Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012

MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE

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MODULE DETAILS

Module title Study Skills

Module code HC401

Credit value 20 Credits

Level Mark the box to the right of the

appropriate level with an ‘X’

Level 4 x Level 5 Level 6 Level 7 Level 8

Level 0 (for modules at foundation level)

Entry criteria for registration on this module

Pre-requisites Specify in terms of module codes or

equivalent

Not Applicable

Co-requisite modules Specify in terms of module codes or

equivalent

IW500 (British Culture and Experience)

Module delivery

Mode of delivery Taught X Distance Placement Online

Other

Pattern of delivery Weekly X Block Other

When module is delivered Semester 1 Semester 2 Throughout year X

Other

Brief description of module

content and/ or aims Overview (max 80 words)

In this module you will have the opportunity to become familiar with

approaches to studying and researching, covering:

1. Key study skills: time and task management, note-taking, listening,

summarising, critiquing, reading skills, critical writing for essays,

oral/written presentation skills, exam preparation.

2. Team work and communication skills: problem solving, decision-

making, working with others, giving and receiving feedback.

3. Research skills: quantitative and qualitative data analysis in the context

of a group project.

Module team/ author/

coordinator(s)

Professor Alan Tomlinson & Dr Jon Watson

School School of Humanities

Site/ campus where

delivered

Grand Parade or Moulsecoomb

Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course

Course/PROGRAMME Status (mandatory/ compulsory/

optional)

Individualized Studies Abroad (ISA) Waseda University

students (Tokyo, Japan) cohorts

Compulsory

Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012

MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT

Aims 1. To develop key transferable / graduate skills 2. To cultivate students’ capacity for critical thinking and writing 3. To provide an introduction to research methods in the Humanities

and Social Sciences

Learning outcomes 1. Study effectively as self-directed learners 2. Outline academic goals and evaluate their progress towards these

achievements 3. Cultivate reflective skills in self-monitoring of individual

development 4. Identify different research methods, and demonstrate the ability to

generate and interpret appropriate data using simple research techniques

Content In this module you will have the opportunity to become familiar with

approaches to studying and researching, covering:

1. Key study skills: time and task management, note-taking, listening,

summarising, critiquing, reading skills, critical writing for

essays, oral/written presentation skills, exam preparation.

2. Team work and communication skills: problem solving, decision-

making, working with others, giving and receiving feedback.

3. Research skills: quantitative and qualitative data analysis in the

context of a group project.

The module comprises exercises from the core text, Sheila Cottrell’s

The Study Skills Handbook, in a programme of group tutorials

throughout Semester 1 covering the core content as listed

above. It also draws upon University materials on academic

principles, particularly the plagiarism pack, and familiarises

the international students with the resources available via

Student Central, and the use of work-checking facilities such

as TurnitIn. You will write, reflect and feed back throughout

the semester, in a cycle of personal development documented

in a learning log, an essay, and the generation of an

annotated bibliography, integrated into an integrated portfolio.

Dialogue with your tutor will be sustained throughout the

module, as s/he reads the developing elements that will

comprise the portfolio.

In Semester 2 students will work in small groups developing a

collaborative, collectively produced research project.

This will be supported by core workshops on key

research frameworks and methods, and the group will

make a presentation and produce a group report on the

project.

Learning support Books:

Barnes, R. (2005) Successful Study for Degrees (3rd

edition), London:

Routledge.

Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012

Bryman, A. (2012) Social Research Methods (4th edition), Oxford:

OUP.

Cottrell, S. (2003) Skills for Success: The Personal Development

Planning Handbook, Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Cottrell, S. (2005) Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective

Analysis and Argument, Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Cottrell, S. (2008) The Study Skills Handbook (3rd

edition)

Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Race, R. (2007) How to Get a Good Degree: Making the Most of Your

Time at University (Updated Edition) Maidenhead: Open

University Press.

Bedford/St Martins (2014) Research and Documentation Online (5th

edition), hackerhandbooks.com

[http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/RES5e_ch04_o.ht

ml].

Turner, (2002) How to Study: a Short Introduction, London: Sage.

Electronic Sources:

Skills4study: http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/index.asp

(accessed 24th October, 2008)

Student Central

Teaching and learning activities

Details of teaching and

learning activities

Teaching and learning is anchored in the small-group seminar and the tutorial.

Feedback is ensured by the close contact of the tutors with the students, and the regular written feedback that is provided for the elements of the portfolio in Semester 1, and the research plans, design and presentation in Semester 2.

Allocation of study hours (indicative) Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours

Study hours

SCHEDULED

This is an indication of the number of hours students can expect to

spend in scheduled teaching activities including lectures, seminars,

tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, practical classes and

workshops, supervised time in workshops/ studios, fieldwork,

external visits, and work-based learning.

52 hours

across two

semesters

GUIDED INDEPENDENT

STUDY

All students are expected to undertake guided independent study

which includes wider reading/ practice, follow-up work, the

completion of assessment tasks, and revisions.

Set reading and associated further and deeper

reading, for individual essay topics and the group

project. Research planning and fieldwork.

148 hours

across two

semesters

PLACEMENT

The placement is a specific type of learning away from the

University that is not work-based learning or a year abroad.

Not

Applicable

TOTAL STUDY HOURS 200 hours

Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012

Assessment tasks

Details of assessment for

this module

Semester 1: Portfolio comprising learning log (1,000 words), personal essay (1,500 words), and annotated bibliography (500 words). The learning log will demonstrate evidence of both your ability to study effectively as a self-directed learner (Learning Outcome 1), and your development and cultivation of reflective skills (Learning Outcome 3). The essay and the annotated bibliography will illustrate your capacity to identify academic goals and demonstrate progress towards achieving these goals (Learning Outcome 2). Semester 2: The Research Project (20 minute group presentation, and collectively written group report) will demonstrate your ability to generate and interpret data and findings in the context of a clearly defined research project (Learning Outcome 4).

Types of assessment task1 Indicative list of summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of credit or which are required for

progression.

% weighting (or indicate if

component is

pass/fail)

WRITTEN

Written exam Not

Applicable

COURSEWORK

Written assignment/ essay, report, dissertation, portfolio, project

output, set exercise

Portfolio: 50% (10 credits)

Group Presentation and Report: 50% (10 credits)

50% each

semester

PRACTICAL

Oral assessment and presentation, practical skills assessment, set

exercise Not

Applicable

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

Area examination board School of Humanities

Refer to Faculty Office for guidance in completing the following sections

External examiners

Name Position and institution Date appointed Date tenure

ends

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Date of first approval

Date of last revision

Date of approval for this September 2014

1 Set exercises, which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included

under the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task.

Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012

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