British Media Studies Seminar

Graduation Thesis: Conceptual Overview

Don't worry if this looks really difficult to you!  Hopefully you will understand it when you graduate...

Graduation Thesis: Choosing a topic (2008 4th years)

Here is an example of how one 2008 4th-year student came to choose a topic.

Noriyuki

I think I'd like to write a graduation thesis based on the television series 'Ally Macbeal'.  I really like this series, and it hit me, when Kevin was talking about the graduation thesis, that this might be a good topic for me to focus on for my thesis.  I have all the DVD's for all 5 of the series that were produced.  One series is composed of about 25 episodes, each lasting about 45 minutes.

Much as I like the idea of this topic, the fact that it is an American rather than British program might be a drawback.  Another problem is that there is a lot of material, and I'm not sure how I would approach it in order to organize and develop a thesis.

There are a number of reasons why I like  Ally Macbeal.  I like the way that the program reflects modern American culture and social issues.  There is also quite a lot of focus on legal issues, which I find interesting.  Finally, I like the way it makes me think about happiness and the need to balance job and family.

Comment 

Ally Macbeal sounds like a great topic.  The fact that it is American isn't a problem, as far as I'm concerned.  You will probably need to focus on two or three episodes in particular, and make some comparison of them.  For example, if the three episodes are from different  series, the changes in Ally or the people around her might be part of what you discuss.  Or you might want to choose a single episode and go into it in a lot of depth, even reading about some of the legal issues raised.  There are many possibilities, so the first thing we will need to discuss is several different possibilities.  By discussing the pros and cons of these we will be able to narrow down the topic.  Once we have decided what episode(s) you will focus on then we will need a transcription in English and Japanese, for the language work part of your thesis. 

Unique Approach to the Graduation Thesis

In this seminar you must complete your graduation thesis in the third year.  This will allow you to concentrate on job-hunting in the 4th year, and to work on your English language skills when you are free to do so.

Here is a summary of the main features of this approach:

1. The thesis may be entirely in English, or in two versions: English and Japanese.
2. From 2009 all 3rd-year students (except for one) are writing a thesis to do with the same film.  Each students is focusing on a different aspect of the film Bridget Jones's Diary. In 2010 it is likely that we will also study a single film, but we will aim to get as much variety as possible in the range of theses.
3. The thesis will be completed in December of the third year, and presented at a December gasshuku attended by all 3rd- and 4th-year students.
4. In their 4th year students will concentrate on their English language skills.  They will study a revised native English version of their own (and each other's thesis).  These materials will be used with the language learning software LexiSuite.  
5. In the 4th year students may also complete a second graduation thesis if they wish to, but they must first complete all the 4th-year language work