CL2PR-Prospects for Classicists and Ancient Historians

Module Provider: Classics
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Mrs Vicki Wiles
Email: v.l.wiles@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
A module designed to foster reflective and employability skills.

Aims:
At the beginning of their second year of undergraduate study, this module gives students an opportunity to reflect on their degree programme so far and to make plans and set targets for the rest of their degree and beyond. The module aims to recognise and enhance the employability of our students. It develops knowledge of the career opportunities that are available to graduates in Classics and Ancient History, and the skills to make effective job applications.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students who complete the module successfully will be able to:

• practise careers-information retrieval, research and decision making skills, using a variety of sources (including the Internet and, where appropriate, interviews with Reading graduates and employers of their degree discipline);


• identify, analyse and articulate the skills and interests they have gained from their undergraduate studies and set them in the context of career decision-making


• develop personal effectiveness and self-awareness through the use of self-reflective tools to identify areas of career interest and evaluate their strengths and career values

Additional outcomes:

Students will:

• develop understanding of broad trends in the graduate labour market and the personal attributes and achievements that employers require;


• learn about effective construction of a curriculum vitae


• develop oral communication skills through group discussion and practical exercises;


• develop IT and information handling skills through using the Internet.

Outline content:

The module consists a series of thematic sessions intended to foster a reflection on the degree and its prospects, the place of the discipline in the modern world, learning strategies for Parts 2 and 3 to aid with specific skill acquisition and employability in given sectors, as well as talks from recent graduates and from members of the University’s Careers Centre.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will comprise lectures/seminars, held in weeks 1, 3, 5 and 7 of term, for a total of six hours. The table below also shows a two-hour class which will take place in the spring term of Part 1.  Lectures/seminars will be based on a combination of information about various areas,and discussions in groups under the direction of the lecturer. Students will be expected to do a certain amount of individual research.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	8
Guided independent study:	92
Total hours by term		0	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1. A detailed self-assessment (c. 1000-1200 words) of the student’s progress within his/her degree to date, drawing on previous essay and exam grades and feedback, considering also extra-curricular activities, in order to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement or development and including an action plan for tackling these.
   
   The first assessment is worth 50% of the module mark and is due by 12 noon on Monday of Week 8 of Autumn term.

2. A job application: a cover letter (max 1 A4 page) accompanied by a CV (CV max. 2 A4 pages); with appropriate formatting. For this the students will need to browse real-life job advert examples and send a PDF or print screen of the job advert with their mock application.
   
   The second assessment is worth 50% of the module mark and is due at 12 noon on the first day of Spring term.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will also have the opportunity of a one-to-one session with a careers consultant.

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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:

40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Resubmission of coursework in August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1. Required text books: None


2. Specialist equipment or materials: None


3. Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: None


4. Printing and binding: None


5. Computers and devices with a particular specification: None


6. Travel, accommodation and subsistence: None

Last updated: 19 February 2024