Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:
Demonstrate the ability to identity essential questions/issues/ problems in terms of academic sources.
Demonstrate the ability to recognise and evaluate assumptions, alternative points of view, related theories and principles.
Demonstrate the ability to develop informed conclusions/solutions and to articulate the implications and consequences that emerge from these.
Demonstrate an ability to evaluate primary and secondary sources.
Demonstrate the ability to communicate any or all parts of the above process in written form.

Content:

This unit focuses on the construction and evaluation of argument, the use of counter-claim and reasoning and the evaluation of use of evidence.
The unit will familiarise students with the basics of evaluation and equip them with the skills to build sound argument and to explore the manipulation of argument.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The unit will be taught in a series of interactive workshops, providing a highly supportive environment through which students will develop their academic study skills.

Formative assessments and feedback will be provided to students during workshop sessions throughout the unit on the basis of home/classroom tasks (individual and group). Formative assessments will help students to prepare for summative assessment at the end of the unit.

Workshops
Hours: 48
Intended Group size: 30

Guided independent study
Hours: 36

Further details relating to assessment
Students will conduct a literature review linked to work in the Planning and Writing a Research Proposal unit and in relation to the subject area of choice. The literature review will be supported by the unit leader and the subject specialist.