Students
ENGX8091 – Special Study Unit 2: Research Thesis
2020 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Associate Professor Jane Messer
Contact via Email
Level 2, 25B Wally's Walk, Macquarie University
By appointment: email; phone; Zoom
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Permission by special approval and Admission to MCrWrit
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
ENGX8091
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit offers students the opportunity to develop advanced critical research and academic writing skills through the production of a critical research thesis of 20,000 words in length. The thesis will be a contribution to knowledge that presents new facts or demonstrates an independent critical ability to evaluate existing material in a new light. The research project question is initiated and devised by the student, in consultation with the unit convenor and/or an individual supervisor. Research will be conducted within the fields of literary analysis or creative writing theory, drawing upon related fields. The thesis may be interdisciplinary in its approach. There are no classes in this unit; students work independently, consulting with their supervisor/s at scheduled meetings. At the successful outcome of the unit, students will have produced a Masters-level thesis. Contact the Course Director for further information on how to apply for entry to this unit. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Produce a thesis that is the result of the student’s original research.
- ULO2: Devise a substantive research question relating to literature or creative writing.
- ULO3: Locate and appropriately document scholarly and other research relevant to the topic.
- ULO4: Appraise and evaluate the scholarly field and research cultures within which the research is situated.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Proposal and Plan | 5% | No | Sunday pm, Week 3 |
| Literature Review including annotated bibliography | 5% | No | Sunday pm, Week 5 |
| Critical Writing | 90% | No | Sunday pm, Week 12 |
Research Proposal and Plan
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Sunday pm, Week 3
Weighting: 5%
Research Proposal and Plan
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Produce a thesis that is the result of the student’s original research.
- Devise a substantive research question relating to literature or creative writing.
- Locate and appropriately document scholarly and other research relevant to the topic.
- Appraise and evaluate the scholarly field and research cultures within which the research is situated.
Literature Review including annotated bibliography
Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 22 hours
Due: Sunday pm, Week 5
Weighting: 5%
Literature Review including annotated bibliography
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Locate and appropriately document scholarly and other research relevant to the topic.
- Appraise and evaluate the scholarly field and research cultures within which the research is situated.
Critical Writing
Assessment Type 1: Thesis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 110 hours
Due: Sunday pm, Week 12
Weighting: 90%
Critical Writing
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Produce a thesis that is the result of the student’s original research.
- Devise a substantive research question relating to literature or creative writing.
- Locate and appropriately document scholarly and other research relevant to the topic.
- Appraise and evaluate the scholarly field and research cultures within which the research is situated.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
There are no classes for this unit. Students are expected to work independently, utilizing library resources including liaison research librarians, and where possible to engage with, or attend a range of Research Seminars offered by the Faculty of Arts. (For information about these, contact the Department of English Administrator, Frances Thompson, frances.thompson@mq.edu.au, or FoA administrator, Heather Sainsbury, heather.sainsbury@mq.edu.au)
The student works with their supervisor in the planning, development and revision of the 20,000 word research thesis. Arrangements are made between student and supervisor as to times of meeting and form of communication (face to face, email, phone, etc).
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.