You will choose a topic you have not previously researched within one of several broad categories to be supervised by Drama and Theatre Arts staff: for example, nineteenth century theatre, opera or music theatre, or contemporary practice, or a 'text' (for example, an author, playwright, play or plays, performance, theatre or theatre company). The topic will then be refined through a process of discussion with other students in a series of tutor-led seminars and tutorials with a supervising member of staff, leading to the submission of a precisely defined topic.

The group-based section of the module will occupy the first part of the semester and culminate (after a period of reflection) in a short research proposal (or abstract) defining the objectives of your chosen topic. The remainder of the module will be taken up by your development of the project, supported by a series of regular consultations with the Project Supervisor. This will culminate in the presentation of a research article or project of approximately 4500-5000 words with full scholarly apparatus.

IT equipment (including word-processing software)
Library holdings (inter-library loans as appropriate)
Internet servers as appropriate to the topic
CD-ROMs as appropriate to the topic
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Staffordshire University, Studying Independently guide.
Watson, G. (1987) Writing a Thesis (Longman)
Sample journal articles (e.g. from Modern Drama, New Theatre Quarterly)