ENG-30088 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

No

Barred Combinations

No

Description for 2023/24

This module is designed to give students in their final year of studying a Humanities subject the opportunity to contribute to the world beyond the university, in any workplace where the research, analytical, and communication skills developed as part of a Humanities degree can be used. The chosen workplace may be, for example, a local museum, theatre, charity, library, school or education provider, marketing company, PR firm, local newspaper, local radio, or another suitable opportunity identified by the student and approved by the module leader. While on the placement, students will produce a portfolio that they can draw on in future applications and interviews, reflecting on and giving evidence of the activities/outputs completed at their chosen workplace. These may include, for example, researching and producing materials advertising or supporting current or proposed exhibits or performances, researching and producing written or audio pieces, and/or planning small-group educational activities on Humanities-related topics. Advice will be given on identifying and contacting placements and composing a CV in semester 1, and support will be provided throughout the 75-hour placement, which will usually take place in semester 2. Through this module students reaching the end of their degree studies will receive crucial first-hand experience of applying for a position and working in an environment where they can utilise the skills they have refined over the last 3-4 years. As a result, students will end their degrees with cutting edge knowledge about the state of the sectors they wish to enter and up-to-date experience which will provide them with an effective career launchpad.
Students should note that this is a year-long (i.e. Semesters 1-2) 15 credit module, but where the bulk of the work (including most of the assessment) is undertaken in semester 2. Students should therefore take care to choose this module as if it is a semester 2 module. This arrangement also ensures that, in the unlikely event of failing to find a satisfactory placement by January, students will be able to withdraw from ENG-30088 and opt in to another 15-credit module by way of replacement for the second semester.

This module will provide further opportunities for Humanities students to engage with employers at the same time as they are entering the jobs marketplace. The module will:
- Further enhance the career knowledge and employability of students studying Humanities subjects;
- Support students in effectively researching and applying for employment roles, just at the point where they are thinking about their steps after graduation;
- Provide students with first-hand experience of the day-to-day operations of a relevant working environment, including developing their ability to work co-operatively and productively with others;
- Encourage students to apply and reflect on the range of degree-relevant skills they have developed through the course of their degree in a broader work context;
- Develop students¿ capacity to construct and carry through independent tasks/projects, particularly their ability to apply their research skills to solving problems in new environments;
- Increase students¿ knowledge of and familiarity with the Careers and Employability service.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Reflect upon and articulate their subject-specific and transferable skills developed through their education (and additional experiences) in order to be effective in securing work experience, employment, or further study: 1,2,3
Understand the variety of ways in which skills developed during the study of Humanities subjects can be deployed in non-academic contexts: 1,2,3
Understand the aims and priorities, and possible limitations, of an external organisation - and the sector in which it sits - and critically reflect on designing and completing activities/projects/materials that support these: 1,2,3
Utilise relevant contextual and/or theoretical materials to critically reflect on placement challenges and opportunities: 1,2
Articulate their placement experiences effectively and reflect on their enhanced skills set in front of an audience, utilising visual aids: 2

Study hours

Active Learning 25 hours:
Semester 1: 7 x 2hr workshops; 6 x 1hr seminars = 20hrs
Semester 2: 5 x 1hr workshops
75 hours of placement = 80hrs
Independent Study 50 hours:
Applying for placement (including assessment 1): 20 hours
Preparation for Presentation (Assessment 2): 10 hours
Preparation for Portfolio (Assessment 3): 20 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment