UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Programme Specification
University of Kent Certificate in Humanities & Social Sciences1. Awarding Institution/Body / University of Kent (UoK)
2. Teaching Institution / Chaucer College Canterbury (CCC) and
UoK
3. Teaching Site / Canterbury
4. Programme accredited by: / n/a
5. Final Award / Certificate
6. Programme / University of Kent Certificate in the Humanities and Social Sciences
7. UCAS code (or other code) / n/a
8. Relevant QAA subject benchmarking group/s / n/a
9. Date of production/revision / June 2006
10. Applicable cohort/s / 2006-7
1. Educational Aims of the Programme
The programme aims to:
1. Prepare Japanese students for the academic and linguistic demands of Stage 11 at a British University by integrating English language and study skills support in a balanced programme of lectures and tutorials in selected subjects in the humanities, political science and social sciences.
2. Give the students a transitional learning experience involving study at both the UoK campus and the CCC campus. The modular programme will consist of a combination of UoK modules and modules developed by CCC. The UoK modules will involve attendance at lectures at the UoK campus with seminar and tutorial support being held at the CCC campus. Lectures (and supporting seminars and tutorials) for CCC modules will be held at the CCC campus, and will be open to UoK students.
3. The programme will consist of four 15 credit UoK modules (Dept. of Politics and International Relations) one 30 credit module offered by SSPSSR and two 15 credit CCC modules.
4. The aim of the programme is to enable students to acquire a sound knowledge of the concepts, approaches and methods in a variety of subject areas in the humanities and social sciences, and learn to relate this knowledge to questions of public concern
5. Produce a mature awareness and tolerance of cultural diversity in the world, as well as an understanding of Japan’s place in the contemporary world.
12. Programme Outcomes
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas. The programme outcomes have references to the subject benchmarking statement for Politics and International Relations
Knowledge and Understanding / Teaching/learning and assessment
A. Knowledge and understanding of: /
Methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated
1. Key facts, concepts, approaches, methods, and subject specific terminology in the humanities and social sciences. /Teaching/learning
Lectures and seminars (1 hour each p.w.) ; subject tutorials (half an hour p.w.) backed up by English language support tutorials (1 hour p.w.) and IELTS classes (4 hours per week)Assessment
Various coursework assignments depending on the module, including some or all of the following: group presentations, diaries,book/film reviews,essays,analyses.Summative evaluation (per subject): One 2- hour examination per subject at the end of the programme.
Skills and Other Attributes
B. Intellectual skills:
Listening skills
1. Identify and note down the main points in a lecture. Distinguish these from supporting details, and from unimportant asides /Teaching/learning
Lectures ; subject and English/study skills courses and tutorials; IELTS preparation
AssessmentCoursework assignments and final examinations; IELTS
Reading skills
1. Efficient reading of texts: skim for gist, scan for information, distinguish main ideas from supporting details, and these from information that is not relevant to the task set.2. Identify the author’s arguments and distinguish them from and compare them with the arguments of others.
3. Search efficiently in a number of sources for information that is relevant to the tasks set, and record this information in note-form so that it can be retrieved easily later.
4. Synthesise, paraphrase and summarise this information for learning purposes and in preparation for essay assignments
Writing skills
5. Interpret essay questions.6. Communicate knowledge in a format, logical structure and discourse appropriate to the subject.
7. Cite sources and write bibliographies in an appropriate format.
Oral skills
8. Discuss issues and argue a point of view while observing the conventions and etiquette of academic discussion and debate9. Adapt and develop ideas in the light of
new or contradictory information or opinions
10. Make an effective oral presentation, using appropriate linguistic and para-linguistic techniques, and audio-visual aids.
