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Module

SCX8002 : Professional Skills

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Jenny Davidson
  • Co-Module Leader: Mrs Qianqian Qin
  • Lecturer: Dr Alistair Ford, Dr Scott Ashley, Dr Stephen Blenkinsop
  • Owning School: School X
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
  • Capacity limit: 49 student places
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

The module has been designed to prepare students for their academic studies and personal development in leadership for Climate Change and Sustainability. In particular in relation to working in a multidisciplinary setting. The module has four main aims:

1) To develop postgraduate study and research skills such as critical analysis, academic writing and evaluation of research methods and approaches.

2) To develop a critical understanding of self in relation to leadership for climate change and sustainability

3) To develop inclusive practices for global citizenship

4) Develop skills to work in an interdisciplinary setting and in particular to support participation in the Live Projects Module

Outline Of Syllabus

The module combines online learning and lectures with interactive workshops. Core teaching is delivered via lectures, workshops and online and are used to explore and evaluate the core syllabus and use social learning practices to support multidisciplinary learning.

Syllabus may include:

Critical analysis and academic writing skills

Understanding context to identify potential research topics and researchable questions

Considering issues and challenges, where relevant, from a wide variety of perspectives including social, economic, political, religious, ethical and cultural

Thinking critically about theory and practice and different forms of knowledge

Evaluation of research methods and approaches, to ensure rigour, credibility, and value

Evaluating the potential professional, organisational, societal and global impact, including in relation to the SDGs

The process of critically evaluating sources of data,

Understanding self as an individual, including through awareness of learning styles and engagement with critical reflection

Understanding self in a team, including in cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary contexts

Information skills and digital literacies

Exploring employability, entrepreneurship and careers

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion461:0046:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture81:008:00N/A
Structured Guided LearningStructured research and reading activities201:0020:00Asynchronous online
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching162:0032:00To support sense making of lecture content in semester 1 and research proposal development in semester 2
Guided Independent StudyReflective learning activity201:0020:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery22:004:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study661:0066:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesModule talk22:004:00Module talk at outset to present module/ icebreaker sessions to build module community. Module talk at the end to discuss learning and module experience with students.
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The processes of teaching and learning, within this blended learning module, include but are not limited to the following: Face-to-face and online opportunities to acquire knowledge and understanding of theory in practice are provided through attending lectures, listening to and watching podcasts and/or videos, reading and research, and reflective learning. Learning through dialogue, discussion and collaboration, in face-to-face teaching and online, enables students to articulate, respond to and provide feedback on theory, knowledge and practice application, and to question and challenge their own knowledge and practices. Collaborative social learning, online and in the classroom, is a hallmark of the module and will involve peer learning, co-production of knowledge and ideas about practice, and feedback.

Students are expected to enhance their face-to-face and online learning by independent reading and enquiry, for which they are given guidance on relevant materials.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1A50A reflective essay, of 1,500 – 2000 words
Research proposal2M50A 1,500 – 2000-word Report and Time-Plan
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Essay1M500 word reflective writing piece
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Formative Feedback


Formative feedback is provided throughout the module by encouraging learners to respond to questions and engage in reflection, dialogue, debate and discussion in online and face-to-face contexts. In addition, a 500-word reflective writing piece is set in semester 1.

Summative Feedback

The module assessment enables learners to achieve the learning outcomes and to consolidate their learning by articulating the core skill and knowledge outcomes in relation to self and individual practices in multidisciplinary teams through an essay:

1) A reflective essay, of 1500-2000 words

And core postgraduate study skills via research proposal:

2) Research proposal that also includes a project plan, including bibliography, timeline and list of potential resources and audiences for the research

Reading Lists

Timetable