SOC3143 - Professional Development and Project

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Identify a suitable academic topic that is related to their field of study
Plan an effective project based on existing academic literature and sources.
Present a clear and coherent account of a problem or area of interest in your chosen programme through the undertaking of a project.
Demonstrate reflection on the problems that they encountered when undertaking their chosen project.

Content:

Content in the first semester will consist of student support activities including, for example personal tutoring, learning hub liaison, and or other student support activities to aid in progression and to define a practice interest in preparation for the assessment.

This module will allow students to study areas of interest related to their chosen future academic specialisation. The subject content for each student will be varied and the learning will be highly personalised. General learning will be offered to enhance knowledge and their learning experience. Workshop based tuition will be offered to explore how they will be assessed and the forms that their projects could take. Time will also be allocated so students can explore topics and the form that their projects could take. Peer assessment of their project ideas will be encouraged during sessions and students will work individually on their chosen project.

Students will focus exclusively on existing academic literature and other secondary sources. No primary empirical research will be undertaken. The format that students wish to present their project work in will be negotiable.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module will utilise student-centred learning. Learning will take place around a general theme of professional development and project skills. Students will undertake problem-solving learning and formative feedback will be provided throughout the module. Students will initially attend workshops where the nominated tutor will work with them on how to conduct and construct a successful project. In addition to this experience, students will be able to individually discuss their learning and projects with a member of academic staff throughout the semester. All learning will be supportive with an aim to foster increased self-confidence and self-responsibility. Topics and how information is to be presented for assessment will be individually negotiated between students and members of staff.

Workshops and Seminars
Hours: 40
Intended Group Size: 30

Tutorials
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: 15

Supervision
Hours: 4
Intended Group Size: 1

Guided independent study
Hours: 236

Further details relating to assessment
An individual verbal presentation is to be given about a relevant topic of choice which will form the basis of the project. It should be pitched at the appropriate educational level for the group and will help to enhance the speaking skills and personal confidence of the presenter.

The plan will identify the project’s aim, objectives, key areas to be focused upon, key sources that are likely to be drawn upon and a timeline of activities. The project and the form that it is delivered will be negotiated between the lecturer and the student. It will however not involve empirical research and research participants.

The quiz will be multi-choice and about a relevant topic that they have researched that is clearly linked to their proposed project. It will be presented in ‘laymen’ terms so suitable for most audiences. This will be formative assessment used to gauge what progress the learners are making in their chosen topic area.

The project will require a student to undertake a sustained piece of academic work on a negotiated topic that they agree with the module tutor. This proposal will need to be on a topic related to a student’s intended area of future study. Students will also be able to negotiate how the format that they will present their project work. For example, they could choose to be assessed by a written report, film, a series of blog entries or a portfolio with reflections. As this is a non-empirical project research the traditional academic ethics clearance will not be required.

The learner will be expected to reflect on the problems they encountered during the project as part of the assessment process and this will be incorporated into the submitted project in the form of a reflective conclusion.

Assessment:

001 Verbal presentation and project plan; 5 minutes / 500 words; end of semester 1 30%
002 Project (negotiated assessment); 2,500 words or equivalent; end of semester 2 70%

Fact File

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

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