Credit Points: 15
Study Time: 150 Hours

In this unit you will develop further your research skills, critical skills and analytical skills. You will look at the creative process, in relation to your chosen specialism. This can be the opportunity to examine the work of a particular practitioner or group of practitioners, and to explore the themes, influences, and cultural and intellectual context of their work. It is also a chance to analyse their work on the basis of their methodology and the various technologies and techniques used, and to critically position their work with respect to their contemporaries.

Outline syllabus

The syllabus is designed to help clarify your approach to research, which is an essential practical component of the design process, as well as a necessary part of furthering your education. You will learn about research, optimising the use of the library and specialist online research resources, how to develop concept-maps of your specialist area, how to use technology-forecasting techniques to create a realistic scenario of how your specialist area might develop in the short-term, and how to create a research report and illustrated presentation from your work. You will also learn how to deal with quotations and the use of copyright materials, how to format citations and references, and how to present your research, in both an academic and studio context.

• Research methodology 
• Conceiving the concept 
• Creating an emotional landscape 
• Development of critical argument 
• Organisation and presentation of research 
• Visual, literal and stylistic reference points

Method of delivery
Lectures; seminars; individual and group tutorials.

Aims

A1 To identify links between your specialism and the relevant historical, contextual, cultural and conceptual frameworks
A2  To apply and evaluate the organisational skills which will enable independent learning and self-management.
A3 To apply skills in sustained academic writing 
A4 To enhance creative ambition

Learning Outcomes
On the completion of this unit, you will be able to:

LO1 Demonstrate your ability to make links between your specialism and the relevant historical, contextual, cultural and conceptual frameworks
LO2 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of organisational skills and evidence of independent learning and self-management
LO3 Demonstrate ability to apply underlying concepts, plan, structure and write critical argument in essay form as well as in presentations in a studio context

Reference material

Key

Bell, J. (1999). Doing your research project. (3rd ed.). Buckingham: Open University Press.
Gash, S. (1999). Effective literature searching for research. (2nd ed.). Aldershot: Gower Press.
Hart, C. (2001). Doing a literature search. London: Sage.
Mackendrick, A. On Film-making. London: Faber: 2004.
Murch, W. (1995). In the Blink of an Eye. A Perspective on Film Editing. Beverly Hills: Silman-James Press.
Stone, J. (1997). Eye on the World. Conversations with Filmmakers. Beverly Hills: Silman-James Press.

Recommended
Glatthorn, A. (1998). Writing the winning dissertation. Thousand Oaks, Ca: Corwin Press.
Howard, David (2004). How to build a great screenplay. New York: St Martin's Press.
Polanski, R. (1984). Roman by Roman. London: Heinemann.
Rudestam, K. (2000). Surviving your dissertation. London: Sage.
Swetnam,D. (1997). Writing your dissertation – how to plan, prepare, and present your work successfully. (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. William, N. (2001). Your research project. London: Sage.

Additional guidance on primary and secondary sources and other appropriate material will be provided by your tutor and Subject Librarian.