 | Use this page to view syllabus information, learning objectives, required materials, and technical requirements for the module.
As a result of College adapting your modules to combine face-to-face on campus and online teaching and learning support, the breakdown of notional learning hours set out under the heading “Technical Requirements” below may not necessarily reflect how each module will be delivered this year. Further details relating to this will be made available by your department and will be updated as part of the student timetable. |
| CE 1701 - Contemporary Britain: Gov&Cit |
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Associated Term:
2024/25 Academic Session
Learning Objectives:
This module offers students who are unfamiliar with life in Britain an opportunity to explore key aspects of politics and society in Contemporary Britain (20-21st century) as revealed in scholarly texts, documentaries, journalism and films, in order to develop understanding of a new cultural setting. In classes, and through coursework, we analyse these texts, and students will acquire and practise study strategies that will enable effective independent learning in a UK HE environment. Students will also have opportunities to develop the academic literacy appropriate for social sciences at first year undergraduate level.
The module follows a topic-based approach, covering Britain’s recent political history and its relationship with other nations and groups, e.g. the EU. Each theme is introduced through methods which include formal lectures, and the use of audio and visual materials. Students are expected to critically engage with diverse sources, and they are expected to make significant contribution in class and thus contribute to their own, as well as fellow students’ learning. Self-directed, and directed work done outside of class time forms a central element of this module, and students should do at least 10 hours of independent work per week.
A further aim of the module is to facilitate the development of intercultural competence within a diverse cohort in terms of student nationality. Students will be asked to reflect on the politics and society of the country or countries they are familiar with, as they learn about the UK. They will also consider some frameworks for discussing intercultural competence, which will inform students’ reflections and interactions with one another.
The module also includes one external trip a term which is related to the political themes of the module, for example to a local government building or to Westminster and the Houses of Parliament. Cost of travel to be borne by the student.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Develop a critical understanding of selected themes related to aspects of contemporary Britain (20th-21st century);
2. Locate, identify, and understand the main and subsidiary meanings of texts taken from journals, newspapers and books related to the above themes;
3. Summarise, synthesise and critically evaluate ideas taken from these sources;
4. Use information from these sources to develop and deliver a short presentation, as well as plan and write and academic essay, in both cases demonstrating critical understanding;
5. Participate effectively in discussions with students from a range of national and cultural backgrounds and thereby increase their intercultural competence;
6. Reflect on their strengths and weaknesses as independent learners, and adopt appropriate strategies to make improvements.
Required Materials: Click here for the reading list system Technical Requirements: The total number of notional learning hours associated with the module are 150. These will normally be broken down as follows: 10 hours of Lectures across 10 weeks 20 hours of Seminars across 10 weeks 2 hours of External Visits across 1 week 118 hours of Guided Independent Study Formative Assessment: Essay plan - Written feedback Essay first draft - Written feedback Formative in-class presentations/seminars - Oral feedback Summative Assessment: Moodle Study Tasks (Up to 5 questions) - 10% Coursework Essay (2,000 words) - 60% Assessed Presentation (8-10 minutes) - 30% |
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