LS3PCP-Professional Communication Project

Module Provider: English Language and Applied Linguistics
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Prof Rodney Jones

Email: r.h.jones@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Professional Communication Project

Aims:

This module aims to help students understand how to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in the BA  program in English Language to the completion of a team-based academic or professional project. Students may choose this module (plus an additional option module) in lieu of LS3DI. In this module students will work in teams of four or five to propose and implement a project in which they make use of their knowledge about language, linguistics, and communication.  They will work with a ‘host’, which may be an individual, an organization, or company, and they will be supervised by an academic staff member. Possible projects include a group research project with an academic, conducting research for a company or organization, designing promotional materials, websites, or newsletters for an organization or company, engaging in social media marketing, or planning and executing a public event. At the end of the module individual students will write a critical report reflecting on their experiences conducting the project.

Assessable learning outcomes:

• By the end of the module It is expected that the student will be able to:


• apply concepts from their study of language and linguistics to the process of managing a project including planning, creating a range of text types, and evaluating the outcomes;


• write a professional project proposal and pitch it to a group of stakeholders;;


• locate and assemble sources of information necessary for completing the project;


• communicate effectively with the range of different kinds of people and organizations;


• critically reflect on their experience;


• work effectively in a team to manage the division of labor and solve practical and interpersonal problems.

Additional outcomes:

Students will develop their IT skills by use of relevant web resources and the creation, development and management of databases, and the use of computer resources for executing their projects.

Outline content:

Orientation sessions cover how to come up with an idea, how to write a project proposal, and how to pitch it to a ‘host’, as well as how to work as a team to negotiate the different roles and responsibilities of members. After the allocation of hosts, students will produce a proposal which must be approved by both the supervisor and the host before the implementation of the project. Supervision sessions will provide guidance on the conduct of the project at all stages, paying particular attention to the effective and ethical implementation of the project, problem-solving, and critical evaluation of outcomes.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Summer term, 2nd Year: Orientation sessions. Allocation of supervisors and ‘hosts’. Proposal writing. Autumn 3rd Year:  Implementation and evaluation of project.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Project Supervision	3
Guided independent study:	197
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Project output other than dissertation	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1. Proposal (Group assignment) 20%

Students work together to formulate a proposal for a project of 1500 to 2000 words outlining the rationale for the project, their plan for implementation, and how they plan to evaluate the outcomes.

1. Product ( Group assignment) 30%

the nature of the product will depend on the project: it may consist of a data set, a set of written materials, a web-based product, or an event. The product will be assessed based on criteria agreed on by the group, the supervisor, and the host, and outlined in the project proposal.

1. Reflective essay (individual assignment) 50%

students will write an essay of around 3000 words critically evaluating their participation in the project and discussing how they applied principles and theories from linguistics and language studies.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener 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[1] (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: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/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:

A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination by coursework to be submitted by 21 August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 19 August 2019