This module focuses on the development of skills specific to level 6 study in fields within the Social Sciences and Humanities. The aim is to develop and enhance students' confidence in their ability to conduct literature searches and analyse and evaluate sources specific to their discipline. Students work with journal articles and other appropriate sources on topics of particular relevance to their field. In this respect, the course is tailor-made according to each individual student’s needs. Participants on LA508 will benefit from the expertise of a tutor trained in the teaching of English for Specific Academic Purposes (ESAP). Carefully guided and facilitated by their tutor, students will develop their writing and oral skills appropriate to level 6. They will be introduced to and prepared for the academic culture pertaining to their discipline, including expectations concerning written conventions, problem solving, critical thinking, team-working and seminar participation.
Contact hours per week: 4 hours seminar/workshop sessions per week. 8.5 hours of self-study. The module will comprise a total of 150 hours.
100% coursework comprising:
Journal article evaluation (1000 words) (20%)
Presentation (10 minutes on an aspect related to the final report) (20%)
Peer Review (of colleague's assignment - 400 words) (10%)
Report (on a subject-specific topic) (2000 words) (50%)
Bates, C. and Matthewman, A. (2009) Studying Arts and Humanities. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Cottrell, S. (2013) The Study Skills Handbook (4th Edition). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Metcalfe, M. (2006) Reading Critically at University. London: SAGE.
Swales, J. & Feak, C. (2012). Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Skills and Tasks (3rd Edition). Ann Arbor: Michigan UP.
Van den Brink-Budgen, R. (2010) Critical Thinking for Students: Learn the Skills of Analysing, Evaluating and Producing Arguments (4th Edition). London: How To Books.
Wallace, M. and Wray, A. (2011) Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates. (2nd Edition).London: Sage Publications Ltd.
Wisker, G. (2007) The Postgraduate Research Handbook: Succeed with your MA, MPhil, EdD and PhD. (2nd Edition). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
On completion of the module, the student will be able to reason scientifically, understand the role of evidence and make critical judgments about arguments in Humanities and Social Sciences. They will be able to present and construct rational and reasoned theses and arguments to a range of audiences in both written and oral form; generate and explore hypotheses and research questions, and analyse, synthesise, evaluate and present data to a range of audiences in both written and oral form.
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