Module catalogue: SH4053

SH4053 - Academic skills & literacy: finding & presenting information (2024/25)

Module specification

Module approved to run in 2024/25

Module title

Academic skills & literacy: finding & presenting information

Module level

Certificate (04)

Credit rating for module

School

School of Social Sciences and Professions

Total study hours

150

14 hours	Assessment Preparation / Delivery
100 hours	Guided independent study
36 hours	Scheduled learning & teaching activities

Assessment components

Type	Weighting	Qualifying mark	Description
Coursework	40%		Annotated bibliography of 5 identified relevant academic sources, app. 500 words
Coursework	60%		Review of one journal article/book chapter

Running in 2024/25

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)

Period	Campus	Day	Time	Module Leader
Summer studies	North	Tuesday	Morning
Spring semester	North	Thursday	Morning

Module summary

The module is an academic skills module which serves to develop key academic skills in first year students. Its main focus is developing students’ skills in identifying, understanding, and presenting literature, data and information.

This module aims to:

- Develop key skills essential to all years of higher education, including researching, reading, writing, referencing, and critical thinking
- Develop ability to effectively read and comprehend academic literature
- Develop ability to present academic literature, both written and verbally
- Develop understanding of the quality and validity of different sources of information
- Provide opportunities for self-development and reflection

Syllabus

The module syllabus is designed to tackle each LO in turn, through covering these 6 key areas:

1. Using University resources in identifying key academic literature and information
2. Reading and writing skills for university
3. Referencing and citations
4. Understanding academic texts
5. Presentation of academic texts, verbal and written
6. Quality and validity of information

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

A range of teaching methods will be used throughout this module: lectures, seminars, workshops, activities and discussions. The module will also apply the flipped-class method, where students will be required to read set texts or other information, and to discuss these in classes and seminars. Additional resources will be available online via
WebLearn. Module staff will be available to provide face-to-face, telephone, and email support to students during and outside timetabled sessions.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the module, students will able to:

1. Effectively make use of the University’s academic resources to identify and obtain academic literature and other relevant information
2. Demonstrate the ability to use academic systems of referencing
3. Present and discuss relevant and appropriate academic literature
4. Understand and explain the quality and validity of various types of literature and information
5. Self-reflect upon own academic development

Bibliography