FT3PL20-Work Placements and Profiles (20 Credits)

Module Provider: Film, Theatre and TV
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Non-modular-prerequisite: Undertake a placement or observe working practices at an organisation
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Placement opportunity: Mini placement
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Lucy Tyler
Email: l.s.tyler@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Dominic Lees
Email: d.lees@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This optional module aims to provide an opportunity for career development through reflective learning. Students will either a) self-organise a placement to undertake in an industry or organisation of their choice or b) undertake a detailed examination of an industry, organisation or role of their choice. Students will then construct a written assessment which provides the opportunity for critical reflection on their placement or selected portfolio. 

In the summer term of the previous year, a session will provide dynamic advice on how to secure a placement. Students will work collectively to self-organise a series of relevant industry speakers, and will conduct research on the industry sector that most interests them. Students will develop their approach to the written assessment supported by workshop discussion, and tutor and peer feedback, and in doing so will also develop their pitching and presentation skills.

Aims:

The module aims to provide an opportunity for reflective learning in relation to work experience or intensive research into an industry or role of their choice. The module aims to provide students with an opportunity for critical reflection on their own career development in the graduate sector. Students will also be encouraged to reflect on the transferable skills they have acquired in the course of their studies and to identify skills they plan to develop in relation to future employment.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

• reflect critically on the work of an organisation;


• evaluate their own skills and performance in a working context; or create a profile of the requisite skills and performance necessary in a particular working context.


• review their skills and experience and identify their training needs in relation to their career plans;


• deploy skills in resear ch, writing and presentation in documenting and reflecting on their experience or research.

Additional outcomes:

This module enables students to develop practical, organisational and reflective skills. The module extends skills and competencies which are central to the degree: teamwork; oral communication and group co-operation; critical and contextual analysis and coherent argument; presentation of written work. 

Outline content:

This module will provide a combination of industry speakers organized by the students, workshop and feedback sessions on students’ developing approach to the module, and a series of tasks that develop students’ self-presentation and careers planning in an industry context, including designing a personal website with landing page, biography and downloadable creative CV, a SMART career action plan, and a blog reflection on their placement experience (as applicable). Placement experi ence can take place in either Autumn or Spring terms, or in the associated vacation periods, and guidance on winning placements is provided in the Summer term of the previous year. 

Global context:

Students will have the opportunity to research an industry in a geographical location of their choosing. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Students will learn through self-directed study, a self-organised programme of industry speakers, placement experience, and classes that build confidence in identifying and securing placements, and that will provide tutor and peer feedback on students’ developing approach to their written assessment. Students will undertake other tasks outside of class time, which are focused on honing their skills of self-presentation and careers planning in an industry context.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		2
Demonstration		8
Work-based learning		40
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		50
Preparation of practical report		40
Completion of formative assessment tasks		40
Group study tasks		20
Total hours by term	0		0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Portfolio	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will undertake a placement report or portfolio (1,500 words) and a reflective report (3,000 words). The placement report or portfolio will include a) a detailed overview of the main activities of the organisation or role; b) an overview of its remit and any challenges it currently faces. For students undertaking the placement, the reflective report will include a) a detailed account of the student’s work for the organisation, drawing attention to the utilisation of skills and competencies developed during their undergraduate studies and outlining new skills and competencies developed through the experience; (b) an analysis of the relationship between the student’s work experience and intended career, including detailed consideration of future training needs and plans for fulfilling these needs; (c) an appendix (outside the word count) of relevant documentation, which may include photographs, printed or recorded materials, statistical or other data. For students undertaking the portfolio, the reflective report will include a) a detailed account of aspects of the industry, organisation or role that are of particular interest to the student that will help to prepare the student for entry into such an industry, organisation or role; b) an analysis of how these skills are developed and what qualifications are necessary to achieve this; c) an appendix (outside the word count) of relevant documentation, which may include photographs or recorded materials, statistical or other data.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will write a related blog post (600 words), design and personal website with landing page, biography and downloadable CV and, furthermore, include in their submission a SMART action plan.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres 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 (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:

An overall mark of 40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Submission of additional coursework.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 25 November 2021