Compulsory research modules (all MRes Humanities)
HIS-40017 Research Skills in the Humanities (15 credits, Semester 1)
You will receive training in the practical and technical skills necessary for postgraduate research in the humanities, so you will be able to plan, then find and use the necessary resources for your research and writing. This includes: relevant University regulations; procedures for managing a research degree; the differences between popular press dissemination of research and academic forms; how to identify issues of research ethic affecting your work; and how to use real-world and digital archives and be creative in looking for primary research sources, such as film archives, digitised magazines and pamphlets, first editions of out of print literature. You will also develop essential personal and professional skills in time, stress and project management.
HIS-40016 Reflective Practice in the Humanities (15 credits, Semester 2)
Reflective practice describes a systematic approach to reflection that involves creating a habit, structure and routine around reflecting on our experiences and engaging in continuous learning. Whether you choose to learn from experience as an individual or with others, there are many benefits to be gained from sharing ideas, experiences and considering how you can change or improve your creative practice. Throughout this module, you will be asked to explore the intellectual connections between your research area and wider fields of study. We look at ‘big ideas’ relevant to contemporary society, such as the concept of ‘post truth’, ‘big data’ and the pulling down of statues, and we work to understand them from the perspective of our disciplines.
Compulsory pathway-specific modules (Music)
MUS-40001 Approaches to Music Research (30 Credits, Semester 1)
Providing you with advanced training in musicology, critical theory and analysis, this module introduces a range of musicological, technical and aesthetic issues central to current debates and practices within the discipline of music and music technology. For the assessment, you will submit a 4,000-5,000-word project devised in consultation with the module tutors, giving a short presentation at the end of the course. Previous Music pathway students have looked at composition, live electronic music, popular electronic music, film music, ethnomusicology and more.
MUS-40003 Individual Research Orientation (30 credits, Semester 2)
One of the major strengths of our MRes is the high degree of flexibility in tailoring your programme. Working closely with your dissertation supervisor(s), you will agree a personal development plan to equip you with the skills and knowledge to conduct and report on your in-depth research. While you may expect to be given directed reading in your chosen research field, you will also have considerable freedom when determining activities for your individual research preparation. You could choose to: complete detailed work focusing on the research context for your topic and test this out with a smaller-scale case study; write a piece of work on a particular aspect of your field that underpins or develops your understanding of some aspect of their dissertation project; receive training in a particular skill or methodology; complete a work placement; or study another Master’s-level module. Previous Music pathway students have done practice-lead research, such a portfolio of instrumental and/or electroacoustic compositions, music analysis, ethnography-based research, film music aesthetics, music for visual media, audiovisual works, collaborative projects involving performers and composers, etc.
MUS-40002 Dissertation – Music (90 Credits, studied throughout the course)
Guided by extensive one-to-one supervision from a world leading expert in your field, you will plan and conduct a substantial piece of independent research, however the type of dissertation depends very much on the area of research chosen. It may take the form of: a traditional dissertation of 20-25,000 words; a portfolio of compositions; or a music technology project, which may consist of purely technological development (e.g. software) or of a combination of technological development and compositions demonstrating the use of the latter. Compositions, recitals and projects are usually accompanied by a written commentary (typically 6,000 words) explaining the research problem, and how the outcomes address its questions and objectives; this provides evidence of an appropriate research context. Previous Music pathway students have researched topics such as a ‘Portfolio of Compositions’, ‘Chick Corea’s Legacy’ (analysis of the famous jazz pianist and composer’s music), ‘Music for Film’, ‘Jazz Guitar Music’, ‘Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring’ and others.
