
- UCAS course code
- VL53
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Study Skills (BA Econ/BASS) - semester 2
Unit code | SOCS10902 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 10 |
Unit level | Level 1 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
Offered by | School of Social Sciences |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
SESSION 1 - Aims, learning outcomes and motivation
SESSION 2 – Plagiarism
SESSION 3 – Using the library
SESSION 4 – Information management
SESSION 5 – The social science essay
SESSION 6 – Critical thinking
SESSION 7 – Exam technique and revision
SESSION 8 – Transferable skills
SESSION 9 – Presentations and group work
SESSSION 10 – Reflecting on learning
Pre/co-requisites
Aims
1. To develop students' self-confidence in a reange of learning processes
2. To encourage reflection on how students might improve their study skills and habits
3. To facilitate mutual help, team-work and the sharing of successful study techniques
4. To enable students to develop a range of academic and transferable skills, including communicating ideas and argument in written form, giving presentations, team-work and research
5. To enable students to manage their learning by developing discipline, planning and time management.
Learning outcomes
Effective learning is developed through group work which builds on the experiences of students as much as on the expertise of staff. Different ideas about successful study methods are shared. Group tasks and individual take-away exercises focus on the study research and presentational skills which add to an awareness and understanding of the purpose and powers of learning.
Teaching and learning methods
Classes will be given in a workshop format, with exercises and group work. There are no formal lectures. Some classes will be student-led, and others given by central or other services. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own learning patterns and habits as much as possible, and to adopt and reject ideas for methods on the basis of whether they work.
Assessment methods
Final mark weighting:
Group presentation = 40%
Portfolio = 30%
Essay = 30%
Recommended reading
Suggested:
Andrew Northedge
"The Good Study Guide" (1990), Open University
Thomas Dixon
"How to Get a First" (2004), Routledge
John Pede and Martin Coyle
"Write it Right" (2005) Palgrave
Peter Redman
"Good Essay Writing" (2006) Open University/Saye
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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Practical classes & workshops | 20 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 80 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
---|---|
Paul Smith | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
Information
*****ONLY AVAILABLE TO FIRST YEAR BA ECON STUDENTS*****
THIS COURSE MUST NOT BE TAKEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH SOCS10911 Study Skills (semester one)
Length of course: 10 weeks of instruction
On completion of this unit, successful students will be able to:
1. Manage their tiime more successfully
2. Avoid plagiarism and demonstrate that they are conversant with techniques for avoiding plagiarism (summary, paraphrasing, etc.)
3. Plan a social science essay
4. Write a report
5. Demonstrate constructive habits in reading and note taking
6. Show a better approach to examinations
7. Work more productively in groups
8. Give successful oral presentations
9. Undertake an effective search for information/data
Timetable
Thursday 10-12 (rooms to be confirmed)