Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2013-2014 (archived)

Module FOUD0358: Extended Essay - History

Department: Foundation Year (Durham)

FOUD0358: Extended Essay - History

Type Open Level 0 Credits 30 Availability Available in 2013/14 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • • Academic Practice in Arts and Humanities

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • • Academic Practice in Social Sciences • Extended Research • Academic Practice in Business • Academic Practice in Science

Aims

  • To allow students to pursue and develop subject specific interests.
  • To allow students to work independently with supervision in some depth.
  • to develop methods of research and analysis.

Content

  • Identify a subject area which can be focused under supervision.
  • Construct an action plan.
  • Keep a reflective diary for meeting with supervisor to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses.
  • Produce an extensive bibliography of different types of sources which will include primary and secondary.
  • Outline a research proposal for discussion and agreement with advisor.
  • Carry out individual research of specific subject area.
  • Produce final extended essay.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of this module students will have acquired the knowledge to be able to:
  • Develop their skills to analyse and make use of a variety of sources and materials specific to their topic (SK1);
  • Develop their writing skills according to subject specific practices (SK2).
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module the student will:
  • Be able to select suitable and relevant source materials (SS1);
  • Be able to read and critically analyse a range of sources (SS2);
  • Be able to present information according to the methods relevant to their subject area (SS3);
  • Be able to construct academic arguments using a range of sources (SS4).
Key Skills:
  • By the end of the module the student will:
  • Develop independent learning (KS1);
  • Work closely with a supervisor to develop research skills (KS2);
  • Research appropriate sources (KS3);
  • Develop analytical skills (KS4);
  • Develop writing skills to present research in the correct format (KS5).
  • Demonstrate the ability to monitor their own learning (KS6)

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Students will develop their research skills through a series of meetings with their academic advisor;
  • Students will be expected to keep a reflective diary to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses to improve development;
  • Students will be expected to follow an action plan to ensure they adhere to a strict timetable;
  • Extended Essay will assess: SK1, SK2, SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5;
  • Action Plan will assess: SK1, KS2;
  • Reflective Diary will assess: KS6.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Supervision sessions 5 1 hour 5
Preparation and Reading 295
Total 300

Summative Assessment

Component: Essay Component Weighting: 80%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Extended Essay 5000 words 60% Resubmission
Literature Review 1000 words 20% Resubmission
Bibliography 20% Resubmission
Component: Reflective Diary Component Weighting: 10%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Reflective Diary Minimum 10 entries 100% Resubmission
Component: Action Plan Component Weighting: 10%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Action Plan 500 words 100% Resubmission

Formative Assessment:

Writing task based on reflective journal entries.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University