This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to

• examine, discuss and critically evaluate a range of narrative theories
• be trained in a range of narrative research methodologies
• gain experience in applying theoretical and methodological skills in narrative to concrete research issues
• develop competence in comparing and evaluating different approaches to narrative work
• acquire a high level of transferable research skills including theoretical and empirical review, comparison and criticism; the planning, implementation and analysis of research; and individual and team research working

Main topics of study

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

*In this programme, we will provide students with an overview of the range of narrative research methodologies. Beginning with an exploration of the meaning of narrative, we will then outline discourse analytic methods, Labovian methods, and the Biographical Interpretive Method. We will then consider, more substantially, three key areas of narrative research: oral, personal narratives; written narratives (including autobiographies and letters); and visual narratives.

Through a range of theoretical perspectives, we shall be attempting to address a number of questions; for instance

• how do people come to see themselves as distinct subjects about whom a story can be told?
• what role do memory, ideology, sense of audience, etc. play in people's accounts of their lives?
• how do class, ethnicity, gender and other social characteristics shape the stories people tell?
• what do we look for when we analyze accounts of other people's lives?

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 narratively-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.

No distance learning programme exists in the UK covering the area proposed. Internationally, while there are individual courses which cover some of the same ground as some in the proposed programme, in particular in the US, Australia and Scandinavia, distance programmes in the area do not exist. This programme would thus offer a unique student opportunity, both nationally and internationally.

Applicants should normally hold a first class or second class honours degree. This degree should be in a relevant field of study. Applicants holding an honours degree in a field of study which is not of obvious relevance may also be considered. Applicants who are not graduates but who have relevant research or professional experience may also be considered. All applicants with appropriate qualifications will be invited for an interview. In lieu of the interview overseas students may be asked to supply detailed written evidence of their interest in Narrative Research, together with evidence of research or writing or other work of a standard sufficient for successful postgraduate study.

Technical requirements

It is essential for this programme that you have access to suitable computing equipment. You must have reliable internet access. You will need at least a 56K modem connection but a broadband connection is strongly recommended - so that you can effectively utilise online resources including e-mail, the World Wide Web, UEL Direct and our online student community.

Your computer should also have Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel and Access), or equivalent. You may be required to submit work to our university via UELPlus (see below). We use Microsoft Office and you must submit work in a compatible format. We will not take responsibility for marking any work that is not submitted in the correct format.

We use UELPlus (Campus edition 4.0) for this programme. To participate, you will need a supported Internet browser (see UELPlus's tune-up page at http://www.webct.com/tuneup/viewpage?name=tuneup_browser_tuneup_information). You will also need reliable email and access to a printer. You will be expected to spend approximately 2 - 4 hours online per week. The learning materials contain activities that will require you to go online to participate in discussions with your fellow students and with your module tutors. (You may find it beneficial to spend more time online to investigate more fully any areas that are of particular interest to you.)

UELPlus Campus edition 4.0 /UEL Plus (UELPlus Vista edition 4) is the platform used by UEL in delivering this programme.

Module – Narrative Research by Distance Learning

The course uses a combination of readings, self-directed exercises, including practical exercises, ongoing formative e-tutorial exchanges with tutors, ‘seminar’ type e-exchanges with other students, an assignment based on a single paper, and a comparative assignment.

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 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 UELPlus.

Assessment is by coursework totalling 6000 words approximately.

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Using and applying narratives is a growing career field including amongst others: academic social science and cultural studies, applied social policy areas, health services, computer career pathways (particularly in the development and theorization of narratively-based games) and biographically-based art work.

The module guide sets out a programme of activities for each weekly session, identifies key issues and debates and set out frameworks within which students may pursue specific topics.

Students also receive comprehensive print and cd readers and have access to all module materials via webct and can communicate both in this way and through an elist

Activities are organised around skills exercises and exchanges with tutors and other students, giving students an opportunity to think through specific research problems and to develop practical skills by means of hands-on experience. They are used to develop ideas encountered in students’ own reading and research. They encourage critical thinking and communicative abilities, and advance skills in collaborative working.

Student assignments are based upon developing ideas already emerging from considerations of module material. They encourage development of independent thinking, and may involve the development of cross-media skills,

Tutorials are conducted weekly online. They deal with specific issues including skills deficiencies identified by staff or by students

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 enabled 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 are posted on their programme webct page.

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

During your studies, you will be supported by 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.

Students will receive academic support from their individual module leader. The role of the module leader is to monitor the effectiveness of the student’s learning during the module for which they are responsible, providing feedback, encouragement and support, and any necessary remedial action.

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