AOA7001 Research Methodology in Literary Studies

Continuous Assessment details

1. Assignment 1: Conference Abstract: 10 %

Students are required to write an abstract for a conference paper, keeping to the
skills and strategies they have learnt in class. The abstract should be 250-300
words in length, and describe an article or paper students are going to write for an
academic conference. No late abstracts will be accepted.

2. Assignment 2: Book Review: 20%

Students are required to write a scholarly book review of a published monograph,

preferably published as recently as possible, on any aspect of English literary studies
from any period of literary history and employing any kind of literary theory, i.e.
literary criticism. The review, however, should not be of a work of fiction regardless of
genre, as the aim is to have students identify, understand and evaluate the
effectiveness of the book as a piece of literary criticism. Marks will be allocated
based on quality of argument (10%), presentation, structure and coherence of review
(5%), use of language and expression (5%). No late essays will be accepted.

3. Assignment 3: Critical Essay: 30%

Students are required to write a critical essay on any aspect of English literary
studies, with the aim of demonstrating their skills in literary criticism through the
capacity for critical thinking, literary analysis and problem solving, as well as a
general appreciation of the literary text/s discussed. Students should identify and
formulate their own paper topics, with some guidance from the instructor, if
necessary. The essay should be 8 -10 pages (ab. 2500 words) and reflect the
student’s competence in presenting a lucid and substantiated argument, applying
correctly and effectively the principles of literary criticism, as well as demonstrate
high proficiency in the language, as expected at the master’s level. Marks will be
allocated based on quality of argument (20%), presentation, structure and coherence
of essay (5%), use of language and expression (5%). No late essays will be
accepted.

4. Assignment 4: Research Proposal: 20%

Students are required to write a research proposal for an MA dissertation project,

with the aim of demonstrating their skills in proposing a coherent, well-defined thesis,
theoretical framework and argument through the capacity for critical thinking, literary
analysis and problem solving, as well as a general appreciation of the literary text/s
discussed. Students should identify and formulate their own proposal topics, with
some guidance from the instructor, if necessary. The proposal should be between 10
– 15 pages long (ab. 3,500 words), and demonstrate the same virtues as the
previous assignment given. Marks will be allocated based on quality of argument
(10%), presentation, structure and coherence of essay (5%), use of language and
expression (5%). No late essays will be accepted.
 5. In-class test/assignment: 10%

This is an hour-long test to be administered during one of your tutorials. It is

designed to assess your knowledge of relevant topics already covered in class.
.

6. Forum online assessment: 10%

Details of the assessment will be announced on Spectrum. Students are required to

submit their responses online.