| CODE | RFS1001 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Academic Skills in Rural Sciences | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Rural Sciences and Food Systems | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will introduce students to essential studying and examination skills which will help render their learning process more effective. Through lectures, students will be encouraged to explore and understand their own learning style, identifying their strengths and weaknesses. The study-unit will discuss various important student skills including planning, time management, information selection, problem-solving, note-taking and memory work. The effective use of communication skills will also be highlighted. Organisation of work through electronic means will help the student during his/her course work. 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. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims to help students develop essential skills to render their learning experience more effective. Specifically, the exercises and discussions in this unit seek 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. Amongst other things, the unit aims to develop student skills in planning work, managing time available, making effective use of lectures and note-taking, conducting independent research, selective and critical reading, evaluating the quality of academic sources and tackling exams and assignments. The unit also seeks to draw students' attention to common shortcomings in assignments and exams, and to emphasize the importance of good referencing practices, particularly with regard to any possible instances of plagiarism. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • Identify their individual learning style, and its strengths and weaknesses. • Identify different potential sources of academic material, both print and electronic. • Identify and use techniques for improving memory work. • 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: • Apply key principles of time management and work planning. • Make effective notes on the basis of lectures delivered. • Search for source material on academic search engines and subject directories. • Critically evaluate the quality of published/electronic material. • Read academic material selectively and critically. • Deliver effective presentations, based on an understanding of key skills involved. • Provide references for any external materials used. • Detect instances of possible plagiarism in his/her own work. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Readings: • Van Emden, J. & Becker, L., 2004. Presentation Skills for students. Palgrave Study Skills. 2nd Edition. ISBN: 1-4039-1346-3. • Greetham, B., 2008. How to write better essays. Palgrave Study Skills. 2nd Edition.ISBN - 978-0-230-22480-3. • Lecture Notes • Resources at the Division: Dissertations, Reports... Supplementary Readings: • Cottrell, S., 2008. The Study Skills Handbook. Palgrave Study Skills. 3rd Edition. ISBN 13: 978-0-230-57305-5. • Cottrell, S., 2005. Critical thinking skills. Palgrave Study Skills. 1st Edition. ISBN-13: 978-1403996855. • Cottrell, S., 2003. Skills for Success: the personal development planning handbook. Palgrave Study Skills. 2nd Edition. ISBN-13: 978-0230250185. • Pears, R. & Shields, G., 2010. Cite Them Right: the essential referencing guide. Palgrave Study Skills. 8th Edition. ISBN-13: 978-0230272316. • Godfrey, J., 2009. How to use your reading in your essays. Palgrave Study Skills. 1st Edition. ISBN 13: 978-0-230-20540-6. • Cottrell, S., 2007. The Exam Skills Handbook. Palgrave Study Skills. 1st Edition. ISBN 13: 978-0-230-50653-4. • Grix, J. & Watkins, G., 2010. Information Skills: Finding and using the right resources. Palgrave Study Skills. 1st Edition. ISBN-13: 978-0230222502. • Dolowitz, D. & Buckler, S. 2008. Researching Online. Palgrave Study Skills. 1st Edition. ISBN 13: 978-1-4039-9722-7. • Lewis, M. & Reinders, H., 2006. Study Skills for Speakers of English as a second language. Palgrave Study Skills. 1st Edition. ISBN 13: 978-1-4039-0026-5. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Co-requisite Study-unit: LIN1063 | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||||||
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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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