Module overview
The Liberal Arts module is an interdisciplinary, content-based module designed for International Foundation students taking Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Southampton. The aim is to introduce you to some of the techniques and academic skills required for undergraduate study, while building on the skills you will acquire in your other core modules; Academic English, Critical Thinking and Research Skills and Global Society. The Introduction to Liberal Arts module will examine the ways in which cultural phenomena, from art, literature, film and music, to technology and digital media influence how we see the world. You will be introduced to a range of creative genres and taught to ‘read’ a wide variety of written and visual ‘texts’ and cultural products in order to better understand how they reflect and influence contemporary human society.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- analyse and discuss a range of cultural products, orally and in written form
- evaluate the appropriateness and usefulness of sources
- reflect on and describe your own experience of cultural products
- present a rationale for an original piece of work
- extract and synthesise information from written, spoken and visual sources
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the different written genres of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
- the ways in which cultural phenomena help construct our reality
- current trends in contemporary global culture
- some of the specific academic skills required for undergraduate study in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
- the importance of history, politics and economics in the creation and dissemination of cultural products
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- prepare and deliver oral contributions
- work effectively in a team
- organise your study time effectively
- plan and organise your own learning schedule
- research and produce a project
Syllabus
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.
Learning and Teaching
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.
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Seminar | 48 |
Independent Study | 228 |
Lecture | 24 |
Total study time | 300 |
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
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.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Video | 10% |
Individual project | 30% |
Annotated bibliography | 15% |
Reflective piece | 10% |
Group presentation | 25% |
Critical commentary | 10% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Resubmit assessments | 100% |
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.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Resubmit assessments | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal