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Research Now: The Business of Books - ENG00159I

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  • Department: English and Related Literature
  • Module co-ordinator: Information currently unavailable
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

Research Now gives you the chance to explore a cutting-edge specialist research area, while developing advanced skills for your own independent, extended research in the final stages of your degree.

In the first half, you will tackle your ‘deep dive’ research area of the Business of Books, which is designed and taught in collaboration with New Writing North, the region’s literary development agency, introducing essential concepts and practices in contemporary publishing. Discussions will be centred around a practical examination of a living and breathing industry: what it is, what it does, and where it is headed – with a particular emphasis on the geography of the industry, with the North’s growing role in relation to publishing’s historical roots in London. We will also look at new modes of digital storytelling and consider how ethical issues underscore the book business trade. At the core of the topic are questions about how the book business generates cultural and economic ‘value’. You’ll hear from a range of lecturers, while collaborating in team-based workshops, in order to develop a team research project and presentation on the topic’s material.

The second half focuses on skills to take your research further: formulating comprehensive research proposals and questions; developing a clear methodology or research practice; working interdisciplinarily, across languages, and periods; and improving ways of presenting research both orally and in writing. Each week will introduce a new tool for developing your research, and will contribute to a portfolio that will also look ahead to your final-year dissertation project.

As a whole, the module gives you the chance to develop key employability strengths, including teamwork, creative and critical thinking, and problem-solving, while also developing the skills needed to embark on a longer research project by putting together an individual dissertation proposal.

Note: the ‘deep dive’ research area you choose for this module does not have to correspond with the subject area of your final year dissertation — you have the freedom here to explore new, innovative terrain.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

  • This module aims to introduce students to cutting-edge research and innovative approaches to research design and presentation.

  • This module will encourage students to engage creatively with critical sources and texts, preparing students for the design of an extended dissertation project in the third year.

  • The module will develop essential research techniques together with oral, written and digital skills that can be applied to individual and collaborative research projects

Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, you should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an informed understanding of and engagement with the ‘deep dive’ research topic, the issues involved, and the critical debates surrounding the subject of The Business of Books.

  2. Demonstrate an informed understanding of and engagement with research strategy through the development of a focused piece of research.

  3. Examine essential research approaches and techniques and apply those techniques in the development of a research proposal portfolio.

  4. Develop and successfully manage a collaborative project relating to the Business of Books, which demonstrates a proficiency in oral, written, performance and/or digital skills as appropriate.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Portfolio : Research Proposal Portfolio		 N/A 50
Groupwork
Group work : Team presentation		 N/A 50

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
1,500-word Essay		 N/A 50
Essay/coursework
Research Proposal Portfolio		 N/A 50

Module feedback

  • You will receive feedback on all assessed work within the University deadline, and will often receive it more quickly. The purpose of feedback is to inform your future work; it is designed to help you to improve your work, and the Department also offers you help in learning from your feedback. If you do not understand your feedback or want to talk about your ideas further you can discuss it with your tutor or your supervisor, during their Open Office Hours
  • For more information about the feedback you will receive for your work, see the department's Guide to Assessment

Indicative reading

Refer to mini-syllabus for ‘deep dive’ research topics


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.