Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2018-2019 (archived)

Module FOUD0371: Academic Practice in Arts and Humanities

Department: Foundation Year (Durham)

FOUD0371: Academic Practice in Arts and Humanities

Type Open Level 0 Credits 20 Availability Not available in 2018/19 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • • Extended Research or History Research Project

Excluded Combination of Modules

Aims

  • to provide students with a background in academic conventions and expectations to prepare them to join the Community of Practice of their subject discipline;
  • to provide students with a grounding in study skills and their supporting technology;
  • to develop an academic voice
  • to develop critical analysis

Content

  • Study of academic writing process (note-taking, planning, drafting, proof-reading);
  • Study of selection of sources for academic study;
  • Study of exam techniques;
  • Study of referencing and citation styles;
  • Study of research methodologies;
  • Study of Critical Thinking and Analysis;
  • Study of how to use online library catalogue and search tools;
  • Practice of library research tasks;
  • Practice of oral skills;
  • Practice of written communication skills
  • Use of standard software packages;
  • Use of DUO and associated tools.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of this module students will have acquired the knowledge to be able to:
  • Understand the concept of academic malpractice and how to avoid it (SK1);
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module the student will:
  • Be able to produce written work in an academic style appropriate to their future course of study (SS1);
  • Be able to use appropriate skills and strategies to avoid plagiarism (SS2);
  • Be able to use appropriate sources (SS3);
  • Be able to use information resources selectively and appropriately (SS4);
  • Be able to construct a bibliography/reference list in a style appropriate to their future course of study (SS5);
  • Be able to reference a piece of work appropriately (SS6);
  • Be able to demonstrate critical thinking skills (SS7);
Key Skills:
  • By the end of the module the student will:
  • Be able to communicate effectively in writing (KS1).

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

  • Students will develop an awareness of subject-specific academic practice through a range of structured individual, group and whole class activities. Many of these activities will be linked to material on current issues, giving students the opportunity to practise applying their subject knowledge and to develop skills in critical analysis.
  • Essay will assess: KS2, KS3, SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5, SS6, SS7, SK1, SK2, SK3
  • Test will assess: KS2, KS3, SS7, SS1

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Class 21 Weekly 3 hours 63
Preparation and Reading 137
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Essay Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Essay 1500 words 100% Resubmission
Component: Test Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Test 3 hours 100% Resit

Formative Assessment:

• Seminar presentation • annotated bibliography • essay plan • essay draft


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