View Specification DocumentFTV Dissertation (Short Version) FTV4005P
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Culture and Creative Arts
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
- Typically Offered: Runs Throughout Semesters 1 and 2
- Available to Visiting Students: No
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
In the short dissertation course, students complete independent research on a topic of their choice, submitting their dissertation in a written and/or audio-visual format. Students are prepared for the dissertation through a workshop and proposal process, starting in the third term of their Junior Honours year and are supported up until the end of Semester One of the Senior Honours year by an assigned supervisor. The dissertation is submitted near the beginning of Semester Two of the Senior Honours year.
Timetable
3 hour dissertation workshop in third term of Junior Honours year
2 hour workshop at the beginning of Senior Honours year (students will attend a different meeting according to whether they are taking the written option or one containing audio-visual elements)
Minimum of 3 meetings (maximum one hour duration each) with supervisor throughout the research process. There will be a supervisory 'cut-off' point at the end of Semester One of the Senior Honours year and the dissertation will be submitted early in Semester Two.
Requirements of Entry
Successful completion of Junior Honours in Film and Television Studies.
Excluded Courses
Applied Dissertation GMAC (FTV4112P)
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
The standard assessments for this course are:
■ Option One
Type of Assessment | Word Count/Duration or Equivalent | Weighting |
Written Dissertation | 7,000 words | 80% |
Process mark | Based on portfolio of documentation accrued through the research/production process, as witnessed by the supervisor (e.g. meeting notes, drafts, e-mail exchanges, the finished product) | 20% |
■ Option Two
Type of Assessment | Word Count/Duration or Equivalent | Weighting |
Audiovisual/Written Dissertation | Complementary audio-visual essay (5 minutes) and 3,500 word essay | 80% |
Process Mark | Based on portfolio of documentation accrued through the research/production process, as witnessed by the supervisor (e.g. meeting notes, drafts, e-mail exchanges, the finished product) | 20% |
■ Option Three
Type of Assessment Audiovisual dissertation
Process Mark
| Word Count/Duration or Equivalent Audiovisual dissertation (10 minutes) and 500 words written contextualising statement. Based on portfolio of documentation accrued through the research/production process, as witnessed by the supervisor (e.g. meeting notes, drafts, email exchanges, the finished product) | Weighting 80%
20% |
If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: ■ There are no alternatives to the assessments, but flexible deadlines and extra time can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions).
Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.
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Course Aims
This course will provide the opportunity to:
■ construct a research project on an appropriate topic, which is clear and realistic in scope, and seeks to make a contribution both to student's own learning and to debates within their chosen field.
■ develop independent research skills.
■ produce an extended piece of work, in written and/or audio-visual form, with evidence of original research.
■ develop professional standards for the presentation of research material.
■ use the supervision process to develop skills in communication (both oral and written) and in using feedback (both oral and written).
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
■ exhibit a range of transferable research skills including the ability to: organise time and resources effectively over the duration of the dissertation research and production process; identify and access relevant source materials; use information technology to retrieve and store information; identify appropriate research methods for the project.
■ communicate effectively with their supervisor and use feedback constructively and reflectively in producing a final dissertation
■ evince a thorough knowledge and understanding of the chosen topic and a critical awareness of the relationship of their own research to other work in the field.
■ present research information and argument in an appropriate and well-structured form, applying recognised academic forms to the presentation of bibliographic material, appendices and footnotes.