This module is not currently running in 2021 to 2022.
Topics the module will cover include:
• Orientation to studying at university: including time management, learning styles and making sense of feedback.
• Cognitive development: writing essays and reports in higher education; referencing and plagiarism; how to construct a reasoned argument, and an introduction to critical and analytical thinking.
• Research skills: understanding what is meant by business and/or management research, including in brief its process from generating a hypothesis to data collection, sampling and analysis; how to develop a literature review, and the differences between quantitative and qualitative research and primary and secondary sources.
• The theories underlying the personal skill development needed to achieve success at university and in the workplace, including: effective communication skills; group and team working; problem solving; creative and innovative thinking, and presentation skills.
• Personal Development Planning for Employability: including career exploration, CV writing, and making sense of employers' skills requirements.
The module will be taught by lectures, employability workshops seminars and private study.
Total Contact Hours: 28
Private Study Hours: 122
Main assessment methods
Essay – maximum of 2000 words: (40%)
Employability Skills Report: (40%)
Completion of the KBS 'Careers Award for Business' on a pass/fail basis (10%)
Attendance and Completion of Academic Skills week activities (10%)
Reassessment methods
100% coursework
Cameron, S. (2009) The Business Student's Handbook: Skills for Study and Employment. 5th edn. London: FT Prentice Hall
Cottrell, S. (2013) The Study Skills Handbook. 4th edn. London: Palgrave Macmillan
Gallagher, K. (2013) Skills Development for Business and Management Students. 2nd edn. Oxford: OUP
Hepworth, A. (2011) Studying for your future: Successful study skills, time management and career development: A guide to personal development planning for university and college students. Bury: Universe of Learning Ltd www.Uolearn.com
Hind, D., and Moss, S. (2011) Employability Skills. Sunderland: Business Education Publishers
Lumley, M., and Wilkinson, J. (2014) Developing Employability for Business, Oxford: OUP
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., and Thornhill, A. (2015) Research Methods for Business Students. 7th edn. Harlow: FT Prentice Hall
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
The module is intended to equip students with the intellectual skills needed to complete academic assignments, as well as the personal and practical skills needed to cope with the varying demands of an academic course and the workplace. Practical skills will be developed by reflecting on theory to inform practice and lay the foundations for employability skills.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1 Demonstrate sound academic skills to complete assignments in accordance with the required academic conventions.
8.2 Evaluate, interpret and synthesise a range of information found through independent research.
8.3 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the theories underlying key employability skills.
8.4 Use theory to inform practice by analysing and reflecting on a range of key employability skills in the context of personal development and business management.
9. The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 Exercise personal responsibility.
9.2 Research a topic independently to extract and synthesise information from a range of academic and online sources.
9.3 Make sound judgements to distinguish between fact and opinion; relevant and irrelevant information, and between opposing views based upon conflicting evidence.
9.4 Evaluate and interpret information from a variety of sources to formulate and support a well-reasoned and structured line of argument.
9.5 Relate knowledge of theory to practice and experience to enhance employability
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