Introduction to Liberal Arts

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the ways in which cultural phenomena help construct our reality
• the different written genres of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• current trends in contemporary global culture
• the importance of history, politics and economics in the creation and dissemination of cultural products
• some of the specific academic skills required for undergraduate study in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• organise your study time effectively
• plan and organise your own learning schedule
• research and produce a project
• prepare and deliver oral contributions
• work effectively in a team

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• evaluate the appropriateness and usefulness of sources
• analyse and discuss a range of cultural products, orally and in written form
• present a rationale for an original piece of work
• reflect on and describe your own experience of cultural products
• extract and synthesise information from written, spoken and visual sources

The Liberal Arts syllabus is comprised of five themes:

• The Art of Communication
• The Language of Literature
• The Power of Performance
• Science and Culture
• Media and Society

Under these ‘umbrella’ terms, a range of texts and concepts will be introduced and explored in order to broaden your knowledge of the cultural phenomena which shape contemporary society. Seminars and workshops will give you the opportunity to discuss these ideas further and a variety of learning activities will help you to build your confidence in expressing your own views.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include

• One 1 hour lecture per week
• 2 hours of seminars/workshops per week

Learning activities include

• Attending lectures and seminar/workshops
• Contributing to discussion in lectures and seminar/workshops
• Engaging in seminar/workshop tasks
• Preparing the assessed work

‘Skills weeks’ will focus on specific techniques for academic study in your chosen field, such as close reading, analysing images, designing and conducting surveys. You will study two ‘set texts’ across the academic year which will be used as material for practising your close textual analysis and critical thinking skills. Set texts will vary but could include graphic novels, films, poetry or other literary forms, specifically chosen for their potential to open up debates about genre, style and content.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Resources. The module will draw on a range of teaching materials and resources, including audio and visual resources that are both challenging and accessible. Extensive use of the internet will be made and readings, Help-Sheets and audio/visual links as well as tasks and assignments will regularly be uploaded onto Blackboard to support you.

Assessment strategy

The module is assessed through coursework. At regular intervals you will be given a task to complete which will be worth a percentage of your final mark – see the table below. All the tasks are ‘summative’ but feedback will be given in the form of peer evaluation, self-reflection and tutor’s comments before you submit your task in order to help you produce your best work. In Semester Two, you will select one piece of work and develop it into an individual extended project. As you become more confident, the tasks will be weighted accordingly – semester one is worth 40% and semester two is worth 60% of your final mark.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal