Humanities in the Workplace
| Module title | Humanities in the Workplace |
|---|---|
| Module code | HUM2001 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Sarah Goldingay (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 | 7 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 32 |
|---|
Module description
This module will permit you to study on one or two subject-related placements, totalling at least 40 hours. The module will allow you to develop an understanding of how the skills and knowledge acquired as part of a Humanities degree are applicable to the workplace and to extend relevant work-based skills and knowledge in a reflective way. The module provides an opportunity for you to develop an understanding of a business or work environment through practical work and to gain experience in the use of technologies and applications commonly used in organisations.
Module aims - intentions of the module
Workshops: you are required to take a series of workshops, co-ordinated by the Module Leader and Work Placement Co-ordinator, with support from the Employability & Graduate Development Service, on getting started, CV writing, the interview experience, applications and letter-writing, corporate and commercial awareness and managing expectations. These will take the shape of a two-day intensive workshop followed by two follow-up workshops of 2 hours each.
One-to-one consultations: you will have one-to-one consultations with the Humanities Work Placement Co-ordinator, in which an appropriate placement will be discussed. You will also have the opportunity of scheduled consultations with a discipline-based supervisor, and the option of a feedback session with a Careers Advisor.
Seminars: you will participate in a series of 5 x 1 hour seminars led by a module tutor, with involvement from other members of academic staff from across the College of Humanities. These sessions will enable you to understand employment-related issues from the perspective of a range of theoretical and disciplinary perspectives.
Independent work experience and study: with the assistance of the Humanities Work Placement Co-ordinator, you will be required to organise your own placements, including preparing appropriate CVs and cover letters, and to successfully navigate interviews and employment tests. You will work for at least 40 hours in an agreed professional setting and will reflect on that experience within the context of the module's assessment. It is your responsibility to keep the Module Leader informed of progress in the workplace and of problems that have arisen.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate an ability to reflect critically on practical experiences gained, and the impact they may have on your views and actions
- 2. Establish connections between the skills acquired as part of a degree in the Humanities and the skills required in the workplace
- 3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the social, cultural and political considerations which influence employment settings, using appropriate discipline-specific theoretical perspectives to analyse those settings
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Demonstrate your ability to use appropriate discipline-specific critical approaches to evaluate the social and cultural and political aspects of an employment setting
- 5. Demonstrate an ability to communicate (in writing and in speech) in a manner appropriate to the particular workplace context
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Develop/enhance practical work-based skills and experience
- 7. Negotiate the different types of working relationships with staff within the workplace, and others directly or indirectly relevant to the placement
- 8. Demonstrate the ability to identify and reflect on personal challenges and to learn from their resolution
- 9. Demonstrate the ability to use a range of technologies and applications relevant to most work places
Syllabus plan
The module will start in Term 3 of Year 1.
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that the schedule for this term will include:
- 1 day-long practical workshop on Recruitment and Selection (including interview experience)
- A total of 10 hours of workshops covering CV writing; application and letter writing; sourcing and selecting a placement
- Consultation with Employability Manager about suitable placement
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that the schedule for Year 2 will include:
- 5 x 1 hour interdisciplinary seminars
- Consultations with module tutors
- Submission of assessment
Work experience can take place at various points in the year, in one block or continuously (with a maximum 15h/week during term time). The module is designed to enable the work placement(s) to take place at any point between the last workshop and the assessment.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | 86 | 40 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 17 | Workshops, including 1 x 1 hour workshop on presentation skills |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 5 | Seminars |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 2 | Feedback |
| Guided Independent Study | 86 | Research, reading and essay preparation |
| Placement | 40 | Work experience |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | 0 | 55 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual oral presentation | 45 | 10 minutes | 1-9 | Feedback sheet with opportunity for tutorial follow-up |
| Written reflective commentary | 45 | 1000 words | 1-5,8 | Feedback sheet with opportunity for tutorial follow-up |
| Seminar participation | 10 | Continuous | 1-9 | Oral feedback and opportunity for office hours follow-up |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual oral presentation | Oral presentation (10 minutes) | 1-9 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Written reflective commentary | Reflective commentary (1000 words) | 1-5,8 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Seminar participation | Not applicable | Not applicable | Repeat study or mitogation |
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 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
To be provided in consultation with the Module Leader regarding the specific placement.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Preparatory materials provided as part of the workshops, including guidance on writing a CV, application letters and an occupational profile. Facilities available in the Employability and Graduate Development Service in Reed Mews. Discipline-based supervisors will provide bibliographical guidance.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 2011 |
| Last revision date | 19/02/2019 |
