| Unit name | Guided Independent Study |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SPOL30041 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Fahmy |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
The unit will enable you to gain in depth knowledge and understanding of a topic that particularly interests you and contribute to the development of independent critical judgement and analytical thought. You will be provided with the opportunity to explore in detail a topic of your own choice (within the broad framework of Childhood Studies or Social Policy), and present your review of the relevant evidence base, and critical evaluation of the findings, as a literature review assignment of 4,000 words. Your learning will be supported by regular individual supervision.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
The unit is offered to intercalated students registered in the BSc Childhood Studies or BSc Social Policy programmes. It allows you to explore in depth a topic of your own choice that fits the remit of the respective programmes. The area of study for the assignment can be similar to research areas covered in other units of the BSc Childhood Studies or BSc Social Policy programmes; however, the expectation is that the assignment is an individual, separately defined piece of work.
An overview of content
The unit will enable you to gain in depth knowledge and understanding of a topic that particularly interests you, and contribute to the development of independent critical judgement and analytical thought. Eight sessions of synchronous content will help you develop your critical reading, thinking and writing skills, and will include a demonstration of how to search for literature related to the assignment.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will gain new subject-specific knowledge in relation to your topic of interest. You will also gain new transferable skills in critically appraising the evidence base, and planning and carrying out an independent piece of work.
Learning Outcomes
1. Plan and carry out an independent piece of study
2. Search for, and synthesise the evidence for the chosen topic
3. Critically appraise, evaluate and interpret the theory and evidence for the chosen topic
4. Draw up valid conclusions based on the evidence presented and discussed
Teaching will be via face-to-face sessions, where you will be able to discuss assignment ideas and develop your critical reading, thinking and writing skills. Asynchronous materials are also provided to prepare for some face-to-face sessions. A practical demonstration of how to search electronic databases for literature related to the formative assignment will highlight important aspects to consider in searching the evidence base.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Eight sessions of synchronous content, with classroom discussions of research ideas and verbal feedback from the unit coordinator, will help you develop your critical reading, thinking and writing skills, and will include a demonstration of how to search for literature related to the assignment.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Literature Review (4000 words maximum, 100%)
This assessment covers all unit ILOs.
When assessment does not go to plan
Subject to the university regulations for taught programmes, unsuccessful students may be offered an opportunity for reassessment. This will comprise a task of the same format as the original assessment
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SPOL30041).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
