IL1GMB2-Modern Britain: Society, culture and history £ Undergraduate Research

Module Provider: International Study and Language Institute
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Summer term module
Pre-requisites: IL1GMB1 Modern Britain: Society, culture and history 1
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Mrs Daniela Standen
Email: d.standen@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is ONLY AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS ON THE STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMME. It follows on from LA1MB1 Modern Britain 1: Society, culture and history, and aims at enabling students to broaden their understanding of modern British society, culture, politics and history, by exploring a topic chosen among those taught on LA1MB1 and carrying out guided independent undergraduate research work.

Support is given and adjustments are made for students with disabilities.

Aims:

The module aims at providing students with:

• The opportunity to further an understanding of life in Britain today by focusing on a specific topic of interest (linked to current studies or career aspirations) chosen among those taught on IL1MB1


• A broader understanding of a specific key aspect of life in Britain today


• Increased awareness of the principles underlying academic research


• Skills to carry out independent research at undergraduate level


• Increased ability to translate research/analysis/evaluation skills into transferrable employability skills


• Increased self-awareness and reflection; increased intercultural competence

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of the module students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a broad understanding of one chosen specific aspect of life in Britain today.


• Carry out independent research at undergraduate level to inform the written project.


• Write the project (in the form of an article, blog, essay, report, review) including an annotated bibliography/list of resources, as a tangible output of independent research at undergraduate level.


• Articulate the ability to translate research/analysis/evaluation skills into transferrable employability skills in the form of a reflective entry into a reflective portfolio.


• Demonstrate self- awareness and increased intercultural competence in the form of reflective entries into a reflective portfolio.

Additional outcomes:

• Increased personal effectiveness, self-confidence and efficacy in researching independently.


• Ability to evaluate digital and paper sources.


• Digital competence skills through the search and use of relevant digital resources.

Outline content:

The module will consist of four Twice-weekly introductory and research skills classes and workshops (weeks1-2 of term), followed by three individual project supervisions at the start and half-way through the project. The first and second supervision will enable each student to hone their research question, method and output; the second supervision will provide feedback on the work conducted in the first part of the term. Beyond these contact points students will be working independently resea rching and writing up their individual projects (weeks 3-8 of term). Students will be encouraged to write a detailed research plan to support them with deadlines.

Global context:

The module enables STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMME students to broaden their understanding of a specific aspect of British politics, history, society and culture today whilst reflecting on and articulating their intercultural competence, facilitating their understanding and ability to communicate in a global context.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module is delivered using a flipped learning methodology. Before each seminar or project supervision students are expected to complete tasks.  Tasks may include watching videos, screencasts or narrated PowerPoints, reading, completing activities and participating in discussion boards.

Seminars and supervision session may be delivered face-to-face or online.

Students will be expected to carry out their research project independently.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars			4
Project Supervision			2
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)			30
Wider reading (directed)			10
Advance preparation for classes			10
Carry-out research project			30
Reflection			14
Total hours by term	0	0	100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Portfolio	30
Project output other than dissertation	70

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

A 1,500 words written project (in the form of an article, blog, essay, report, review) on the chosen topic and a 500 words written reflective portfolio.

One Project Output and one Reflective Portfolio, both to be submitted in week 8 of the Summer Term.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will produce a research proposal and a short entry for the reflective portfolio on which written and oral feedback will be provided. During the half-way tutorial oral feedback will be given on the draft project.

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 40% pass mark.

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of coursework , coursework with a mark above 40% will be carried forward. Submission by 2pm on third Friday in August.

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: 16 December 2021