C. Subject-specific skills:
11. Master the academic conventions and methodologies of each subject /
Teaching/learning
Coursework assignments; seminars; oral presentations; English language/study skills course (EUS) and tutorialsAssessment
Coursework assignments and final examinationsD. Transferable skills:
12. Integrate new ideas with existing knowledge to create a new synthesis /
Teaching/learning
Coursework assignments; seminar presentations; seminar discussions; English language/study skills course (EUS) and tutorials; computer lessons; library orientation sessionsAssessment
Coursework assignments and final examinations13. Think critically: classify and evaluate ideas. Distinguish facts from ideas and opinions
14. Use a library effectively.
15. Use basic computer programmes (word processing; internet searches, email)
16. Work and learn independently of the teacher/lecturer: Set own study ends and means. Develop confidence in expressing personal ideas and defending them.
17. Manage time, prioritise workloads and recognise and manage personal emotions and stress.
18. Evaluate his/her performance and take appropriate action to remedy any shortfalls
13. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards
The UoK Certificate programme has been amended in line with recommendations made by the Periodic Review Committee in their report dated March 2002. The main change being made to the programme is that it is to be modularised and that most of the modules taken by the students will be UoK modules offered by SSPSSR, and the Department of Politics and International Relations. CCC students will attend lectures for these modules at UoK. Follow-up seminars and tutorials will be held at CCC, as before. However, two modules have been developed by CCC, and all the teaching for these will be at CCC. Just as CCC students will attend lectures at UoK, so UoK students who are given the option to do the CCC modules by their Faculty will be welcome to attend the lectures at CCC.
The weekly timetable will normally consist of a one hour lecture, a one hour seminar. Each student will also have a one-hour language/study skills tutorial per week, a two hour per week English language and study skills course (‘English for University Studies’), and two hours of IELTS-related study. In-house subject tutorials are available if needed.
Successfully completing all the required modules and gaining 120 credits will entitle the student to the award of the University of Kent Certificate in the Humanities and Social Sciences. A student with this Certificate may then continue to study for a further two years (Stage II) at UoK or other university to achieve a degree, subject to gaining sufficient grades in IELTS. They are normally expected to achieve a minimum of 6.5 overall (with 6.0 in reading and 6.0 in writing) in the IELTS test of English.
Assessment
Assessments, including for work done in connection with the UoK modules, will be conducted by CCC. Assessment requirements will be based on UoK practice: i.e. through (i) coursework (see 12. 1. above for examples) (ii) a two or three-hour examination. The weighting between coursework and examinations will vary depending on the module. To be awarded the UoK Certificate Students must pass all modules with a minimum of 40% average marks in each
A Board of Examiners will meet at the end of the academic year to agree assessments of students based on coursework and examination results. No student may repeat a course.
13. Programme Structures and Requirements, Levels, Modules, Credits and Awards
Code / Title / Level / Credits / Term(s)
Modules
PO315 / Introduction to Government / Stage 1 / 15 / AutumnPO311 / Politics and Popular Culture in Modern Japan / Stage 1 / 15 / Spring
PO305 / International History and International Relations / Stage 1 / 15 / Autumn
SO300 / Sociology / Stage 1 / 30 / Autumn/Spring
PO310 / Introduction to International Politics / Stage 1 / 15 / Spring
CCC / Contemporary East Asia / Stage 1 / 15 / Autumn
CCC / East Meets West: Contemporary Debates in the Media of Britain and Japan / Stage 1 / 15 / Spring
14. Support for Students and Their Learning
· Formal pre-course meeting
· Student/lecturer ratio (at CCC): 6:1
· Programme co-ordinator/student adviser
· One hour seminars (an hour per week)
· In-house subject tutorials available as and when the students request them.
· One-to-one language and study skills tutorials (one hour per week)
· Handbook
· Templeman Library (N.B. CCC pays subscriptions for CCC students to use the Templeman library)
· Chaucer College Library
- access to the Internet, and Templeman library catalogues
- a CD-ROM facility, and a printer
- over 8000 books (including some not available at the Templeman library)
- past examination papers and course outlines.
