The assessment for this module comprises two elements.
1) 5-minute individual presentation, weighted at 20% (LO5)
In this 5-minute presentation, you will talk about the process of doing your research and writing up your findings.
2) A portfolio of documents, weighted at 80% (LOs 1, 2, 3, 4)
You need to get at least a grade point 1 in your presentation and an overall grade point of 4 to pass this module.

In this portfolio, you demonstrate your competence in carrying out and writing up academic research in your proposed area of study (e.g. a student intending to do a computing award will do a project in the area of computing).

The portfolio will normally contain the following items. They will be completed throughout the module and handed in on dates set by the module tutor. Note that your research - and therefore the documents below - will all be in the area of your proposed study.
Item Description Word length
1 Notes taken from two research sources Word length 100
2 A piece of writing demonstrating punctuation Word length 100
3 A description of plagiarism and how to avoid it, using paragraphing and other linking devices Word length 250
4 A piece of writing demonstrating impersonal style and cautious academic assertion (hedging) Word length 300
5 Working title of your project, accompanied by a plan, highlighting your argument Word length 250
6 Summaries of 2-5 research sources Word length 300
7 Paraphrases of 2-5 research sources Word length 350
8 A bibliography of at least 15 items containing a mix of books, journal articles and web sites (with short annotations - word count refers to annotations) Word length 200
9 Your written project: first draft Word length 1500
10 Your written project: second draft (same project which you've done some more work on)
11 Your written project: a proof-read version (same project which you've done some more work on)
12 A reflective piece of writing on your understanding of cultural aspects of study in a British context Word length 400

You will normally have five hours of class contact time each week. This may be in the form of whole class meetings (maximum 20 students), group tutorials or individual tutorials.
The social and cultural aspects will normally take three hours. They will involve a variety of classroom and homework activities. For example, you may visit local businesses to gain an idea of the economic base of your area. Or you may watch DVDs which explore cultural and social issues. You will take part in various activities which build on these things, such as classroom debates and presentations. All of this will feed into your thinking about your reports, choosing your topic and then writing it.
Class time will be spent developing the skills that are needed to produce a competent piece of academic writing. You will also be spending a lot of time outside the classroom practising these skills and producing your portfolio documents.
Here are some examples of the sort of activities you'll be doing throughout the module:
* discussing possible topics with tutor and fellow students
* doing exercises to help you read more effectively
* practising note taking techniques
* developing an academic written style
* learning how to do academic referencing

Your tutor will select suitable materials to help you to develop these academic writing skills.

The tutor will be able to recommend other useful books to help you with your writing - there are many available to borrow from the library or buy. Another very useful resource is the Internet, where there are dozens of sites which focus on academic writing. As for the material for your topic itself, you'll find your information largely from the university library and the Internet.

There are many books which can help you develop your academic writing skills. Here are some suggested texts:

Cottrell, S. (2003) The Study Skills Handbook, Basingstoke: Palgrave/Macmillan

Lowes, R. et al. (2004) The International Student's Guide: Studying in English at University (London, Sage)
Price, G. and P. Maier (2007) Effective Study Skills: Unlock your Potential (Harlow, Pearson)

* The library
* A PC with MS Office and Internet
* Individual and group study space
* A good advanced learner's English dictionary
* Multimedia equipment (DVD player, listening station)

You will have reached a level of GCSE + 1 year or equivalent in your education system.

The cultural and social aspect of this module will introduce you to various themes which underlie our cultural and social experience in the modern world. This will provide you with a solid base from which you can choose your report topics in an informed way.
This module also aims to help you develop and practise a set of essential academic skills - those you need to research and write a piece of academic writing in your proposed area of study (usually a report, but other types of academic writing - for example an essay - may also be appropriate). These skills include:
* choosing a suitable academic topic
* using a good range of appropriate sources
* constructing an academic argument
* writing appropriate academic English
* learning how to edit and proof-read
* referencing your sources correctly