Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module EDUS3361: ENGLISH FOR PRIMARY TEACHING 4: ENGLISH FOR SPECIALISTS

Department: Education [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

EDUS3361: ENGLISH FOR PRIMARY TEACHING 4: ENGLISH FOR SPECIALISTS

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2010/11 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton
Tied to X101

Prerequisites

  • English for Primary Teaching 1 (EDUS1631) AND English for Primary Teaching 2 (EDUS2541).

Corequisites

  • English for Primary Teaching 3 (EDUS3371).

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To deepen and extend students' knowledge and understanding of the role of the subject co-ordinator within primary school, to develop an understanding of how to work with colleagues effectively to support them in the teaching of English in the primary school.

Content

  • Conceptions of English, language across the curriculum, visual literacy, writing and writers, English and progression – implications for devising for English.
  • Planning and delivering in-service sessions for peers, planning and justifying a range of broad practical initiatives in primary English (e.g. book weeks, author visits, story sacks, story tellers, 'curiosity kits' for non fiction).

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Students to demonstrate an awareness of how different conceptions of English (e.g. as an arts subject, as a mode of communication, as training in literacy) can determine the way the subject is taught in schools
  • understand the theoretical background to and current debates about literacy across the curriculum
  • developing English policies, e.g. plan a policy for literacy across the curriculum in the primary school
  • plan, design and deliver presentation which will help others develop their understanding of the teaching of an aspect of English in the primary school
  • understand the theoretical justification for a range of broad practical initiatives in primary English (e.g. book week, author visits, story sacks, story tellers, 'curiosity kits' for non fiction)
  • be able to observe, record and relate educational practice to theory in relation to the above ideas.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • analyse, synthesise and evaluate primary and/or secondary data;
  • critically analyse literature on a variety of contemporary education issues;
  • observe, record and relate educational practice to theory in primary schools and classrooms.
Key Skills:
  • communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively in a variety of ways;
  • work effectively on given tasks and activities;
  • use Information and Communications Technology in a variety of ways;
  • manage time and work to deadlines.
  • think critically and independently;
  • construct and sustain a reasoned argument.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The course will be delivered through weekly workshops integrating lecture input with student participation in specific tasks including fieldwork designed to promote analysis and discussion.
  • All learning outcomes can be assessed by a composite written assignment.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 15 Weekly (excluding placement weeks) 1 hour 15
Tutorials / Seminars / Workshops / Practicals 15 Weekly 1 hour 15
Fieldwork 5 week equivalent Variable across school placement 15 hours 15
Preparation and Reading 155
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
4000 word written assignment 100%

Formative Assessment:

Two pieces of formative writing (about 500 words each)


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University