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% |
Key texts
For online Talis resource list click here
10 Tips to Mentally Prepare for Exams | S-cool, the revision website. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.s-cool.co.uk/articles/10-tips-to-mentally-prepare-for-exams
Bethell, Emily, & Milsom, Clare. (n.d.). Posters & presentations. Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.
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.
Creating an Effective PowerPoint - Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://cirt.gcu.edu/teaching3/tips/powerpoint
Data Presentation - FSC Geography Fieldwork. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.geography-fieldwork.org/a-level/before-starting/data-present...
Effective Team-Working | SkillsYouNeed. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/team-working.html
Hall, Richard. (2008). Brilliant presentation: what the best presenters know, do and say. Harlow; New York: Pearson Prentice Hall Business. Retrieved from https://www.dawsonera.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp.rac.... data&target=https://www.dawsonera.com/shibboleth/ShibbolethLogin.html?dest=http s://www.dawsonera.com/abstract/9780273720966
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.
Develop my skills for work | LifeSkills. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://barclayslifeskills.com/i-want-to-develop-my-skills-for-work/school
Skills for OU Study - Skills for OU Study - Open University. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www2.open.ac.uk/students/skillsforstudy/index.php
Study Skills for 6th Form. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://sixthformstudyskills.ncl.ac.uk/
Welcome to cite2write. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.qub.ac.uk/cite2write/home.html