Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2020-2021 (archived)

Module FOUD0247: Further Preparation for Higher Education

Department: Foundation Year (Durham)

FOUD0247: Further Preparation for Higher Education

Type Open Level 0 Credits 10 Availability Not available in 2020/21 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide students with a grounding in study skills and their supporting technology.
  • To provide students with a background to British academic conventions and expectations.
  • To prepare students for future undergraduate study at a British university.
  • To provide students with a grounding in library and research skills.

Content

  • Use of standard Microsoft packages including MS Powerpoint.
  • Use of DUO and associated tools.
  • Practice of library research tasks. .
  • Study of referencing and citation
  • Study of academic writing process (note-taking, planning, drafting, proofreading).
  • Study of exam techniques.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of this module students will have acquired the knowledge to be able to:
  • have a good understanding of the concept of plagiarism and how to avoid it (SK1).
  • have a basic understanding of referencing styles (SK2).
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module the student will:
  • be able to summarise a text appropriately (SS1)
  • be able to use MS Powerpoint appropriately.(SS2).
  • be able to reference a piece of work appropriately (SS3).
  • Be able to construct a bibliography (SS4)
  • Be able to produce written work in an appropriate and academic style (SS5)
  • Be able to use appropriate skills and strategies to avoid plagiarism (SS6)
  • Be able to use study skills such as note taking and mind mapping (SS7)
  • Be able to use the library to perform simple research tasks (SS8)
  • be able to use online information resources (SS9).
Key Skills:
  • By the end of the module the student will:
  • be able to demonstrate good ICT skills (KS1).
  • be able to communicate effectively in writing (KS2).
  • be able to demonstrate problem solving skills (KS3).
  • be able to collaborate appropriately in a group task (KS4).
  • be able to select and present research appropriately, both orally and in written form (KS5).

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

  • Theory, initial concepts and research techniques will be introduced during seminars.
  • Much of the learning, understanding and consolidation will take place through group work, discussions and library assignments during teaching sessions and students' own time.
  • Written summary will assess: SS1, SS3, SS5, SS6, SS7, KS2, KS3
  • Group Essay will assess: SK1, SK2, SS3, SS4, SS5, SS6, SS7, SS8, KS2, KS3
  • Group Poster Presentation will assess: SS2, SS3, SS5, SS6, SS7, SS8, SS9, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Seminars 20 twice weekly 2 hours 40
Preparation and Reading 60
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment 1 Component Weighting: 25%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written Summary 10% of article (approx 5-10000 word article) 100% resubmission
Component: Assignment 2 Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Group Essay 1000 word allowance per group member 100% resubmission
Component: Assignment 3 Component Weighting: 25%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Group Poster Presentation 100% resubmission

Formative Assessment:

None.


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