Module Information
Module Identifier
GGM3620
Module Title
Postgraduate Work Experience
Academic Year
2017/2018
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Pre-Requisite
Students should be registered on either the MA Regional and Environmental Policy or the MA Landscape and Territory
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Seminar | 2 x 1 Hour Seminars |
| Seminar | 3 x 1 Hour Seminars |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Reflective essay of 2,000 words on the students employability skills | 40% |
| Semester Assessment | Project report of 2,500 words | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | Journal | 10% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Resubmission of failed assessments only if the overall module mark is a fail. Failure to attend a work placement for the full period agreed will result in the failure of the module without the ability to re-sit, unless evidence of ill-health or other special circumstances are presented and accepted by the special circumstances committee. Periods of work placement missed through special circumstances should be re-arranged (with another employer if necessary), but the special circumstances committee may condone up to 3 days absence as a result of ill-health or other special circumstances if the student is in a position to complete the project report. | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
- Critically evaluate their own employability skills, identifying strengths and weaknesses.
- Demonstrate a capacity to competently undertake a programme of work in a workplace environment relevant to the degree scheme.
- Apply skills, knowledge and understanding gained through the scheme in a working environment.
- Discuss and analyse the relevance of concepts and approaches studied through the scheme to a specific problem, issue or project in the workplace.
Brief description
The module will provide students the opportunity to organise a period of approximately 105 hours (or 15 days) of work experience that is relevant to their degree scheme (this is the responsibility of the student, though guidance may be provided by DGES if required). Students are expected to review their employability skills at the beginning of the module (2000 words reflective essay representing 40% of the module mark). Students will also write a project report, in which they critically interrogate the way in which some of the concepts and theories that they have studied as part of their MA course have been used in a more applied context in the workplace (2500 words and 50% of the module mark). The students’ contribution to the period of work experience will also be assessed by an individual oral presentation (10% of the module mark), marked by members of Aberystwyth University staff.
Content
1.Three one-hour preparatory tutorials held during Semester 1, prior to the period of work experience. These tutorials will discuss practical arrangements for the work placement as well as reflective discussion of the student's employability to inform the reflective essay.
2. A work placement of 105 hours with an employer approved by the module coordinator. This will normally take the form of a full-time 3 week placement during January (5 days per week x 7 hours (excluding lunch-break)), but other models may be considered according to the normal work practices of the employer and the student's circumstances so long as the total number of hours is equivalent. Work undertaken during the placement will be recorded in a work-place journal and will form the basis of the project report.
3. Two one-hour tutorials to be held during or after the period of the work placement, which will discuss the work experience and lessons learned, as well as the relevance of the work undertaken to broader themes explored in the scheme, and the impact on the student's employability. These discussions will inform the completion of the project report.
Students will also be encouraged to attend AU and DGES Careers events and use the AU Careers Service.
2. A work placement of 105 hours with an employer approved by the module coordinator. This will normally take the form of a full-time 3 week placement during January (5 days per week x 7 hours (excluding lunch-break)), but other models may be considered according to the normal work practices of the employer and the student's circumstances so long as the total number of hours is equivalent. Work undertaken during the placement will be recorded in a work-place journal and will form the basis of the project report.
3. Two one-hour tutorials to be held during or after the period of the work placement, which will discuss the work experience and lessons learned, as well as the relevance of the work undertaken to broader themes explored in the scheme, and the impact on the student's employability. These discussions will inform the completion of the project report.
Students will also be encouraged to attend AU and DGES Careers events and use the AU Careers Service.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Numeracy skills are not developed explicitly in the module but may be developed during the period of work placement, depending on its nature. If applicable, this skill will be assessed by the employer. |
| Communication | Written skills will be developed through the reflective essay and the project report Oral communication will be developed in the seminars and the oral presentation. Depending on the nature of the work experience, all kinds of communication skills may be developed. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students will be expected to adapt their various skills to a work context. The skills and professionalism learned during the period of work experience will also, hopefully, be translated in better performances in the student's other academic modules |
| Information Technology | Students will use IT in order to arrange their period of work placement as well as in the preparation of the reflective essay , project report and oral presentation. Depending on the nature of the work experience, students may have the opportunity to develop their IT skills. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The aim of the module is to develop a student's employability skills and these will be assessed through the reflective essay. |
| Problem solving | Students (with the aid of staff) will have to arrange a period of suitable work placement. Depending on the nature of the work experience, students may be expected to solve policy problems. |
| Research skills | Research skills will be developed through the process of arranging the period of work placement and in the completion of the orojectreport. Depending on the nature of the work experience, students may have the opportunity to develop their research skills. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Depending on the nature of the work experience, students may have the opportunity to develop their geographic skills. |
| Team work | Team skills are not developed explicitly in the module but may be developed during the period of work placement, depending on its nature. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7