Module content
Changes in the countryside will provide a theme for further development of academic skills. Historical changes in land use will be investigated, researching main drivers and impacts. Case studies will be key, encompassing topics including, business practice, farming, real- and rural- estate management. An extended writing task will be set as an examination to ensure students are familiar and confident with a key assessment method they would encounter at degree level. A group project will test team working, research, evaluation and presentation skills, focussing on a case study where a change in rural land use is proposed. Students will be introduced to HE level academic skills such as critical evaluation. Referencing will be a particular focus.
Module outcomes
To pass this module, students must be able to:
- Complete an extended piece of academic writing under exam conditions
- Collaborate and research a case study as a team
- Present results of group research as a team
- Evaluate and reflect on a team task including peer review
Assessment
| Assessment | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Evaluation of teamwork including peer review linked to poster presentation (400 words) | 10% |
| Examination | Exam (1 hour) | 50% |
| Practical | Group poster presentation (15 mins) | 40% |
Assessments may differ in 2020/21 due to adjustments for Covid-19. Please check Gateway for the latest regulations.
Key texts
For online Talis resource list click here
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Bromley, P. (n.d.). Countryside management. E & FN Spon, 1990.
Copus, Julia. (n.d.). Brilliant writing tips for students. Palgrave Macmillan, 2009.
Cottrell, Stella. (n.d.). Critical thinking skills: developing effective analysis and argument (2nd ed). Palgrave Macmillan, 2011.
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Neville, Colin. (n.d.). The complete guide to referencing and avoiding plagiarism (3rd ed). Open University Press, 2016.
Pears, Richard, & Shields, Graham J. (n.d.). Cite them right: the essential referencing guide (10th ed). Palgrave, 2016.
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