View Specification DocumentFTV Dissertation (Long Version) FTV4006P
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Culture and Creative Arts
- Credits: 40
- 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 long 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 throughout by an assigned supervisor. The dissertation is submitted after the Spring vacation in 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 6 meetings (maximum one hour duration each) with supervisor throughout the research process. There will be a supervisory cut-off point before the Spring vacation of the Senior Honours year and the dissertation will be submitted after the Spring vacation.
Requirements of Entry
Successful completion of Junior Honours Film and Television Studies.
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
The standard assessments for this course are:
Option One
Type of Assessment | Word Count/Duration or Equivalent | Weighting |
Written Dissertation | 12,000 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% |
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Option Two
Type of Assessment | Word Count/Duration or Equivalent | Weighting |
Audiovisual/Written Dissertation | Complementary audio-visual essay (10 minutes) and 5,000 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% |
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Option Three
Type of Assessment | Word Count/Duration or Equivalent | Weighting |
Audiovisual Dissertation | Audiovisual dissertation (20 minutes) and 500 words written contextualising statement | 80% |
Course Aims
This course aims to:
■ construct a research project on an appropriate topic, which is clear and realistic in scope, and seeks to make a distinct contribution both to student's own learning and to debates within their chosen field
■ develop the student's independent research skills
■ produce an extended piece of work, in written and/or audio-visual form, with evidence of original research
■ develop the student's 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 deep knowledge and understanding of the chosen topic and a critical awareness of the relationship of their own research to other work in the field.
■ resent research information and argument in an appropriate and well-structured form, applying recognised academic forms to the presentation of bibliographic material, appendices and footnotes.