SOC3113 - Academic Skills and Studying with confidence

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Use effective search techniques to find and use relevant, reliable information.
Cite and reference sources using APA referencing.
Demonstrate effective and task-appropriate academic communication skills.
Interpret and evaluate relevant information and ideas.
Negotiate and co-create an appropriate assessment.

Content:

This module aims to prepare students for academic study at level 4 by introducing key skills and developing confidence in their abilities as independent, reflective learners. Students will learn different ways of presenting academic information, as well as skills such as how to use library and online resources, planning, note-taking, evaluative skills and avoiding plagiarism. They will learn how to identify and evaluate sources of academic information and how to use these to support an argument.

The module will also help students develop organisational, time management and stress management skills to enable them to approach their level 4 studies with confidence. They will reflect on assessment feedback and their needs as students and identify relevant support services to help them in their academic career.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module will utilise student-centred learning to boost engagement and attendance. Lectures will consist of a taught element, introducing new academic skills, and a more productive element, in which students can practise these skills with feedback and assistance from their tutor. Group work and peer assessment will be encouraged, and online quizzes and resources will be drawn upon to support students’ learning. All learning will be supportive to foster increased self-confidence and reflection, while academic skills will be introduced and assessed through a range of subject-linked methods. Cross-curricular content will include suggestions and material from subject tutors. The goal will be to produce independent, confident learners with a sufficient grasp of relevant academic skills to enable them to flourish at L4.

Workshops/seminars
Hours: 60
Intended Group Size: 30

Guided independent study
Hours: 240

Further details relating to assessment
The negotiated assessment will introduce students to key academic skills such as research and referencing, as well as academic writing, structuring and presentation skills. Relevant topics will be chosen in conjunction with subject tutors and both topic and mode of delivery will be different from those used in the Project module to assist with the development of assessment literacy.

For component 2, essay titles will be based on the student’s subject area to increase the relevance of the assessment and the cross-curricular nature. Academic Skills tutors will work with subject tutors to compile a list of potential relevant questions. The essay (up to 1500 words) will be heavily scaffolded throughout semester 2 taught sessions and regular feedback on drafts will be provided within class time. This component aims to assess students’ knowledge and understanding of the academic skills taught, as well as their ability to research, evaluate sources and interpret and evaluate relevant information and ideas, demonstrating their ability to use their skills and knowledge to complete a set task.

The reflective rationale section (up to 500 words) will enable students to reflect on how they chose the sources they did and to review how effective these evaluative methods and actions have been, and also helps mitigate against use of AI-generation.

Assessment:

001 Negotiated assessment; 1,000 word or equiv.; end of semester 1 50%
002 Essay; plus reflective rationale; 2,000 words; end of semester 2 50%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Yasmin Coyte
Level - 0
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 3YL

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