Module FOUD0761: Core Foundation English

Department: Foundation Year (Durham)

FOUD0761: Core Foundation English

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• 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

• 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.

• 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

• 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 invigilated test 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 invigilated test.
• 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 - Test

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

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.

■ 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