. Students may research and write a dissertation (12,000 words) on a specialist subject of their choice, to be agreed with the module leader, and supervised by one of the programme team.
2. Students may undertake an independent project from one of the practice options below. The substance and achievement of the project will be evidenced by appropriate documentation and a reflective account of the process (5,000 words) that will also serve to contextualise the activity in relation to relevant theoretical concepts, historical processes, and local/ regional/ national/ global contexts.
a. an audiovisual piece of between 5 and 12 minutes’ duration.
b. a screenplay of 15-20 pages (3-4000 words, equates to a film of approx. 15-20 mins).
c. a digital curation project.
Outline Of Syllabus
The topic of the dissertation or nature of the independent project should reflect the taught elements of the programme and is to be agreed in consultation with the Degree Programme Director and potential supervisor.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 595:00 | 595:00 | |
| Total | 600:00 | ||||
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
This module will give students the opportunity to research a topic and/or develop an extended independent project, try out knowledge and understanding, and demonstrate an in-depth, critical knowledge of a film topic and/or practice appropriate to Masters level.
Tutorials allow student and supervisor to:
- ascertain progress
- identify problems
- plan study or production tactics and schedule
- develop an overall strategy for completion
They also allow the supervisor to offer staged support through guided and progressively adjusted autonomous learning.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation 1 | 3 | A | 100 | 2 options available: Dissertation of 12,000 words (+/- 10%), OR portfolio (composed of independent project evidenced by documentation and 5,000-word reflective/ critical account). |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Students can elect to:
1. Write a dissertation of 12,000 words (+/-10 %), OR
2. Undertake an independent project from one of the practice options below. The substance and achievement of the project will be evidenced by appropriate documentation and a reflective account of the process (5,000 words, +/-10 %) that will also serve to contextualise the activity in relation to relevant theoretical concepts, historical processes, and local/ regional/ national/ global contexts, where appropriate.
a. An audiovisual piece of between 5 and 12 minutes’ duration.
b. a screenplay of 15-20 pages (3-4000 words, equates to a film of approx. 15-20 mins).
c. a digital curation project.
For students taking the independent project option, the two elements will be weighted 50:50. Students must achieve an average mark of 50% over both components to pass the module.
Students wishing to choose the option to make an audiovisual piece will normally need to have passed Digital Storytelling, The Power of Film Criticism or equivalent.
Students wishing to choose the option to write a screenplay will normally need to have passed FMS8353 Screenwriting or equivalent.
Students wishing to choose the option to create a digital curation project will normally need to have passed Film Exhibition, Archives, and Curation or equivalent.
Written work will allow student to demonstrate higher intellectual skills of understanding, analysis and evaluation. It will also allow candidates to practice personal research and information literacy skills.
Audiovisual production/Screenwriting/ Digital curation will allow students to demonstrate technical skills, as well as appropriate creative skills such as developing film narrative, generating meaning through montage, or selecting and combining different materials to produce a coherent programme or exhibition.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/