2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LLLC1102 Academic Skills I

20 Credits Class Size: 25

Module manager: Pat Owens
Email: P.J.Owens@adm.leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

Mutually Exclusive

This module is approved as an Elective

This module is approved as a Skills Elective

Module summary

This is an opportunity to develop some of the core academic and research skills needed for success at university. Through team and individual research on a chosen topic, you will have first-hand experience of gathering evidence, analysing what you have found, developing your early formulation of ideas through further research and re-drafting and presenting critical arguments both in written work and verbally. There will be a particular emphasis on looking at the topic from a range of disciplinary perspectives to help you to understand the different ways in which academic disciplines approach a subject and so inform your choices for further study. A personal statement and short piece of academic writing will be required in the early stages of the module to help to identify the areas for development that you should be focusing on. A reflective log and essay completes the range of required assessed work. This module runs twice (Monday 12 noon - 1.30 pm and Tuesday 6.00 - 7.30 pm) and is taught over two semesters. For further information contact p.j.owens@leeds.ac.uk

Objectives

This module will allow students to:
1. develop core academic and research skills through consideration of a given topic from a number of disciplinary perspectives;
2. understand different ways in which academic disciplines approach a subject in order to make informed choices for further study;
3. identify their own strengths in relation to academic skills and work on areas for development.

Skills outcomes

1. Personal development planning, personal reflection and evaluation;
2. Team working;
3. Use of electronic media;
4. Accurate reporting and referencing;
5. Information gathering, selection and analysis;
6. Formulation of critical discussion of a topic;
7. Clarity of expression and reasoned argument, both orally and in writing;
8. Development of argument through pursuing further information and redrafting earlier formulations of ideas;
9. Ability to structure and implement processes of enquiry.

Syllabus

Supervised team research exercise to develop skills in:
1. gathering data from a range of sources, including electronic media;
2. evaluating data for quality and selecting for relevance;
3. referencing and avoidance of plagiarism;
4. reflection on initial findings and identification of further work needed;
5. analysing data and developing critical argument and discussion;
6. presenting findings via group presentations and through individual written work;
7. team working and the relationship between team and individual contributions.

Examination of a chosen research topic from several different disciplinary perspectives.

Teaching Methods

Private study

40 hours - seminar preparation and follow-up
35 hours - contribution to group project
35 hours - preparation for and production of reflective log
40 hours - preparation and writing of essay

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- 1 x Personal statement early in module plus short, diagnostic piece of academic writing.
- 1 x Reflective log
- 1 x Essay

Methods of Assessment

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 16/10/2009

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team