GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL AND POLITICAL SCIENCE
Postgraduate Forum 19.10.11
In attendance:
GSO: Fiona Mackay (Director), Andy Aitchison (Deputy Director), Ian McNeill (School Computing Officer), Alistair Hudson (GSO Reception), Gillian MacDonald (Programme Secretary), Cristyn King (Programme Secretary), Clare Nisbet (Programme Secretary), Matt Harrison (Senior Secretary)
PG REPS: Andressa Gadda (PhD Social Work), Ines Oliveira (PhD Politics and IR), Jon Shubert (PhD African Studies), Peter Chonka (PhD African Studies), Regina Sirendi (MSc STID), Viktoria Vass (MSc STID), Tsvetilena Bandakova (MSc South Asia and ID), Malissa Shaw (MSc Sociology), Robert Lacombe (MSc Social Anthropology), Carmella Golden-reyna (MSc Social Anthropology), Danyan Chen (MSc Policy Studies), Alan Manthorpe (MSc Policy Studies), Claire Sagstuen (MSc Nationalism Studies), Megan Tippetts (MSc Nationalism Studies), Bryce Cleborne (MSc International Political Theory), Sika Lishomwa (MSc International Political Theory), Alexander marks (MSc International and European Politics), Sarah McLaren (MSc International and European Politics), Alex Forster (MSc International Development), Margaret Sessa-Hawkins (MSc International Development), Julia Siart (MSc Health Inequalities and Public Policy), Natalie Williams (MSc Global health and Public Policy), Jackie Nguyen (MSc Global Health and Anthropology), Mariaveronica Barbuto (MSc Global Crime, Justice and Security), Rachel Feinstein (MSc Global Crime, Justice and Security), Saoirse Jacoby (MSc Global Crime, Justice and Security), Cathy Zeilfelder (MSc Global and International Sociology), Claudia Gemmel (MSc European Union Politics and Law), Gulnaz Isabekova (MSc Comparative Public Policy), Aiai Cao (MSc Comparative Public Policy), Danishtha Kuruvilla (MSc Childhood Studies), Chiarra Crenna (MSc Anthropology and Health and Illness), Garret Eriksen (MSc African Studies), Max Ralston (BMedSci).
SUMMARY OF MAIN ISSUES RAISED AND ACTIONS ARISING
1. Printing/ availability of core and required readings
· Core texts for some courses are not available on WEB CT
· Pressure points re: availability of readings (in some cases having to share a few off-prints)
· Strong view that should be reading packs (though also some dissent).
· Complaints at time and expense of students having to print out own copies of readings. The printing credit was viewed as inadequate to cover the costs of printing out key texts
· Whilst the general SPS policy is for core readings (other than ejournals) to be placed on WEB CT wherever possible, staff believe there are sometimes strong pedagogic reasons why students should locate and access readings other than via WEB CT; in some courses, there are no fixed core texts in line with the advanced level of study; in some courses, alternative arrangements are in place such as a recommended purchase; students are encouraged to consult and use sources online as part of wider sustainability policies
· Some students either did not know there was SPS printing credit (although this information was made available at Induction, in handbooks and on the web) or said it didn’t work. Lots of people didn’t realize that needed to use SPS printers to get SPS credit (although this information was made available at Induction, in handbooks and on the web).
· The School was introducing a new printing system with many improved features. It should be operational by the beginning of November.
· PG Reps would welcome a reminder message, which reiterated the policy on printing and instructions on how to use the printers etc.
· Some people had not yet found the SPS microlabs (despite Induction tours, location details in handbooks and on-line, and help available from GSO Reception)
Actions: Graduate School will increase PGT printing credit to 500 pages per semester. An email from the GS Director and Computing Officer will be circulated once the new system is in place a) instructions re printers and printing and b) news of increase; Academic staff will be encouraged to place core readings, where possible, on WEB CT; GS Director will raise issue of WEB CT: tablet/kindle compatibility with Head of University IS
2. Assessment and Feedback
· Anxiety was reported amongst the student body about what’s expected re assessment
· The Induction week Writing for MSc course was reported as being at too basic a level
· Student Reps felt turnaround time between first and second assignments (although reasonable) doesn’t leave enough time to incorporate feedback into later assignments. Anxiety could be assuaged through early and more explicit guidance on assessment expectations.
· It was reported that some courses are not offering practice essays or detailed guidance about essay writing
· Much good practice was highlighted, eg detailed guidance, examples of “good essays”, provision of generic feedback to elaborate marking descriptors, student marking exercises etc
· Director emphasized importance of “mixed economy” of assessment; and reiterated School policy that Semester 1 courses should offer more than one piece of assessment or the opportunity for practice essays.
Actions: a) proposal will be made to PG Committee about the provision of generic feedback (as per Andy Aitchison example); b) GSO to circulate note to academic staff encouraging them to provide more information on how papers are marked and graded and reiterating policy re: practice essays and assessment; and c) Issue to be taken forward by innovative teaching and learning group.
3. Class sizes/ Structure of teaching
· In the context of growth in PGT numbers in 2011-12, some concerns were expressed about seminar /class sizes – ranging from unhappiness at large lectures (AID, IR/IEP) but also complaints re: having lectures as part of the 1hour 50 mins; and complaints about tutorial/seminar group sizes.
· Discussion of the merits/demerits of not getting graded for attendance (!) and student presentations
· Concerns about quality of some student presentations and their contribution to learning
· Complaints about quality of student discussion in some seminars
· Complaints were made about some individual courses
· Director emphasized that these issues were very much on the agenda with academic staff also and there were several innovations in the format and delivery of courses involving large numbers of students ( for example, blended formats, video capture of lectures, master classes, plenary + break out etc). It was not practicable to have a rigid cap on class sizes. A mixed economy of teaching and learning methods was encouraged in the School to maximize benefit to a diversity of students with different learning styles.
· Director also pointed out the transferable skills developed through different sorts of learning activities
· Discussion of whether there is enough information at pre enrolment stage about methods and format of teaching and assessment (nb programe handbooks were online but give little detail of courses) Could DRPS be expanded to provide more detailed information?
Action: Complaints about specific courses have been relayed to programme Directors, Course Convenors and Heads of relevant Subject and will be dealt with directly; Director will feedback student concerns into ongoing programme and course review processes, and high level discussions about course delivery. GS Administrator will investigate capacity for DRPS to provide more detailed assessment and course delivery information
4. Student-led journal
· Interest was expressed in setting up a PG student-led journal. Discussion of different formats, missions and audiences, and also issues of sustainability.
· Director advised that funds are available to support student-led initiatives
Action: Interested parties will meet to discuss and outline a proposal for submission to Graduate School Director
Dr Fiona Mackay
Director Graduate School
October 24, 2011