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THEO1961: Research Workshop in Theology and Religion

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Type Tied
Level 1
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Theology and Religion

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To introduce students to selected important research and other academic skills necessary for success in the Theology and Religion Department, including:
  • developing skills as independent researchers;
  • developing critical thinking and intellectual independence;
  • planning and structuring written academic projects;
  • developing relevant writing skills; and
  • learning how to find and properly use and cite relevant academic sources for research and avoid plagiarism.

Content

  • Beyond introducing students to the skills listed above, the module also has students produce research projects in two of the different subject areas taught within the Department. The content will vary depending on the strands of the module that are offered in a given year.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • The subject-specific knowledge students will develop in this module will depend on which of the strands they enroll in. Each strand will focus on a different research topic relevant to one of the different subject areas taught with the Theology and Religion Department, and each student will take two strands, one in each of the first two terms of the academic year. As a result, the subject-specific knowledge will vary depending on which strands are offered in a given year.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Skills in research, writing, and critical thinking relevant to subject areas taught within the Department.
  • Research skills in particular are emphasized, and students receive support in various settings to learn how to become independent researchers.

Key Skills:

  • Skills in the acquisition of information through reading and research, and in the structured presentation of information in written form.
  • Skills in presenting information through presentations.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Plenary meetings with the entire module will introduce students to academic skills involving research and writing that are broadly applicable for their academic programmes.
  • Strand meetings will introduce students to important aspects of subject-specific skills and prepare them to write specific academic assignments due over the course of the module.
  • Summative research essays and other writing assignments will develop subject-specific knowledge and understanding, along with skills in the acquisition of information through reading and research, and in the structured presentation of information and the making of reflective judgements in written form.
  • Individual meetings with teaching staff will allow for very specific verbal feedback on assignments accompanied by academic advice for improvement, and will help students prepare for their final summative assignment.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Plenary meetings3Weeks 1, 5 and 6 in Term 11 hour3Yes
Strand meetings136 in the first term and 7 in the second term1 hour13Yes
Individual meetings42 in each term30 mins2Yes
Research and preparation182 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: Writing assignmentComponent Weighting: 25%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Essay1,000 words100Yes
Component: Writing assignmentComponent Weighting: 25%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Essay1,000 words100Yes
Component: Research EssayComponent Weighting: 50%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Essay2,000 words100Yes

Formative Assessment

More information

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