Module Code and Title:       ENP302          English Project II

Programme:                          BA in English Studies

Credit Value:                         12

Module Tutor:                       All English department faculty

Module Coordinator:            Sonam Deki

General objective: This is the second part of a two-semester thesis project, the purpose of which is to give students the opportunity to conduct independent research in the areas of literary and cultural studies. The project as a whole is intended to synthesize skills and knowledge that students have acquired prior to this point in their studies, and to demonstrate their mastery thereof. By the end of ENP301, students will have produced a detailed project proposal which will form the basis of their work in ENP302. In order to reach this stage, they will first decide between two types of projects, these being: 1) a critical thesis; 2) a creative writing project. All students continuing to ENP302 will be expected to have a clearly formulated research proposal or project outline. ENP302 will focus on the execution of these projects in a clear and methodical manner. The culmination of ENP302 will be a complete research thesis or creative project. Students will be expected to spend the majority of their time during the module ENP302 writing their theses or creating their projects. They are expected to meet regular deadlines and improve upon the feedback given by their tutors.

Learning outcomes – On completion of this module, learners should be able to: 

For the critical thesis option:

1. Work methodically towards answering research question(s).
2. Conduct independent research based on a proposal.
3. Write at length and in detail on literary texts.
4. Produce a complete thesis or project including a bibliography and appendices where necessary.
5. Edit and revise larger pieces of writing.
6. Manage time effectively in order to produce a thesis or project in a timely manner.
7. Synthesise information, views, and background information from a range of sources.
8. Construct an informed argument about literature based on independent research.

For the creative project option:

1. Work methodically towards producing a substantial creative written work.
2. Practice idea generating techniques to initiate new portions of a creative work or to overcome writer’s block.
3. Document and reflect on their writing processes.
4. Maintain thematic cohesiveness in a creative work.
5. Maintain consistency in style throughout a creative work.
6. Solicit and incorporate feedback on drafts of a creative work.
7. Produce and present a complete creative work.

Learning and Teaching Approach:

Students may also request additional tutorials, and tutors may ask particular students to report more frequently on their progress, or to attend extra tutorial sessions, as necessary.

The supervisor should take a less active role in in ENP 302 than in ENP 301, allowing the student to take the initiative in moving their project forward, and in completing it. However, supervisors should be prepared to intervene when students’ lack of progress or errors of judgement threaten the project as a whole. The supervisor will perform the following roles in ENP 302:

1. Deliver whole-class lectures giving general input on progressing and completing a research project.
2. Lead targeted skills workshops for small groups, tailored to students based on their weaknesses.
3. Provide feedback indicating general strengths and areas for improvement, but with less specific detail than in ENP301.
4. Guide students to schedule their work-plan for the completion of the project, and ensure that students adhere to this schedule.

Assessment Approach:

A. Weekly progress: Portion of Final Mark: 10%

Tutors will monitor and assess the progress made by students during their weekly tutorials. Assessment will be based on the ‘Participation and preparedness’ rubric.

B. Thesis draft: Portion of Final Marks: 25%

The first draft of the thesis will be due by the mid-term. Tutors will be expected to return the drafts with comments within three weeks of receiving them. Assessment will be based on the ‘Analytical Writing’ rubric.

C. Final thesis: Portion of Final Marks: 50%

The final thesis will be graded based on depth and quality of research, synthesis of sources, originality of the project (particularly for the Creative Thesis option), the application of previous knowledge, the quality of argument, writing skills, execution of the research proposal and conformity to guidelines for academic writing e.g. Correctly formatted citations, bibliography etc. Each thesis will be graded by a primary reader i.e. the tutor and the grade will be verified by a second reader. Assessment will be based on the ‘Analytical Writing’ rubric.

D. Thesis viva and presentation: Portion of Final Mark: 15%

The aim of the viva is to check the student’s depth of understanding, as well as review his or her original contribution beyond research. Students may also be asked to present their research or project to their peers. Assessment will be based on the ‘Oral tasks’ rubric.

Pre-requisites: ENP301 English Project I

Subject matter:

1. For the critical thesis:
   • Research skills
     • Time management
     • Working towards a research question or goal
   • Structuring a thesis
     • Basic considerations of structuring a long piece of writing
     • Considerations on the relationship between structure and argument
     • The introduction
     • Body paragraphs
     • The conclusion
   • Constructing an argument
     • Use of thesis statements in longer pieces of writing
     • Revising thesis statements
     • Integration of critical and theoretical sources into an argument.
   • Revising academic writing
     • Re-reading work critically
     • Editing details
     • Restructuring a thesis
   • Citing adequate evidence
     • Deciding what secondary sources to include
     • Deciding between quoting, paraphrasing and summarising

1. For a creative project:
   • Progressing a creative thesis
     • Generating writing ideas
     • Dealing with writer's block
   • The reflective essay
     • The role of the reflective essay
     • Relating the creative component to the reflective essay
   • Creating a coherent project
     • Deciding on theme or focus
     • Editing for consistency
   • Revising creative work
     • Revising a large project
     • Editing details
     • Working on consistency of style

Reading List:

1. Essential Reading
   • Baker, N. (2000). A research guide for undergraduate students: English and American literature. New York: Modern Language Association of America.
   • Purdue University Online Writing Lab. Retrieved from https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
   • Young, T. (2008). Studying English literature. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
2. Additional Reading
   • To be identified, evaluated and used by students as part of their research. Students will also be expected to re-visit texts from relevant modules from semesters I-IV depending on their chosen project type.

Date: December 20, 2015

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