Royal Holloway, U of London

L
Learning  Outcomes:	(Describe no more than 6 outcomes that students should be expected to achieve by the end of the course)
By the end of the course students should be able to:
	1. (max 50 words) develop a critical understanding of selected themes related to aspects of contemporary Britain (20th-21st century)
	2. (max 50 words) locate, identify, and understand the main and subsidiary meanings of texts taken from journals, newspapers and books related to the above themes;
	3. (max 50 words) summarise, synthesise and critically evaluate ideas taken from these sources
	4. (max 50 words) 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. (max 50 words) participate effectively in academic discussions
	6. (max 50 words) reflect on their strengths and weaknesses as independent learners, and adopt appropriate strategies to make improvements

Course Summary:	Please outline the course aims and content, max 300 words. Please do not use bullet points.
This half course unit offers international students (both native speakers and non-native speakers) who are unfamiliar with study in a British university opportunities toengage in a range of representative academic tasks in order to develop the academic literacy skills appropriate for study in arts and humanities subjects at first year undergraduate level.

This is done by exploring aspects of contemporary Britain (20-21st century) revealed in newspaper articles, films, songs, documentaries, and scholarly texts in order to develop an 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.

The course follows a topic based approach with a range of related topics covered during the term. Each theme is introduced following a variety of methods which include formal lectures, and the use of audio and visual materials.  Students are expected to critically engage with diverse sources which include scholarly texts, as well as film, newspapers and documentaries. They are expected to make a significant contribution in class and thus contribute to their own, as well as their fellow students’ learning.  Self-directed, and directed work done outside of class time, forms a central element of this course, and students should expect to do at least 10 hours of independent work per week. 




Required Materials: 
Click here for the reading list system


Technical Requirements: 
Teaching & Learning Methods:		
Lectures - 1 hour per week - 10 weeks - 10 hours
Seminars - 2 hour per week - 10 weeks - 20 hours
Guided Independent Study - 130 hours

Formative Assessment 
Essay plan
 - Written feedback
Essay first draft
 - Written feedback
Formative in-class presentation/seminar assessment
 - 30 minutes - Written feedback

Summative Assessment:	
Coursework essay - 60 % - 2000 words 
Assessed presentation and seminar (combined) - 30% - 8-10 minutes
Moodle Study Tasks  - 10% - Up to 30 questions