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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2023/2024

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Centre for Open Learning : Literature, Languages and Cultures

Undergraduate Course: Extended Essay: Literature (LLLG08002)

Course Outline
SchoolCentre for Open Learning CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course of study provides students with an opportunity to  research an area of personal interest within literary studies. Students will engage in independent research, one-to-one discussions with an assigned tutor, skills-based workshops and peer support, and write a long essay (6000 words) on a topic of their own choosing. This course aims to develop skills in research methods and academic writing, and provide the time, space, and academic support,  needed to explore in-depth an area of personal interest.
Course description Choosing a Topic:
Following an initial discussion with the Course Organiser, students will be assigned a tutor who will provide supervision and guidance throughout the course. In the first instance, students will be encouraged to choose a topic that excites them, and to consider the scope, scale and limitations of a 6000 word essay.

One-to-One Support:
Students will meet with their tutor on a one-to-one basis no fewer than three times throughout the course, to discuss essay title, bibliography and secondary materials , essay structure, and general progress. It is expected that during the first of these meetings, students will establish with their tutor an essay title, and discuss a 500 word outline of the project, which will have been prepared in advance by the student.
Prior to the second meeting, students should prepare a draft introduction, essay plan, and/or bibliography on which the tutor will provide feedback during the meeting.
The third meeting should provide opportunity to discuss general progress and to identify any particular challenges or areas of uncertainty.

Workshops and Peer Support:
Although this course focuses on independent study, students will be part of a cohort and, as such, enjoy the benefits of group and peer support. Students will be encouraged to attend at least two tutor-led workshops designed especially for students taking this course, during which topics and skills such as 'research methods' and 'academic voice' will be explored. During these workshops, students will be encouraged to verbally present an overview of their chosen topic, and discuss with peers, their progress.



Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Explore a topic in depth, drawing upon substantial independent research and recognised literary theories;
  2. Read critically and widely, expanding personal knowledge of a chosen topic and utilise recognised research methods to aid learning;
  3. Construct, present and evaluate arguments coherently by assessing, analysing and responding to primary and secondary reading;
  4. Manage a substantial academic project, engaging in self-reflection and responding to guidance.
Reading List
Nigel Fabb and Alan Durant. How to Write Essays and Dissertations: A Guide for English Literature Students . 2nd edition. London: Longman, 2005.
Fowler, Alastair. How to Write. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006 Greetham, Bryan. How to Write Better Essays. Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2001.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Independent enquiry and research
Organisational skills
Confidence in discussing literature
Ability to assess secondary texts
Ability to articulate knowledge coherently
KeywordsEssay,Literature,Extended,Project
Contacts
Course organiserMs Rachael King
Tel:
Email: Rachael.King@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr John Ethcuit
Tel: (0131 6)50 3409
Email: jethcuit@exseed.ed.ac.uk
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