- cassettes and videos
- a photocopier for student and staff use
- subscriptions to 35 journals; 7 newspapers (English and Japanese)
- a Special Collection of books connected with Japanese Studies
N.B. Chaucer College will ensure that all the resources required by the revised programme will be purchased and made available to the students. Essential reading for each module will be purchased as soon as the requirements of the modules are known and made available to the students from the beginning of the next academic year. These resources will be available to UoK registered students doing CCC modules.
· Computer Facilities at Chaucer College
The College network has 16 PCs running Windows XP Professional for students to use in class and for private study. The network offers Microsoft Office 2003 Professional as the main software applications package: this includes Word, Excel, Outlook, Access and Powerpoint. Also available are several CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) programmes.
Each student at the College has training in using the computer system and software and has their own Chaucer login. Students have access to the internet from their study bedrooms. Access to the UoK’s WebCT and WARD servers has been negotiated.
· Study Centre at Chaucer College
Resources available for language learning include:
-VCR
-audio-cassette players
-audio-cassettes and worksheets
-Grammar and vocabulary books
-Dictionaries and thesauruses
15. Entry Profile
Entry Route:-
· The Chaucer College Foundation Course
NB This is the only entry route to the UoK Certificate programme / The course is accepted by the University of Kent as providing suitable preparation for entry to the UoK Certificate Course.
In order to pass the Foundation Course and gain entry to the UoK Certificate programme, students must get
either:
(a)a final mark of 40 or more for each of the four assessed courses (i.e three subject courses plus ‘English for University Studies (EUS)’)
or
(b)a final mark of 40 or more in three out of the four courses (i.e.one fail is permitted – but not in EUS*) plus an aggregate mark of at least 168
*Students must get a final mark of 40% or more in EUS . A mark out of 100 is given for each of the three subject papers, and an average is taken to give the final mark.
Students achieving marks over 60 are awarded MERIT; those over 70, DISTINCTION.
What does this programme have to offer?
· A very generous student/staff (max. 1:10) ratio for seminars, and one-to-one tutorials in each module as well as for English language and study skills tuition.
· A protected academic and social environment which aims to help students adjust to living and studying in Britain
· The language and study skills required to perform successfully on an undergraduate course at a British university.
· An essential introduction to the concepts, facts, methodologies and conventions of subjects that will prepare the students for selected modules at Stage 11 of their chosen undergraduate course.
Personal Profile
· A desire to do an undergraduate course in Britain
· A willingness to work hard
· An open and enquiring mind
· An ability and willingness to adapt to a new environment and culture
· A desire to improve their academic and social English
16. Methods for evaluating and enhancing the quality and standards of teaching and learning
Mechanisms for review and evaluation of teaching, learning, assessment, the curriculum and outcome standards
· Student evaluations through informal discussion and module and programme questionnaires
· Staff development meeting early in the first term.
· Monitoring of teaching performance in the classroom
· Mock examinations to provide feed-back to staff and students on progress.
· Use of moderators for examinations and essays
· Appointment of convenors to give guidance to teaching staff
· External examiners appointed by UoK monitor assessment standards
· Final examination board meeting at the end of the year.
Committees with responsibility for monitoring and evaluating quality and standards
· Board of Studies
· Student progress sub-committee
· Vice-Chancellor and UoK Certificate Co-ordinator meet weekly to discuss all aspects of the course and student welfare.
Mechanisms for gaining student feedback on the quality of teaching and their learning experience
· A staff/student liaison committee which will include one student representative. This committee, which will report to the Board of Studies, will meet once a term.
· Students will complete a module questionnaire at the end of each module taken. A summary of the responses will be offered to the module convenors.
· Students will complete a programme questionnaire at the end of the academic year.
· The Board of Studies will decide on any action to be taken in response to the student evaluations, and the students will be informed of any such action through the staff/student liaison committee.
· Students and staff have access to the UoK Co-ordinator at any time to discuss matters that are affecting their respective performances.
Staff development priorities include:
· Raising awareness of the students’ learning behaviour and expectations, and the cultural differences that may hinder the development of an effective learning/teaching environment.