| CODE | EMP1013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Academic Skills | ||||||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Environmental Management and Planning | ||||||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will introduce students to essential studying and examination skills which will help render their learning process more effective. Through a combination of lectures and workshops, students will be encouraged to explore and understand their own learning style, identifying their strengths and weaknesses. The course will discuss various important student skills including planning, time management, information selection, problem-solving, note-taking and memory work. Delivery will be based around guidance lectures combined with interactive exercises with students, which will help them develop their own strategies for studying. The skills needed for delivering effective presentations will also be discussed. Students will furthermore be introduced to concepts of critical analytical thinking, with reference to both reading and writing. In particular, the unit will focus on showing students how to evaluate the quality of sources of material using such skills, and showing students how to apply concepts of critical thinking and analysis in their own writing. The unit will also discuss the use of internet sources for academic purposes, and will provide guidance for effective use of such material. Students will also be guided in the use of non-electronic sources of information, from the University library and elsewhere. Referencing protocols for using any external material will be discussed, with a strong emphasis on issues of plagiarism. Finally, the unit will introduce students to cartography, orienteering and other outdoor skills related to their course of studies. Study-unit Aims: The unit aims: - to help students develop essential skills to render their learning experience more effective; - to help students develop a reflective, active and self-evaluating approach to learning, enabling them to make the best possible use of the time they have available; - to develop student skills in (i) planning work, (ii) managing time available, (iii) making effective use of lectures and note-taking, (iv) conducting independent research, (v) selective and critical reading, (vi) evaluating the quality of academic sources and (vii) tackling exams and assignments; - to draw students' attention to common shortcomings in assignments and exams; - to emphasize the importance of good referencing practices, particularly with regard to any possible instances of plagiarism; - to develop skills which students will need when conducting fieldwork outdoors, including cartographic and orienteering skills. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a. Identify and describe their individual learning style, and its strengths and weaknesses; b. List (and distinguish between) different potential sources of academic material, both print and electronic; c. Explain how the peer-review process influences the quality of academic sources; d. Define plagiarism and explain why this is a serious act of fraud. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a. Apply key principles of time management and work planning; b. Make effective notes on the basis of lectures delivered; c. Search for source material on academic search engines and subject directories; d. Critically evaluate the quality of published/electronic material; e. Read academic material selectively and critically; f. Deliver effective presentations, based on an understanding of key skills involved; g. Identify and use techniques for improving memory work; h. Provide references for any external materials used; i. Detect instances of possible plagiarism in his/her own work; j. Read maps and navigate using basic outdoor skills. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: Cottrell, S., 2008. The Study Skills Handbook. Palgrave Study Skills. 3rd Edition. ISBN: 978-023-057-305-5. Cottrell, S., 2007. The Exam Skills Handbook. Palgrave Study Skills. 1st Edition. ISBN: 978-023-050-653-4. Supplementary Texts: Cottrell, S., 2005. Critical Thinking Skills. Palgrave Study Skills. 1st Edition. ISBN: 978-140-399-685-5. Cottrell, S., 2003. Skills for Success: The Personal Development Planning Handbook. Palgrave Study Skills. 2nd Edition. ISBN: 978-023-025-018-5. Pears, R. & Shields, G., 2010. Cite Them Right: The Essential Referencing Guide. Palgrave Study Skills. 8th Edition. ISBN: 978-023-027-231-6.Godfrey, J., 2009. How to Use Your Reading in Your Essays. Palgrave Study Skills. 1st Edition. ISBN: 978-023-020-540-6. Greetham, B., 2008. How to Write Better Essays. Palgrave Study Skills. 2nd Edition. ISBN: 978-023-0-22-480-3. Van Emden, J. & Becker, L., 2004. Presentation Skills for Students. Palgrave Study Skills. 2nd Edition. ISBN: 140 3-91346-3. Grix, J. & Watkins, G., 2010. Information Skills: Finding and Using the Right Resources. Palgrave Study Skills. 1st Edition. ISBN: 978-023-022-250-2. Dolowitz, D. & Buckler, S. 2008. Researching Online. Palgrave Study Skills. 1st Edition. ISBN: 978-140-399-722-7. Lewis, M. & Reinders, H., 2006. Study Skills for Speakers of English as a Second Language. Palgrave Study Skills. 1st Edition. ISBN: 978-140-390-026-5. Clegg, B., 2006. Studying Using the Web: The Student's Guide to Using the Ultimate Information Resource. Routledge, ISBN: 978-041-540-374-0. Barass, R., 2005. Students Must Write: A Guide to Better Writing in Coursework and Examinations. Routledge.ISBN: 0-415-358-26-4. O’Dochartaigh, N., 2007. Internet Research Skills: How to do your Literature Search and Find Research Information Online. ISBN: 978-141-29-1-112-2. Seidman, D., 2001. The Essential Wilderness Navigator: How to find your way in the Great Outdoors. McGraw-Hill Education – Europe. ISBN: 0-071-361-103. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Fieldwork, Lecture & Workshop | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Elisabeth Conrad (Co-ord.) Belinda Gambin Ricci Jean Marc Pace |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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