Module HPS-4005:
MA Work Placement
Module Facts
Run by School of History, Law and Social Sciences
20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits
Semester 1
Organiser: Dr Hefin Gwilym
Overall aims and purpose
This module provides the opportunity for work-based learning, by means of placements with a range of agencies suitable for History, Philosophy or Social Sciences students. The aim of the module is to help to prepare students for future work-based contexts.
Students will identify and arrange their own placements. If the student has any difficulties staff will assist in this process. Students are allowed to undertake placements either locally to the university, or term time address. Students will undertake 100 hours at their chosen placement.
*If you are interested in this module, please contact the module convenor prior to choosing it as an option.
Such experiential and career-oriented learning is consistent with the university’s commitment to employability enhancement. The module complies with the University Code of Practice on Placement Learning (https://www.bangor.ac.uk/regulations/codes/code07.php.en).
Course content
Sessions may include, but are not limited to: - Work placement (times/days arranged with organisation) - Employability sessions - Assignment support - Drop in
Assessment Criteria
threshold
C- to C+ For the reflective report
- shows satisfactory ability to reflect on the work-based learning experience;
- provides a satisfactory commentary on the student’s own experiences of the placement.
- Demonstrates a basic awareness of the literature on employability.
For the presentation on the student’s work with the agency
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A satisfactory presentation on the student’s work with the agency
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A satisfactory description of the work placement
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A satisfactory evaluation of one aspect of the work undertaken during the placement.
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Uses little or no research related to the subject.
-
Satisfactory delivery, but one or two improvements were needed relating to delivery e.g speech patterns, eye contact, presentation slides, more research; preparation for the questions
-
Satisfactory presentation slides but one or two improvements needed e.g no more than 5 bullet points & text, mixture of text & picture, only Time or Ariel font, design is clear Satisfactory responses in discussion, but much more understanding of the subject area was needed
good
B- to B+
For the reflective report
- shows a good or very good ability to reflect on the work-based learning experience;
- provides a thorough commentary on the student’s own experiences of the placement.
- Demonstrates good or very good awareness of the literature on employability.
For the presentation on the student’s work with the agency
-
a good or very good presentation on the student’s work with the agency
-
a good/very good presentation that discusses the placement in an informed and perceptive way.
-
Good/very good description of the work placement
-
Good/very good evaluation of one aspect of the work undertaken during the placement
-
Uses some research related to the subject.
-
Overall, a good/very good delivery, but one or two improvements were needed relating to delivery e.g speech patterns, eye contact, presentation slides, more research; preparation for the questions
-
Good/very good presentation slides but one or two improvements needed e.g no more than 5 bullet points & text, mixture of text & picture, only Time or Ariel font, design is clear Good/very good responses in discussion but more preparation needed
excellent
A- to A*
For the reflective report – shows excellent ability to reflect on the work-based learning experience; provides an insightful and skilled commentary on the student’s own experiences of the placement. Demonstrates excellent awareness of the literature on employability. Provides clear recommendations for the employer for further placements
For the presentation on the student’s work with the agency – an excellent presentation that discusses the placement in an informed and perceptive way.
- An excellent description of the work placement
- An excellent outline of any relevant government policies relating to the organisation
- An excellent evaluation of two aspects of the work undertaken during the placement.
- Has an excellent understanding of research related to the subject, specifically the key people.
- Key recommendations for the organisation
- Enthusiastic and engaging delivery;
- Excellent presentation slides that complement the oral presentation e.g no more than 5 bullet points & text, a mixture of text & picture, only Time or Ariel font, design is clear Perceptive and interesting responses in discussion.
Learning outcomes
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Critically evaluate the organisation and its objectives.
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Provide an overview of the sector and critically engage with current scholarly debates on its role and effectiveness.
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Analyse the value of the placement to the student’s chosen field of study.
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Show an ability to link complex abstract debates with practical tasks.
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Critically evaluate skills developed in the placement.
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Critically reflect on the work placement and the student’s role as an employee within the organisation.
Assessment Methods
Type | Name | Description | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION | 20 min presentation with 5 mins for questions | 50.00 | |
REPORT | 3,000 word essay exploring current debates | 50.00 |
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Hours | ||
---|---|---|
Workshop | 5 workshops (up to 2 hours each), where students will reflect on their placement experience as well link it to current debates within the placement’s sector and to concepts they have discussed in their postgraduate studies overall. |
10 |
Private study | 90 | |
Work-based learning | Work at an institution, where the student is expected to carry out prescribed tasks, but also to develop initiative. |
100 |
Transferable skills
- Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
- Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
- Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
- Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
- Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
- Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
- Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sentistevely with others
- Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
- Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
- Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
- Caring - Showing concern for others; caring for children, people with disabilities and/or the elderly
- Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
- Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
- Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
- Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in
Subject specific skills
- Articulacy in identifying underlying issues in a wide variety of debates.
- Precision of thought and expression in the analysis and formulation of complex and controversial problems.
- being sensitive to the differences, or the "otherness" of the past, and the difficulty to using it as a guide to present or future action
- being sensitive to the role of perceptions of the past in contemporary cultures
- planning, designing, executing and documenting a programme of research, working independently
- marshalling and critically appraising other people's arguments, including listening and questioning
- demonstrating a positive and can-do approach to practical problems
- demonstrating an innovative approach, creativity, collaboration and risk taking
- presenting effective oral presentations for different kinds of audiences, including academic and/or audiences with little knowledge of history
- making effective and appropriate use of relevant information technology
- appreciating and being sensitive to different cultures and dealing with unfamiliar situations
- critical evaluation of one's own and others' opinions
- engaging with relevant aspects of current agendas such as global perspectives, public engagement, employability, enterprise, and creativity
Courses including this module
Compulsory in courses:
- V1AI: Diploma Welsh History year 1 (DIP/WH)
Optional in courses:
- V1AQ: Diploma History year 1 (DIP/HIST)
- V1AR: MA History year 1 (MA/HIST)
- V1AJ: MA Welsh History year 1 (MA/WH)