PLMSLC4: Speech Language and Communication 4 M (Across the Lifespan)

Module code: PLMSLC4

Module provider: Clinical Language Sciences; Sch of Psych and CLS

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Mrs Afshan O'Sullivan, email: a.j.osullivan@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE PLMSLC1 OR TAKE PLMCI1R (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE PLMSLC3 (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 2 October 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The aim of this module is to develop knowledge and understanding of the evidence base needed to assess, diagnose and manage disorders of eating drinking and swallowing and voice, in adults. Disorders of head and neck and communication, speech and language in adults with learning disabilities are also covered. The module heavily draws knowledge from related disciplines such as linguistics, psychology, neurology, medicine. Students will learn to apply and critically evaluate the evidence-base to assess, diagnose and manage adults with speech, language and communication difficulties. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Synthesise knowledge of phonetics, linguistics, psychology, medical sciences to explain, assess eating drinking and swallowing, voice, head and neck and communication, speech and language in adults with acquired or developmental diagnoses. 
2. Critically evaluate and demonstrate an inclusive and holistic understanding in solving clinical problems relating to assessment, differential diagnosis and management by applying the relevant evidence-base. 
3. Recognise the characteristics and consequences of barriers to inclusion and the impact of culture equality and diversity approach to assessment, differential diagnosis and management including ethical considerations, for adults living with complex conditions as a result of acquired or developmental diagnoses. 

Module content

The evidence-base relevant to assessment, differential diagnosis and management of eating drinking and swallowing and voice, in adults. Disorders of head and neck and communication, speech and language in adult with learning disabilities will be covered. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

• Lectures, including interactive sections, group discussions and demonstrations, where appropriate  
• Recommended reading from additional textbooks and research articles 

Study hours

At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Paired and group work in class provides opportunities to received feedback on evidence-based clinical reasoning of the sort assessed in the summative assessment for the module. Practise with case-based learning via workshops and workbooks.

Reassessment

Additional costs