Course Code : LAW 131
Course Title : INTRODUCTION TO ACADEMIC STUDY: WRITTEN ASSESSMENTS
Weekly Teaching Hour: 3-hours lecture per week, 1 (1-hour) tutorial every week
Who may enrol : Optional for 1 Year (Freshman) LLB. Students
Prerequisites : N/A
Lecturer : To be announced on August 2020
Description : This course aims to enable the student to: Improve academic reading, note taking and writing skills in order to build confidence in relation to written assessments.
COURSE CONTENT • An introduction to the different forms of written assessments in Higher Education. Simple reflective learning exercises to focus on confidence building for written work. • Reading: looking at law textbooks, cases, journal articles, websites and newspapers. Learning to summarise and précis written sources. • Note making: exposing the student to a broader range of methods. Use and completion of template records of source. • introduction to the library and exercises. Using the library computer catalogues, the help desk and ordering books. • Essay writing 1: analysing the question, understanding directive words, using mind maps to stimulate ideas and writing a plan using a provided template. • Practice session: to consolidate and put into practice learning from weeks 1-6. Students will be given an essay title and some short related texts to read. Students will mind map initial ideas, summarise texts using records of sources provide in week 4 and then prepare a plan using template provided in week 6. • Formative essay writing session: using the plans and records prepared the week before students will write a short one page A4 essay (400 words) with tutor support and supervision. • Feedback on formative essays: students will be given generic feedback plus individual written comments on their essays. The second half of the session will continue with Essay writing 2: developing introductions and conclusions. • Essay writing 3: how to present an argument. Students will be given a topic for oral debate. Written completion of argument plan template. • Essay writing 4: academic presentation including referencing, the bibliography and word count. • Review of plans for summative assessment: one to one interviews with students.
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES On successful completion of this course a student will be able to: 1. Demonstrate the ability to analyse an essay question and understand the key directive language. 2. Provide evidence of the ability to select and read from different written academic sources and reference these in an essay. 3. Demonstrate the ability to take notes and summarise written sources 4. Provide evidence of essay planning skills 5. Provide evidence of the ability to develop an argument within an essay. 6. Demonstrate good written English with appropriate spelling and grammar 7. Demonstrate the overall ability to write an essay to an improved standard appropriate to HE
TEACHING METHODS Class contact is in the form of on campus workshops combining activities which are both teacher and / or student led. Activities will include: • Discussions, prescribed guided and self-selected reading and reflection on teaching and learning, materials provided. • Introduction to and practise of all core aspects of essay preparation and writing using individual and group exercises. • Student presentation of work during the timetables sessions to the group both orally and in written format thus developing communication skills. • Development of research skills using IT based sources and the ability to present an oral argument through formal debate. In accordance with the university’s equality and diversity policy, reasonable adjustments will be made for students with learning difficulty.
Recommended Textbook (s) and Supplementary Books :
- Reading lists and other materials will be provided for students registered on the course via online by lecturer.
Course Assessment:
Looking at marking criteria, grades and feedback. Examples of previous student work and,
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Class Participation 10%,
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Mid-term Examination 30%,
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Assignments 10%,
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Final Examination 50%,
Attendance 95 % compulsory.