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  2. Masters Thesis [MAP6200]

School: Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Masters Thesis

  • Unit Code

    MAP6200

  • Year

    2026

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    3

  • Credit Points

    0

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

  • Unit Coordinator

    A/Prof Jonathan W. MARSHALL

Description

Students will continue the research articulated in writing and their chosen mode/s of practice of the theories and concepts which underpin their investigation. In the process, each student will refine the methodological means, presentation format and pertinent documentation media in which to contextualise and demonstrate their research. The final thesis may be a performance/s, composition/s, a series of documented processes, a film or audio-visual installation complemented by exegetical elaboration. Documentation modes may include evidence of the processes involved: journals, designer's notebooks, video sequences, imaginative writings and so forth. The total package will constitute a multi-modal thesis. In consultation with supervisor/s and participation in research seminars and conferences, the student will gain skills in articulating ideas and concepts in the chosen modes of their investigation.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Systematically and independently plan and execute a sustained critical investigation and evaluation of a chosen research topic relevant to the performing arts.
  2. Present and justify a written independent research thesis in a way that communicates research concepts and contexts clearly and effectively and draws appropriate conclusions.
  3. Orally present and justify an independent research thesis.

Unit Content

  1. A demonstration of the present state of knowledge in the chosen field.
  2. A research design framework and method of reflective evaluation; The various aspects and components of the study will culminate in an integrated thesis, demonstrating the students thorough knowledge of the field and capacity to undertake independent and probing performing arts research.
  3. A statement of the problem/idea/s to be addressed.
  4. A working hypothesis or projected trajectory of investigation.
  5. The Masters thesis should be a significant work of quality at a post-graduate level of research in an arts-driven area of enquiry. The format of the written component will normally follow a traditional structure of thesis title, introduction, literature review, discussion and conclusion. Likewise, the practice component needs to reflect the quality and technical professionalism of the practice, whether focused on process or performance/film/multi-media presentation etc, subject to the availability of resources. Areas of study vary between students.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Independent study with supervision.

Assessment

GS3 GRADING SCHEMA 3 HDR Thesis Units

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescription
ThesisThesis

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

  • Plagiarism: Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).
  • Unauthorised collaboration (collusion): Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).
  • Contract cheating: Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.
  • Cheating in an exam: Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment Procedure - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment Procedure - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

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