Preparatory advice on the dissertation. The novel, art and artist. A short dissertation of around 12,000 words, on a subject of the student's choice is researched and written after courses have ended in June. The norm for each component course is a two-hour discussion seminar. These are held fortnightly over two terms, or weekly over one.
Methods are informal.
There are also opportunities for students to bring their own creative talents to bear on the course. They may, for instance, collaborate on the mounting of an exhibition, for which a catalogue is produced in the University's well-equipped Media Centre. Students have the use of the Department's Slide and Video collection for private study. University facilities for learning computer skills are excellent. Each option is examined by an assessed essay of approximately 5,000 words, or by project work.