| Unit name | Independent Study: Capstone Project |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THTR30028 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Mark France |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of Theatre |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
The unit will provide a structured and supervised opportunity for final-year students to either a) research, develop and present a student-directed practice-as-research project, b) develop and complete a collaborative student-directed performance project, or c) pursue an independent research dissertation, written on an agreed topic of interest within the areas of theatre and performance studies. The unit prepares students for postgraduate study or professional practice in the creative, heritage, or related industries.
Each of these three pathways—Practice-as-Research, Performance Project, and Dissertation—offers students a distinct yet equally rigorous approach to independent study within theatre and performance studies. Whether developing a practice-as-research project, working on a performance, or producing an extended piece of written scholarship, students will refine their critical, creative, and practical skills while engaging in self-directed inquiry. All pathways culminate in a presentation of work at Gradfest, the student-produced showcase where students present their work to peers, department staff, and external audiences. This flexibility allows students to tailor their capstone project to their individual strengths, interests, and career aspirations while reinforcing the skills gained throughout their degree.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study:
This unit is a capstone project giving you the opportunity to draw from the broad range of skills, knowledge and methodologies encountered throughout the degree. It allows you to identify, select, and apply the skills acquired over the course of the degree to a project of your choice.
Your learning on this unit
Overview
Students will first develop research and project management skills while planning, pitching, and shaping their chosen project pathway. Whether working on a Practice-as-Research Project, a Performance Project, or a Dissertation, students will submit a pitch or proposal (abstract) in TB1. Based on this submission, an appropriate supervisor(s) will be assigned.
Project Development & Delivery:
Under the guidance of a supervisor(s), students refine their pitch, develop a structured research plan, and carry out their project. The final findings will be presented as part of Gradfest.
Under the guidance of a supervisor(s), students refine their concept, establish a rehearsal schedule, and produce a fully realised public performance as part of Gradfest.
Under the guidance of a supervisor(s), students define their research focus, structure their argument, and complete a dissertation. The key findings and arguments will be shared with a public audience at Gradfest.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will develop project management skills: you be able to identify and implement appropriate modes of inquiry, develop and manage a project schedule and deliver results to deadline. You will also develop specific practical and/or research skills appropriate to your inquiry. Students will develop the skills and confidence needed to embark on postgraduate and/or professional practice and research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
How you will learn
Initially, lecture, seminar and online discussion sessions will largely be focussed on professionalisation, research methodologies and on formulating initial project pitches or proposals (abstracts). Subsequently, meetings between students and supervisors will establish the parameters of the project’s scope, mode of inquiry and method for sharing research findings or creative outputs. Once these parameters have been established, students and supervisors will meet regularly to discuss/observe and support progress.
Tasks which do not count towards your unit mark but are required for credit (zero-weighted):'
A Project Pitch or Research Proposal identifying the project focus/research question, mode of enquiry and form of presentation (approximately 1000-words) [ILOs 1,2]
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Students will complete one of the following pairs of assessments, according to their pathway:
For a Practice-as-Research Project
Creative Presentation of research findings (80%) [ILOs 1-3]
Individual reflection (20%) [ILO 4]
For a Performance Project
Performance, individual or group (80%) [ILOs 1-3]
Individual viva (in-person OR audio recording of response to pre-given questions), 10-minute (20%) [ILO 4]
For a Dissertation
10,000-word dissertation (80%) [ILOs 1-3]
Poster presentation of research findings for public audience (20%) [ILO 4]
When assessment does not go to plan:
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. THTR30028).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
