Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook
This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2016-2017 (archived)

Module FOUN0751: Core Foundation English

Department: Foundation Year

FOUN0751: Core Foundation English

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Open 0 20 Available in 2016/2017 Queen's Campus Stockton

Pre-requisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations

  • None

Aims

  • To introduce and develop speaking and listening skills.
  • To enhance and develop students’ ability to write accurately, and to construct and convey meaning effectively.
  • To promote and develop reading with comprehension, purpose and reason.

Content

  • The module will provide an opportunity to read a variety of texts, which may include prose, poetry and drama texts, and texts from non-fiction and media.
  • These texts will provide the basis for students to engage in discussion and to develop their ability to describe, narrate, analyse, argue, persuade, and explore.
  • These texts will provide the basis for students to produce written work in a variety of genres.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • By the end of the module the students will:
  • know how to communicate orally in a clear and appropriate way.
  • Be able to clearly articulate informed and relevant responses to literary texts, in a way appropriate to purpose, audience and medium.
  • be able to analyse different texts.
  • have some awareness of literary theory.
Subject-specific Skills
  • By the end of the module students will have acquired the skills to:
  • Express themselves orally in a confident and appropriate manner
  • Read and critically analyse different types of writing using specialist vocabulary when appropriate,for example, poetic terminology to support informed interpretations.
  • Communicate content and meaning through sophisticated and mature writing
  • Organise relevant information clearly and coherently
Key Skills
  • By the end of the module students will:
  • be able to communicate effectively in writing
  • be able to communicate effectively orally
  • be able to demonstrate critical thinking skills
  • be able to demonstrate literary analysis
  • Assignment 1 will assess:- SSS3; SSS4; KS1
  • Assignment 2 will assess:- SSK1; SSK2; SSK3; SSS1; SSS3; SSS4; KS1; KS2; SS4
  • The test will assess:- SSK2; SSK3; SSS2; SSS3; SSS4; KS1; KS3
  • The exam will assess:- SSK2; SSK3; SSK4; SSS2; SSS3; SSS4; KS1; KS2; KS3

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

  • Teaching will be in the form of tutor-led classes and discussions
  • Learning and understanding will be consolidated through the use of exercises, group work, discussions, tutorials and students’ own study.
  • Knowledge and skills will be assessed by a summative assignment, oral presentation and an examination.
  • Revision of grammar, spelling and punctuation will be carried out in class so that students can consolidate their skills during their own study.
  • A range of different writing styles will be examined, such as poetry, drama, the novel, advertising and print, in order to develop genre awareness.
  • Students will be enabled to identify different aspects of writing, such as narrative voice, bias, argument, description and emotive writing, in a wide variety of texts.
  • Students will become familiar with poetic and dramatic terms so that they can express themselves meaningfully when analysing prose and poetry.
  • In addition to obtaining an overall weighted mark of 50% or above, students must obtain a mark of 50% or above for the following element/s - Exam

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Lectures 21 Weekly 2 42
Seminars 21 Weekly 1 21
Preparation and Reading 137
Total 200

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Portfolio 40% Assignment 1 Between 1500 and 2000 words 50% Resubmission
Assignment 2 - Oral Up to 1500 words 50% Resubmission
Invigilated Examination 60% Examination 3 hours 100% Resit

Formative Assessment

Students will be given shorter versions of the summative assessments to be completed and handed in online or in class, and given feedback on these exercises. These may take the form of short personal diaries, critical analysis of short texts, or a group oral presentation. Students will also complete an invigilated two hour test at the end of Teaching Block 1, in order to provide extensive feedback to develop progression on the module.


Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.