EN0SFS-Study for Success

Module Provider: English Literature
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:F
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Lucinda Becker
Email: l.m.becker@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module will provide students with much of the knowledge and experience, and many of the study skills, needed to succeed in their chosen BA Programme. Taught through a series of workshop-style seminars and tutorials, it will provide students with the experience and knowledge to produce assignments at undergraduate level and to take a strategic approach to their time at university.

Aims:

To support the learning challenges and assessment requirements that students will face throughout their degree

By the end of this module, students will be:

• Able to analyse material and articulate their ideas, in writing and orally.


• Able to plan their written and oral output effectively.


• Able to manage their study time productively.


• Able to find appropriate resources for their studies.


• Recognise their study skill strengths and areas for improvement.


• Able to plan for continuous skillset improvement.


• Confident in the use of the university’s VLE and other learning technologies.


• Aware of independent study techniques at university.


• Able to work in small groups independently and effectively.

Assessable learning outcomes:

• The ability to reflect on personal skill acquisition and to identify opportunities for developing skills.


• The ability to produce close analysis of a text which demonstrates the ability to analyse closely, to make connections between texts and to form persuasive and well-founded opinions.

Additional outcomes:

• Academic decision making around study options.


• Awareness of acceptable academic conduct.


• A profile of study strengths and areas for continued improvement.


• Understanding the range of opportunities available to undergraduates.

Outline content:

Study skills in Higher Education, including technology enhanced learning practices. The learning will be based on at least six key skill areas:

• Thinking on your feet


• Reading closely


• Analysing and prioritising


• Forming a view


• Talking and persuading


• Presenting your ideas


• Working well in groups


• Making connections

Expertsacross the university will also advise students on areas such as the use of library resources, career planning and life tools such as stress management.

Set texts for the module will reflect the students’ learning journey:

Copus, J. (2010). Brilliant Writing Tips for Students (Pocket Study Skills, 28) (2009th ed.). Red Globe Press.

Godwin, J. (2019). Planning YourEssay (Pocket Study Skills, 9) (3rd ed.). Red Globe Press.

Hopkins, D., & Reid, T. (2020). Work Well in Groups (Super Quick Skills) (1st ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd.

Becker, L. (2019). Give Great Presentations (Super Quick Skills) (1st ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd.

Rabel, K. (2021). Manage Your Time (Super Quick Skills) (1st ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd.

Global context:

This module is especially suitable for students who have been studying outside the UK and wish to become familiar with the methods of teaching and learning in UK HE institutions during their first year at university.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will take students through a week-by-week programme of lectures, seminars, workshops and guided independent study tasks.

Contact hours:

Ìý	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	4
Seminars	10
Practicals classes and workshops	20
Guided independent study:	166
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Written assignments:

Week 7: skill radar chart with 500-word reflective commentary on skills development since Week 1, with plans for skill development.

Week 10: 1000-word seminar preparation exercise. Students will be offered a piece of text and asked to produce:

• An identification of three key sentences in the text, with a consideration of why they are important.


• A 300-word reflection on any bias or assumptions that can be seen in the text.


• A 300-word argument that the student would produce in a seminar discussion of text (given in response to a series of prompts).


• Two questions that the student would raise in a seminar discussion of the text.


• Three examples of further reading the student would undertake as a result of analysing the text.

Formative assessment methods:

Workshop-style seminar activities will produce formative work that will be discussed in groups and be the subject of feedback from the module convenor.

There will be a formative reflective piece of 300-words submitted in Week 3, to help prepare students for their summative reflective piece in Week 7.

There will be a formative exercise submitted in Week 5 to prepare students seminar preparation summative assignment. This exercise will be on a different text from the summative piece.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination in August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: £32

2) Specialist equipment or materials:Ìý

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:Ìý

4) Printing and binding:Ìý

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:Ìý

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:Ìý

Last updated: 30 March 2023