WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE ALREADY, AND WHAT YOU NEED TO START NOW

Some of you have been asking about deadlines past and present, so I've made a list of things you should already have completed and posted to your blog (tasks set by Andy before the Summer break), and also listed some initial deadlines you will need to meet this term. I can't stress too much how important it will be for you to keep up and meet deadlines for coursework this year - it is vital for your success - and so I will be monitoring your progress carefully!

THIS WORK SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED LAST TERM AND ALREADY BE ON YOUR BLOG (Andy's instructions were given to you in a handout - 'Preparatory Exercise'):

A 500 WORD RATIONALE FOR YOUR INVESTIGATION TO COVER THE FOLLOWING

• a first draft of your research topic title
• your focus film and suggestions for related films (2) - titles and how they might relate to your investigation
• evidence of primary research (blogged textual analysis on specific scenes from the focus film you hope to use - I suggest this should cover at least 3 key scenes, and be at least 1 screen's worth of bullet points for each key scene, focussing on elements related to your interest in this film)
• evidence of secondary research so far (at least 4 items, including books, periodical articles and websites), with precise information about the source and a brief few lines on each about how you think it will be useful to your investigation

IF YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED THIS WORK, YOU MUST COMPLETE THIS TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY BEFORE THE END OF THE FIRST WEEK OF TEACHING. Please find me BEFORE lessons begin if you have any issues with tackling this work.

IN ADDITION, ANY INCOMPLETE., MISSING OR INCORRECTLY FINISHED OR EXPORTED DOCUMENTARY FILMS WHICH WERE DUE AT THE END OF TERM WILL HAVE BEEN NOTED, AND WILL BE RECORDED ON ETRACKR. IF YOU THINK YOURS IS IN THIS CATEGORY, YOU MUST ALSO COMPLETE THIS WORK BEFORE THE END OF WEEK 1 (by Sept 9th) -WE WILL BE EVALUATING THESE IN LESSONS DURING WEEK 1.

UPCOMING DEADLINES:
We will be working towards the submission of your title and rationale to the moderator by the end of September. This is an exam board requirement, so it's essential that you know deadlines and meet them.

• small group presentation to peers of work in progress during week 2 of teaching (week commencing Sept 12th). This may also be filmed for evidence.
• continued work towards deadline for moderator submission by Sept 30th -

- at least 10 items in your catalogue (and at least 3 rejected items with explanations), to include Primary and Secondary materials
- full record of your research on the blog
- your more detailed rationale for your investigation (advice to follow on this).

Good luck! If you are worried about any of this, please do email me or come and see me in person to discuss it further.

WELCOME TO MY BLOG, AND TO A SUCCESSFUL NEW YEAR!

A VERY BIG WELCOME BACK TO YOU ALL!
As you know, I am taking over the supervision of the SSRP from Andy for this year.
This will be my supervision blog to support you, help to remind you or alert you to deadlines, and it will be the place that I post relevant links, materials and my thoughts regarding any of your projects.
I will expect you to follow this blog - so set that up NOW! (Ask me or someone else if you don't know how). I'll elect to follow your blog also, so you will need to add that gadget if you haven't already done so.

I am concerned to see that some people have not posted the 500 word rationale that Andy expected you to do before the Summer break. I need to advise you that unless these are posted to your blog by the end of our first week of teaching (Friday Sept 9th), I will need to raise a Cause for Concern notice on etrackr, because I will be concerned that you are not able to meet the significant challenge of independent study demanded by the SSRP.

Your first Autumn deadline will be VERY SOON, and this will involve you giving me and your peers an update on your progress over the Summer. More advice on this to come soon...
This will be a very busy year, so aim to 'hit the ground running' for maximum success!