Module: Cultural Project: Research in Literary & Cultural Studies (French German or Spanish)

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Cultural Project: Research in Literary & Cultural Studies (French German or Spanish)
Module Code	CUS1024 (ITS: LC321)
Faculty	SALIS	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module leads to the production of a final year extended essay where students apply their learning in the areas of literary and cultural studies in years one and two to a research question. The focus will lie on either French-, German- or Spanish-speaking literatures and cultures. The final year extended essay is evidence of a student's ability to engage with and analyse a range of literary and cultural products in various media (including, but not restricted to, literary and non-literary texts, film, and visual art), as well as to conduct and present individual research.

Learning Outcomes

1. LO1 Be able to critically evaluate the relevant literature for their extended essay.
2. LO2 Demonstrate an understanding of the theories, concepts and methods pertaining to the fields of literary and cultural studies in French, German or Spanish.
3. LO3 Evaluate, discern, and prioritise issues in research on cultural, social, and literary studies.
4. LO4 Be able to reflect on the research process.
5. LO5 Analyse a pre-agreed body of primary sources or aspect of a cultural area in the context of the language studied.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	8	Attendance of workshop-type sessions on how to conduct research for extended essays; active participation.
Independent Study	117	Preparation of research in stages to reach critical waypoints; refinement of drafts through reflection. Finding and consulting relevant secondary literature, analysis of primary texts, writing of dissertation.
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20635	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Olga Springer	Module Teacher	Alicia Castillo Villanueva

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Extended Essay / Dissertation	Extended essay (4000 words)	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Content and Learning Activities
● Preparing the context (engaging with secondary literature and relevant literary/cultural theories) ● Analysing and interpreting literary and cultural textual and non-textual primary sources ● Creating draft chapters (writing and reviewing draft chapters) ● Extended essay (finalising the document to create an extended essay in an appropriate format) ● Reflection (reflection on subjectivity and the research process)

Resources
Bell, J, & Waters, S, 2014, Doing Your Research Project : A Guide For First-Time Researchers, McGraw-Hill Education: Milton Keynes. Fabb, N, & Durant, A (eds) 1993, How to Write Essays, Dissertations and Theses in Literary Studies, Longman. Gibaldi, J & Achtert, WS 2003, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th edition, MLA: New York. Nünning, V (ed) 2013, New Approaches to Narrative: Cognition – Culture – Narrative, Wissenschaftlicher Verlag Trier: Trier. Seidman, S, Fischer, N, & Meeks, C (eds) 2006, Handbook of the New Sexuality Studies, Taylor & Francis: London. Siegel, K 2006, Introduction to Modern Literary Theory, www.kristisiegel.com/theory.htm.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None