Research Skills in Theology A
| Module title | Research Skills in Theology A |
|---|---|
| Module code | THEM109 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Emma Loosley Leeming (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
Module description
This module is designed to provide you with training in research methodology appropriate to a range of sub-disciplines within the study of theology and religion. The module will engage with a variety of forms through which academic discourse takes place at postgraduate level (i.e. research papers, conferences, textual material). It will lay the foundations for ongoing MA study and critically consider the wider situation of the discipline within UK higher education.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims provide you with:
- Training in research methodology appropriate to a variety of sub-disciplines within the study of theology and religion
- An opportunity to critically reflect on the nature of the discipline at postgraduate level. This will include consideration of the various forms through which discourse at this level takes place and the situation of the discipline within higher education
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Discuss critically and intelligently the methods employed in a variety of theological sub-disciplines
- 2. Critically reflect on the varying modes by which academic discourse takes place at postgraduate level within the study of theology and religion
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Demonstrate the ability to locate appropriate texts and online resources
- 4. Produce written work that is presented and referenced to professional academic standards
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Produce written work that adheres to a clear brief and style guide
- 6. Participate appropriately in group discussion
Syllabus plan
The module will have three main strands:
1. A short introductory sequence of two-hour seminars:
- Introduction
- Working with discipline-specific resources at postgraduate level
- Theology and Religion’s situation and self-understandings in higher education
2. You will be asked to attend the fortnightly department research seminars and the follow-up discussions.
3. You will be asked to attend at least one conference held during the academic year. This could include, for example, the Humanities PGR conference, the joint regional theology and religion PGR conference or the department postgraduate study day.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 38 | 112 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 6 | Seminar time |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 27 | Department research seminars and discussion |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 5 | Conference attendance |
| Guided independent study | 112 | Private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bibliographical exercise | 1000 words | 3-4 | Written |
| Critical assessment of one department research seminar paper | 1000 words | 1-2, 4-6 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio (a bibliographic exercise, critical assessment of a department research seminar paper, a reflective conference assessment, a reflective piece on the place of theology and religion in HE) | 100 | 4000 words. Maximum of three pieces, one must be at least 2500 words | 1-5 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Portfolio | 1-5 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- R. Burns, Introduction to Research Methods (London: Sage, 2000).
- F. Cottrell, The Study Skills Handbook (London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003).
- K.E. Rudestam, et al., Surviving your Dissertation (London, Sage, 2000).
- Z. Bennett, Your MA in Theology (London: SCM, 2014).
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/07/2013 |
| Last revision date | 25/09/2019 |
