Through a range of theoretical and methodological perspectives, the programme will address a number of questions including:

• How do we decide on a research question in narrative analysis?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of different modes of narrative inquiry?
• What are the benefits and difficulties of  a range of methods of narrative analysis?
• What are the possibilities and limitations of narrative research for drawing conclusions of theoretical and practical significance?
• How do people come to see themselves as distinct subjects about whom a story can be told?
• What role do memory and ideology play in people's accounts of their lives?
• How do class, ethnicity, gender and other social characteristics shape the stories people tell?
• What is the relationship between the stories people tell about their lives, and the political framework which forms the context for those stories?
• How does culture intervene in the way narratives are produced?

Narrative research is growing in popularity within academic social science and applied social policy areas. Within cultural studies, too, there are increasing numbers of researchers and students who use narrative analysis. Other fields where this work is becoming more significant include health studies, computer studies (particularly in the development and theorization of narrative-based games), and biographically-based art work.

Within established social science research MAs, students rarely receive enough specific training to adopt a narrative methodological approach. This absence is even more pronounced within MAs in other areas. Narrative studies are however methodologically and theoretically very diverse, and students require academic experience in the area in order to be able to use them effectively.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Narrative Research is the only distance learning programme in the UK covering this area. Individual courses, covering some of the same ground are available internationally – principally in the US, Australia and Scandinavia – however, there are no distance learning programmes. This programme therefore offers a unique student opportunity, both nationally and internationally.

• Topics covered and materials delivered reflect the real needs of narrative researchers
• Academic support is provided by internationally recognised experts in the field
• The freedom to continue working while pursuing your studies.
• Help and guidance from our Distance Learning Advice Team
• An opportunity for students from a wide range of countries and varied educational contexts to interact and exchange ideas.
• The flexibility to pay for modules on an individual basis

The Postgraduate Certificate in Narrative Research by distance learning shares a core module with the on campus MA in Narrative Research. Students may therefore transfer to the on campus programme following the successful completion of the Narrative Research module by distance learning. The transfer is done using the Accredited Certificated Learning process. Likewise, students can transfer from the on campus programme to the distance learning programme to undertake the Narrative Force module and complete the Postgraduate Certificate.

Applicants should normally hold a first class or second class honours degree in a relevant field of study such as the humanities or social sciences, however applicants holding an honours degree in a field of study which is not immediately relevant, or who have relevant research or professional experience will be considered.

All applicants with appropriate qualifications will be invited for interview. The interview can take place face to face, via telephone or video conference. Where this is not possible, applicants will be asked to provide detailed written evidence of their interest in Narrative Research and evidence of research, writing or other work of a standard sufficient for successful postgraduate study.

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 7 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes. In the case of applicants whose first language is English, GCSE English or equivalent is required.

Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.

Applicants should have basic IT skills and should also be able fulfil the technical requirements of the programme:

Technical requirements

To participate in the programme you need at least:

• Access to a PC or Mac with CD drive.
• 56K modem with Internet access. (A broadband connection is strongly recommended.)
• A supported Internet browser - see UEL Plus’ tune-up page at http://www.webct.com/tuneup/viewpage?name=tuneup_browser_tuneup_information
• Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or equivalent, and graphics software capable of viewing j-peg files.

The PC should be capable of running the standard MS Office suite (or equivalent) for producing word-processed documents, spreadsheets and presentations. You will be expected to spend approximately 5 hours online per week, participating in discussions and accessing additional resources. (You may find it beneficial to spend more time online to investigate more fully any areas that are of particular interest to you.)

The Postgraduate certificate in Narrative Research is comprised of two modules, each of which will take 12-13 weeks to complete,

• Narrative Research (Semester A)
• Narrative Force (Semester B)

Both Narrative Research and Narrative Force are available as stand alone modules, which lead to the award of a Postgraduate Associate Certificate. Despite this, we would strongly encourage you to complete Narrative Research before enrolling on Narrative Force, unless you have significant experience of narrative research. Admission directly to Narrative Force is therefore subject to an academic decision regarding suitability and extent of experience.

The programme is delivered exclusively by distance learning, so it is essential that students have easy and regular access to the Internet and reliable email. Each module consists of a study guide, reading material and a series of self-check and interactive tasks in which students discuss the issues raised in each module in the light of their own teaching context and educational background. In addition to online discussions, which involve the module tutor on a weekly basis, students also have access to the module tutor directly via UEL Plus.

The main purpose of the study guide is to help learners to make the most effective use of the reading pack and other resources. It provides clear structuring and signposting to establish a context for learning. It highlights key concepts, models and frameworks and it clearly indicates the chapters or articles from the reading pack which students must study. In some areas, the study guide adds extra content, or integrates additional resources (such as journal articles), which are included in the reading pack.

The study guide encourages deep learning through the use of activities, e-tutorials, e-seminars, review questions and other formative assessments. The activities help learners understand or master a new topic or skill. They generally require students to engage with the topic in some way. Feedback will be provided for all activities.

Students will be expected to participate in discussion forums within UEL Plus. The tutor will monitor the discussion topics, and students will be expected to respond to the tutor, and to each other’s responses. Students will also be able to initiate their own discussion threads.

The student will also be expected to do additional reading and research appropriate for their assignments.

Assessment is by coursework:

Both ISM 301: Narrative Research and ISM 307: Narrative Force are assessed via 2 assignments. Whilst the focus of the assignments will depend on the module, the assignments are:

• A 1500 word critical assessment of a paper (20% of grade)
• A 3500 word comparative essay (80% of grade)

You will have the opportunity to develop your own ideas through project work and pursue an area of personal and professional interest in your assignments. This will be supported through the weekly e-tutorials and e-seminars.

Using and applying narratives is growing in popularity, particularly, but not exclusively, in: academic social science and cultural studies, applied social policy areas, health services, computer career pathways (particularly in the development and theorization of narrative-based games) and biographically-based art work. This represents a new potential career path.

Given that the programme is delivered by distance mode, the learning material for each module is detailed and activity-based to encourage learners to engage with concepts and techniques. Additionally, the learning material provides links to electronic journals and websites where appropriate. UEL Plus, the platform used for the delivery of the programmes, enables online discussions between learners and UEL staff, and also facilitates the downloading of programme material.

On enrolment, you will be provided with introductory materials on the use of UEL Plus (UELPlus) and UEL Direct.

During your studies, you will be supported by specialist academic tutors from the School of Social Sciences, Media and Cultural Studies (Sociology and Innovation Studies) and our team of Distance Learning Student Advisors in the School of Distance and E-Learning. These advisors act as a first point of contact for you, addressing the majority of student queries and referring only those that relate to academic matters to the module tutor. The Student Advisors will also contact students who seem to be falling behind and will offer advice and encouragement to them.

Those who are in a position to visit the campus have full access to all books, journals, CD-ROMs, video tapes, etc. held in the Learning Resource Centre. Also, UK-based students may access other university libraries under the UK Libraries Plus scheme.

In addition, students are invited to public seminars and research workshops organised by the Centre for Narrative Research in the Social Sciences. These seminars are open to academics, students, professionals and practitioners in the narrative field. Here, students are able to place research techniques and findings in the context of the complex, and often competing, demands of the academic environment and statutory and voluntary bodies. For distance learning students who cannot attend, sound files will be posted on UEL Plus.

We also provide useful advice and information in our Student Handbook and online at http://www.uel.ac.uk/dl/index.htm

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