116-200 Research Topics and Methods

37.5 points in French, Italian or Spanish

Enrolment in one elective in French, Italian or Spanish

The subject will be taught in modules, each the responsibility of a particular lecturer. The team will be drawn from across the Department of French, Italian and Spanish studies. Staff will give an introduction to their own current research projects, will explain to students how the topic is formulated, how it emerges from its field, its relation with previous research in the field, and the objectives of the research. The subject will thus give students an idea of the range of research undertaken in the department, and will give them preliminary training in the devising of an independent project.

• On completion of this subject students should: learn to analyse material for unsolved problems or for issues requiring investigation;

• learn how to question previously obtained results productively and what kinds of methods of investigation suit what kinds of problems.

Written work totalling 4000 words comprising five exercises of 800 words each 10% each (due throughout semester) and an annotated bibliography 50% (due at the end of semester).

One file of readings per module to be distributed in class.