Module manager: Dr Kristi Boone
Email: K.L.Boone@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This core module for the Liberal Arts programme introduces you to the liberal arts tradition of education; various ideals of personal and intellectual formation and their relation to different visions of a just society; and examines the idea and value of interdisciplinary study.
On this module, you will learn how historical conceptions of a Liberal Arts education relate to your own chosen path through the programme (your major and topic modules); how different ideals of education relate to different conceptions of the good life; how different methods of learning relate to issues of justice; how to combine the perspectives of different disciplines to consider a focal theme or question; to present your ideas clearly and effectively both orally and in writing, and how to vary your style of communication to suit the needs of diverse audiences.
Lectures provide the theoretical foundation for a key module aim: understanding different ideals of education and their relation to different conceptions of the good life.
The discussion-centred seminars fulfil another central aim by enabling you to critically reflect on how different methods of learning relate to issues of justice.
These complementary teaching approaches support two further aims: developing your capacity to combine perspectives from different disciplines when considering focal themes or questions and your ability to present ideas clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
Through active engagement in both lectures and seminars, you will develop the ability to vary communication styles to suit diverse audiences.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Critically evaluate the concept and principles of more than one discipline and identify the opportunities and challenges of interdisciplinary study;
2. Identify and analyse key ideas and historical developments in liberal arts education
3. Clearly communicate the results of your work, through presenting a basic argument that is well-structured and coherent;
4. Reflect on the appropriateness of various styles of communication when addressing different audiences;
5. Weigh up different arguments and perspectives and use supporting evidence and appropriate sources to form opinions, arguments, theories and ideas.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
6. Collaborate and contribute to a group project (Academic and Work Ready Skill).
7. Express your own views and appreciate your strengths and weaknesses as a learner (Academic and Work Ready Skill).
8. Identify when, why and how to appropriately acknowledge someone else’s work and ideas (Academic Skill).
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminars | 21 | 1 | 21 |
| Private study hours | 169 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 31 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Informal formative feedback for this module will be provided in the seminars and student hours, as well as through training sessions in podcasting, group work, and reflective writing. Students will submit a researched storyboard and plan for the podcast ahead of recording and will participate in a group meeting with the module leader. They can also submit a section of the written reflection for feedback.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Group Podcast | 50 |
| Coursework | Reflective Log | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Group Podcast – If a whole group are resitting, then same method as first attempt on a different topic. If an individual is resitting, then they will give an individual presentation.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 03/03/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team