Independent Research Project in Theatre and Performance

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 6
• Convenor: Dr Molly Flynn
• Assessment: Pathway 1: a 1000-word annotated bibliography/research proposal (10%), 10-minute individual performance project presentation (30%) and coursework of 5000 words (60%). Pathway 2: a 1000-word annotated bibliography/research proposal (10%) and 8000-word research essay (90%)

This module is undertaken in the final year. It might be understood as the culmination of your work at Birkbeck, as it offers you the opportunity to work, semi-autonomously, with the skills and knowledge that you have acquired here. There are two pathways:

Pathway 1

You apply your research and conceptual insight to the development of an individual performance project. Projects may include:

• a set of designs for a chosen dramatic text
• a 10-minute solo performance piece
• a 10-minute facilitation of a workshop
• an installation, or
• another form of project to be negotiated with the module convenor.

You will also produce written documentation on your process and a research essay on the topic of your performance.

Pathway 2

You draw on your practice to develop a dissertation, but you do not present a performance project. You will develop your skills of:

• analysis
• structuring an argument
• engaging with a range of research materials
• planning a project
• making a cogent and critical argument in writing.

You should expect to spend a minimum of 50 hours working on this project across the course of the year. You might like to chart your progress by keeping a logbook of hours worked, books consulted, major breakthroughs and problems.

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• identify appropriate topics for a piece of sustained research
• define a research question
• conduct an effective research process
• write a dissertation-length project investigating the research question.