Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

None

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

This module is designed to help international students develop the study skills required for an undergraduate degree programme at a UK university. The module will provide students with a task-centred experience of the academic culture of Newcastle University and of UK HE more generally. The practical skills, knowledge and intellectual expectations which combine to form the study toolbox of UK undergraduate students will be the principal focus of the module. Much of the module and its learning aims will be delivered in the context of an independent research project of 2000 words.
This module will also give the opportunity to draw together themes, ideas and skills developed in other academic modules on the programme as well as utilising skills developed in EAP.
The modules specific aims are:

•       To introduce students to the academic culture of UK Higher Education and of Newcastle University
•       To provide students with the intellectual development necessary for entry to UK HE and in particular for entry into Newcastle University
•       To develop key study skills required in UK HE
•       To prepare students for independent study at undergraduate level in a UK HEI through the research, preparation and presentation of a project in the form of an extended essay of 2,000 words in a subject of the student’s choice, but normally related to their degree programme application.

Outline Of Syllabus

Academic culture in UK HE – critical approaches; independent learning
Teaching, learning and assessment in UK HEIs
Lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops
Taking notes in lectures and from texts
Library and information skills
Academic reading
Team-working skills
Oral presentation skills
IT skills – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, E-mail, web
Research skills

Using and interpreting data
The contested nature of knowledge
Examination and revision technique
Time management
Introduction to the requirements of the project
Choosing a topic, constructing an argument; structuring an extended essay
Referencing
Reading drafts and proof reading

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

To identify the key features of the academic culture of UK HE
To outline teaching, learning and assessment in UK HE
To describe the role of lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops
To discuss the contested nature of knowledge in social sciences and humanities
To select an individual topic, normally in a subject related to their intended undergraduate degree programme study.
To select appropriate source texts.
To organise and present information and arguments within the conventions of the chosen subject in the framework of an extended essay.
To recognise the importance of intellectual property.
To write in an appropriate academic style with correct citation and referencing

Intended Skill Outcomes

Students will develop key skills in the following areas:

Appropriate library and information search skills
Taking notes from lectures and texts
Extracting and interpreting data
Structuring and presenting an extended piece of writing
Presenting information in an appropriate format using IT skills
Critically analysing information
Appropriate citation and referencing techniques
Techniques to avoid plagiarism
Working independently to prepare and present a topic
Editing and proof-reading drafts.
Working in teams
Examination and revision techniques
Time management and organisation
Research techniques

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will be used to provide an exposition of the knowledge content of the module and to introduce skills through exposition, videos, examples. Smaller group sessions will be geared to the development of the skills which are the main outcomes of this module by providing a safe environment in which these can be practised and where feedback will be given. In particular seminars will be used for practising such skills as oral presentation, extracting and interpreting data, note taking etc. Tutorials will be based on smaller groups and will give students the opportunity to raise issues which are causing them difficulty.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The bundle of assessment activities covers the main features of the skills development required by the module, viz. oral presentation, use of PowerPoint, data analysis and extraction, library and information skills, report writing, group work, use of Word and Excel, academic reading, essay writing, referencing, organisational skills. It does not seem appropriate to be using examination assessment in this area. In addition the skills developed here will be deployed in the other modules.

The main product is the project itself, but 10% of the marks are awarded for an initial presentation of the idea to the student’s seminar group and active participation in these support sessions. This should encourage students to make a decision and get on with work at an early point in the year and also rewards them for being supportive of other students in their group.

General Notes

Original Handbook text: