Introduction

This unit aims to introduce students to the process of scientific research. They should understand that literary and cultural studies are scientific disciplines, and, as such, they need a methodology to carry out any research in the field. A general introduction will be given to the students covering the following:

1. 1. The process of scientific research in the fields of literature and culture. Scientific terms and concepts.
   2. Types of research.
   3. Introduction to the use of methodological tools: choosing a subject and a methodological approach.
   4. Bibliographical sources: Selecting secondary sources. Search in library catalogues. Electronic resources. Discriminating quality on web pages. Data bases. Electronic journals. Style format: MLA, Chicago and APA.

Introduction

This unit is designed to familiarise the students with applying the main theoretical perspectives that are currently used in literary and cultural criticism. After having taken the required course “The Literary Text: Methods of Analysis and their Praxis” in the first semester, the students will be familiar with the main contemporary theories in the field of literature and culture in English (gender studies, poststructuralism, postcolonialism). Thus, this unit is designed to help them understand how to use this knowledge and apply it in the following processes:

· Selection  and  use  of  a  theoretical  framework  that  backs  up  the  hypothesis  and  the development of the argument.

• Textual analysis and interpretation.
• Critical reading of the literary discourse.

Specific Learning Outcomes

After completing the study of this unit the student will be able to:

• Be able to analyze a literary or cultural text from different critical perspectives
• Select the theoretical framework that is adequate to back up the argument.
• Use the methodology that is more appropriate for the analysis

Contextualization

This second unit will reinforce the contents of the course “The Literary Text: Methods of Analysis and Their Praxis.” Since this is mostly a practical course, it will teach the students how to work with the tools they already have learned and apply them to specific cases.

Introduction

This third unit is meant to acquaint students with practical tools related to the actual design of the research work: from the beginning, with the hypothesis, the choice of a methodological framework, the structure of the work, and its formal aspects (language). At the end of the unit the students will be asked to write an abstract of a longer research paper.

Specific Learning Outcomes

After completing the study of this unit the students will be able to:

1. 1. Define a research hypothesis, develop an idea, set the research objectives, be familiar with the state of research in the field, choose a methodological framework, and decide upon the appropriateness of the study.
   2. Learn the structure of the research work (introduction, main body of work, development of the idea and conclusion).
   3. Use correct academic language.
   4. Write an abstract and selection of keywords.

Contextualization

This unit is essential for the students. After learning what is expected from them in a research work (unit 1) and the different methodological perspectives (unit 2), this unit will put emphasis on the actual design of the research work.

Introduction

There are different types of research works. This unit will teach the students the characteristics of the most important ones, and the differences among them, being these the following ones:

1. 1. Master Thesis.
   2. Writing a paper for a conference, symposium, seminar, etc…
   3. The PhD dissertation.
   4. Academic dissemination of knowledge (outputs): publishing your research. Preparing an article for an academic journal, a monographic volume, an edition, etc…

The students will learn the differences between these formats and how to adapt the resources, methodology and discourse to the format.

Specific Learning Outcomes

After completing the study of this unit the student will be able to:

1. 1. Familiar with the different types of research works.
   2. Ready to commit themselves to the research of Literature and Culture in English with more confidence, knowing the main tools and requirements for the type of study they undertake.
   3. Prepared to use correct academic language.
   4. Familiar with the most popular formatting and citing styles in academia.

Contextualization

As the conclusion of the course, this unit is designed to have students ready to do research on their own. After learning what a research work in literary and cultural criticism is (unit 1), the different theoretical methodologies (unit 2) and formal aspects of the research work (unit 3), the students will get to know how to proceed when faced with the task of writing a Master’s thesis, a paper, a PhD Dissertation, an article….. Also, this unit is especially designed to prepare students for the Master’s thesis they have to present for the completion of the Master’s program.