Module details for Honours Project Proposal and Development

Description

This module will allow students to formulate a contextual, theoretical, and practical foundation in a self-selected area of professional practice and research. Students will evaluate existing research, texts, and projects with a view to developing a project proposal, and will develop a portfolio of practical work pertinent to their own professional practice and the selected Honours Project topic.

Aims

The aim of this module is to provide the student with the ability to select and develop a research topic of personal interest, to identify and analyse the contextual and critical background of the selected topic, and to produce written and practical materials that demonstrate project planning and professional competence.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to:

1.  Undertake critical and effective information retrieval, analysis, and organisation.

2.  Review, discuss, and apply key theories and existing literature from appropriate sources to the domain of practice.

3.  Demonstrate critical self-awareness, reflective practice, and an inquiring, creative, and analytical approach to the development of an appropriate portfolio of work.

4.  Identify creative, technical, and professional skills to tackle an identified creative project, and demonstrate the ability to carry out autonomous skills development and evaluation.

5.  Demonstrate the ability to develop pre-production, planning, and proposal materials for a creative project and dissertation.

Indicative Content

1 Research Design for Games and Arts

Students will learn how research is designed, including: development of appropriate research questions / aims and objectives, the importance of analysing existing literature and knowledge, and understanding how research methods lead to new knowledge that is of value to your discipline, field, and other beneficiaries.

2 Project Definition, Scoping and Pitching

Students will be shown examples of research in art, design, and media, and encouraged to consider research that they can carry out in their own self-defined area of practice (e.g. 3D Design, Animation, Game Design, Game Production, Illustration etc.) With tutor support, students will shape, scope, and plan a major Games & Arts Honours project based on their own interests, curiosity, and aspirations.

3 Literature Review

Students will learn how to approach a systematic review of literature and other authoritative sources relevant to their research questions and project topic. Through analysis of the wider context of the proposed project, students will consider the state of the art in their field, and aim to situate their practice

4 Practice Based Research

Students will begin by focusing on practice-based research and understanding how to plan for and structure practice that will allow them to explore and address identified research questions. Students will be encouraged.

5 Critical Theory

Students will engage with critical theory and consider how ideas and concepts drawn from their reading can inform their own approach to artistic, design, or production practice. Students will consider how theory can be extended to frame analysis and interpretation of existing games, art, and media, for instance through close readings, comparative analysis, and case studies.

6 Qualitative Research Methods for Games and Arts

Students will learn about qualitative research methods and consider the value methods such as interviews and focus groups can have within the context of Games & Arts practice.

7 Quantitative Research Methods for Games and Arts

Students will learn about quantitative research methods and discuss how scientific methods such as surveys and experiments can be utilised in the context of Games & Arts practice. This can include for instance, playtesting, audience studies, and market analysis.

8 Ethics and Data Management

Students will discuss the role of ethics in art and design practice, learn how to assess and manage risks, and develop skills in data collection and management in line with legal responsibilities.

9 Independant Study and Portfolio Devlopment

Students will engage with self-directed independent study, carrying out an extensive body of work over the course of the semester in support of their Honours Project topic. This work could involve concept development, skills development, and pre-production in line with the expectations of the student’s discipline and domain of practice.

10 Critical and Reflective Practice

Students will critique and reflect on their practice, drawing out strengths and weaknesses, identifying and developing research questions driven by practice, and evaluating skill gaps to be addressed.

Teaching and Learning Work Loads