Research a Humanities or Social Sciences project of your choice in a structured and innovative way

Module details

  • Offered to Year 2 students
  • Mondays, 16.00-18.00
  • Planned delivery: On campus (South Kensington) & Independent Study
  • Two-term module, worth 5 ECTS
  • FHEQ Level 5
  • Available to eligible students as part of I-Explore
  • Extra Credit, or Degree Credit where your department allows

Got any questions?

Contact the field leader:
Dr Michael Weatherburn
0207 594 8747

Room S305, Sherfield Level 3
Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication

Degree credit module options by departmentHow to enrol

The Humanities Project is intended for those students who have a particular interest associated with one of the areas covered by the Humanities and Social Sciences modules.

The module consists of research skills training and independent study, supervised by a nominated member of staff who will meet with you on a regular basis to discuss progress. Where students have research methods or topics in common, you might meet in small group tutorials.

The topic of the Humanities Project must be agreed with the supervisor and should be of sufficient scope and allow for appropriate depth of analysis for you to meet the learning objectives. Prospective candidates must supply a proposal that details the scope, the research questions and the timetable that sets clear goals for monitoring progress.

For creative subjects like music technology and creative writing, the essay may include an element of practice (e.g. a composition or a chapter) in which case there should be an adjustment in the word count expected for the analytical component of the module.

Please note that this is an FHEQ Level 5 module.

Restrictions on module selection: Please note that if you take this module in Year 2, you are not eligible to enrol on the Humanities Project (Years 3 & 4) (FHEQ Level 6) module during Years 3 or 4 of your degree.

Please note: The information on this module description is indicative. The module may undergo minor modifications before the start of the coming academic year.

Information blocks

Learning outcomes

By the end of this module, you will be better able to: 

  • Formulate a research proposal
  • Draw together ideas from relevant subjects by producing a literature review
  • Organise a research plan for discussion with supervisor
  • Integrate concepts using self-directed primary and secondary research
  • Complete a writing plan for agreement with supervisor
  • Apply key concepts, research, and feedback to write an analytical humanities project
Indicative core content
  • Topics are to be negotiated with individual supervisors and receive the approval of the head of field. Content must be related to an established area of study within a relevant Horizons field.‌

Example projects: 

  • Carbon pricing policy
  • Metascience
  • Philosophy of artificial intelligence
  • Artistic interventions in the 1980s HIV epidemic
  • Tudor land economy 
  • Soviet computer systems
  • Hannah Arendt
  • Medical humanities and visual culture
  • Fantasy, programming and engineering in creative writing
  • Dark fiction and gender
  • Philosophical approaches to sense perception 
  • Music composition pieces
  • Computer programming and storytelling
  • The role of the public in democracy
  • Fiction as a means to tell the stories of STEMM women
  • Political mobilisation in the Arab Spring
Learning and teaching approach
This project is an independent piece of work which begins with relevant training and becomes increasing formulated and led by yourself.
 
Term 1
You will be given clear written and tutorial guidance in term 1 on topics such as introduction to research skills, ethics, literature review, timeline formulation, essay writing and results presentation. When possible these sessions will be delivered in a seminar format with other Humanities Project students.
 
Term 2
In term 2, you will embark on individual research, structured around individual tutorials and feedback. You can expect up to 2.5 hours contact time with your supervisor, which includes meetings and studying a draft of your work.
Assessment

You have a choice of final project assessment:

  • Coursework: Essay (2,500-3,000 words) (100%)

OR

  • Coursework: Creative work submission (variable length depending on media) (65%)
  • Coursework: Essay (up to 1,500 words) (35%)

The latter is generally more suitable for subjects with a creative component such as art or music.

Key information
  • Requirements: You are expected to attend all classes and undertake approximately 85 hours of independent study in total during the module. Independent study includes reading and preparation for classes, researching and writing coursework assignments and preparing for other assessments.
  • This module is designed as an undergraduate Level 5 module. For an explanation of levels, view the Imperial Horizons Level Descriptors page.‌
Frequently Asked Questions

Is this level or module right for me?  
The Humanities Project is offered as either an FHEQ Level 5 module to Year 2 students for 5 ECTS, or as an FHEQ Level 6 module to Year 3 & 4 students for 5 ECTS.  

Do I need prior experience? 
The Humanities Project is intended for those students who have a particular interest associated with one of the areas covered by the Humanities and Social Sciences modules but does not require specific prior experience. Humanities Project students are required to attend skills and research classes in the Autumn term.  

Do I need approval on my project before I am enrolled on the module? 
The Humanities Project does not require approval before enrolment, but during the module your project must be agreed with your supervisor. 

What if I have more than one project idea? 
We’re very keen on exploring ideas with you, though the chances are you will have one project idea which you’d like to prioritise over others. You will need to stay motivated for one academic year. You are welcome to submit several project ideas through the linked form, though please list them in order of priority. Please submit all ideas on one form per student.  

How do I know my project is realistic? 
We have limited budget for these projects, so if your project idea involves travel, equipment, or hiring personnel, we may not be able to support it. Similarly, some past proposals would have required substantially more student work than a 5 ECTS credit module requires. Please try to ensure that your project can be completed within 125 hours of study.  

Do I have to submit an essay? 
No, you chose to submit either:  
Option 1: Essay (3,000-4,000 words) (100%) 
Option 2: Creative submission (65%) and a critical reflection essay (2,000 words ) (35%). 

"Provided useful examples and sources for us to use as part of this research project. Gave us the opportunity to hear from other people and get feedback. Worked progressively on advancing topics. Provided useful examples and sources for us to use ... feedback to allow us to improve our topics and advance them. Allowed us to hear from each other and openly discuss our ideas."
"Everything was good: interactive, very informative and engaging."