Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Workshop | 1 x 3 Hour Workshop |
| Lecture | 3 x 2 Hour Lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Research paper using template provided (4,500 words) | 90% |
| Semester Assessment | Presentation and Q&A (15 minutes) | 10% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Revised research paper using template provided (5,000 words) | 90% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Review in lieu of Presentation (500 words) | 10% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an ability to organize independent research inquiry in a rigorous manner.
2. Demonstrate referencing and bibliographic skills.
3. Demonstrate an ability to structure the results of independent research in the form of a template.
4. Analyze and evaluate the origins and development of a campaign and the lessons learned.
5. Structure an argument in a coherent and convincing manner displaying a wide range of accurate knowledge and understanding of key issues.
6. Present initial findings to a peer group and answer questions.
Brief description
This module provides students with the opportunity to study a military campaign of their own choosing in detail, leading to the production of a ‘Campaign Study Report’ based on a template provided. Campaigns studied can encompass the whole range of military history, limited only by feasibility. Topics may be drawn from any historical period and geographic region.
Content
Students will be supported by an introductory 3 hour workshop discussing how to research campaigns; a 30 minute individual tutorial with the module convenor, discussing choice of campaign and sources; and an assessed ‘pitch to peer’ workshop involving presentations to small groups. Students will also be guaranteed 3 additional 30 minute tutorial meetings to support them in the writing up of their Research Paper.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | There may be a limited opportunity to apply quantitative methods when assessing the outcome of campaigns, but this is not supported. |
| Communication | Students will learn how to present their ideas both verbally and in writing and how to how to present their arguments most effectively. They will learn the importance of information and clear communication and how to exploit these. They will know how to use the many sources of information available and how to use the most appropriate form of communication to best advantage. They will learn to be clear in their writing and speaking and to be direct about aims and objectives. They will learn to consider only that which is relevant to the topic, focus and objectives of their argument or discussion. The presentation of work should reflect effective expression of ideas and good use of language skills in order to ensure clarity, coherence and effective communication. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | The module aims to promote self-management but within a context in which support and assistance is available from the convenor and fellow students alike. Students will be expected to improve their own learning and performance by undertaking their own research and exercising their own initiative, including searching for sources and deciding (under guidance) the direction of their coursework and presentation. The need to meet coursework deadlines will focus students’ attention on the need to manage their time. |
| Information Technology | Students will be expected to submit their work electronically through the Blackboard VLE. Also, students will be encouraged to search for sources of information on the web. Students will also be expected to make use of the resources that will be available on the Blackboard VLE. The ‘pitch to peer’ exercise will require the students to use PowerPoint. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | This module is designed to hone and test skills of use to students in their working lives, particularly in speaking to small groups, listening, thinking and responding to the statement of others. Moreover, the written work includes writing clearly and concisely, which is a common task in the workplace. Students will be encouraged throughout to reflect on their performance and to consider lessons for future application. |
| Problem solving | Independent project work and problem solving will be the central goal of the module; the submission of an assessed report and preparation for the presentation will require that students develop independent research skills as well as problem solving skills. The ability of students to solve problems will be developed and assessed by asking them to: adopt differing points of view; organize data and estimate an answer to the problem; reason logically; construct theoretical models; consider similar cases; look for patterns; divide issues into smaller problems. |
| Research skills | Students will be required to undertake independent research for all elements of the assessed work. This will involve utilizing media and web sources, as well as more conventional academic texts. Students will in part be assessed on their ability to gather appropriate and interesting resources materials. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Students have the opportunity to develop, practice and test a wide range of subject specific skills that help them to understand, conceptualise and evaluate examples and ideas on the module. These subject specific skills include: Collect and understand a wide range of data relating to the module; Evaluate competing perspectives; Demonstrate subject specific research techniques; Apply a range of methodologies to complex ideas and contemporary political problems. |
| Team work | The ‘pitch to peer’ exercise will require students to work collaboratively to assist in the development of the research and findings. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5