- Module Supervisor: Olimpia Burchiellaro
- Module Supervisor: Anne Steinhoff
- Module Supervisor: Steven Gormley
- Module Supervisor: Ann Ord
The world does not have disciplines; it has problems. What’s more, the most important problems we face – problems like climate change, migration, sustainable economic production, democratic governance, and so on – cannot be solved with the tools of any single discipline. Such problems require collaborative, creative, and interdisciplinary approaches, and yet Higher Education remains largely structured around narrow, disciplinary degrees. This module introduces students to an alternative interdisciplinary problem-solving approach. Students will learn how to approach complex problems by drawing on theories and methods from multiple disciplines, learning how to think flexibly and work with others to find creative solutions to real-world problems.
- Module Supervisor: Matthew Burch
- Module Supervisor: Fabian Freyenhagen
This first year half-module runs in the Spring term and provides an introduction to contemporary Latin America life, offering insights into major trends and processes that have shaped realities in the region from the second half of the 20th century up to the present day. Taught by academics who are experts in different fields, the module brings Latin America into focus through an interdisciplinary lens. As such, you will gain insights into a broad range of studies and concepts, drawn from economics, politics, art history, literature, as well as sociology, contemporary history, and human rights.
Each week’s lecture and seminar provides an opportunity to explore and discuss a specific core topic. These topics will span diverse issues, such as the impact of globalisation and neoliberalism; the struggle for democratisation; the shifting trends of migration; the development of tourism, conflicts over extraction and the environment; among others. As well as engaging with scholarly texts, we will also examine ways that the rich cultural production of Latin America and the Caribbean addresses the topics explored in the module, by engaging with films, documentaries, literature and artworks, including those held at Essex’s unique on campus resource, the Essex Collection of Art from Latin America (ESCALA), which is the largest collection outside Latin America.
You do not need to know anything about Latin America to do this half-module. All you need is an interest in learning more about recent trends and processes that have shaped contemporary Latin American life.
AIMS
The aims of this module are:
• To introduce students to some of the broad social, cultural, economic, and political processes and trends that have shaped contemporary Latin America;
• To introduce students to the ways that artists, writers and film-makers have engaged with these trends and processes;
• To foster understanding about the links between micro-and macro processes and the similarities and differences in the ways they are lived in different Latin American countries;
• To encourage students to think in an interdisciplinary way, drawing on core concepts from relevant disciplines.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this module the student should have:
* An interdisciplinary understanding of core trends and processes that have shaped contemporary Latin America, as well as knowledge of some recent works of art, literature, and film that cast light on the these;
* A preliminary grasp of comparative reasoning and of the links between macro- and micro-processes.
The module takes an interdisciplinary approach to key challenges in contemporary Latin America, offering insights into major trends and processes that have shaped the region from the second half of the 20th century up to the present day. You will gain perspectives and methodologies from a broad range of fields, including economics, politics, art history, as well as sociology, contemporary history, political ecology and human rights.
The module starts with a critical introduction to the region grounded the violence of its colonial past, quest for independence and the impacts on ethnic composition and sociocultural formations. Then, we will explore and discuss specific contemporary challenges facing the region, such as the impacts of globalisation and neoliberalism; the struggle for democratization and human rights memory; femicide and women's rights; precarious urbanization and social justice; environmental activism and the Rights of Nature movement, among others. As well as engaging with scholarly texts from different disciplines, we will also examine ways that cultural production from Latin America addresses the topics explored in the module. You will also have the opportunity to study artworks held at Essex's unique on campus resource, the Essex Collection of Art from Latin America (ESCALA). You do not need to speak Spanish or Portuguese to do this half-module. All you need is an interest in learning more about recent trends and processes shaping life in contemporary Latin America.
This module is designed to provide you with the practical skills required to navigate the increasingly digital world we live in, and to open up an important critical, interdisciplinary space; you will be encouraged to consider its legal, ethical, social, political, creative and economic implications.
Throughout the Autumn term, the Technology-Enhanced Learning Team (TELT) will lead a series of two-hour sessions in an IT Lab. Each session will provide training in a specific topic such as digital identities, e-safety, blogging, social media, multimedia production, and intelligent search strategies. Throughout the term, students will build a digital portfolio which will include a reflective report on their past, present and future use of technology.
MODULE OUTLINE
Doing research is fun, and the BA dissertation can be the most rewarding part of your degree. It’s an opportunity to pursue your own interests and investigate a topic that really inspires you. CS241 is designed to help you develop your dissertation ideas and give you the methodological tools for doing research in a systematic and imaginative way. By the end of the module you will have designed a research project, written a detailed proposal, and be ready to start collecting data. Even if you decide not to do a dissertation your CS241 research training will stand you in good stead for doing research in the future, whether in post-graduate study or future careers. CS241 is complemented by CS831 The Dissertation Seminar, which runs in the final year and provides support and advice on analysing your data and dissertation writing.
MODULE ORGANISATION
CS241 comprises nine two-hour sessions, a group tutorial, and a final workshop. Most sessions combine lecturing, research exercises, and discussion. You are expected to attend all sessions, do the set readings and assignments, and participate actively in seminar discussion. There is no exam for this module; it is assessed on coursework only. Overall you should devote about 6 hours a week to module preparation and assignments.
AIMS
The aims of this module are:
- To prepare ISC students for carrying out research for their final year BA dissertations.
- To introduce students to the principles of research design, and a range of methods and sources appropriate for interdisciplinary research.
- To provide students with a general orientation to the practical problems they are likely to encounter during their dissertation research.
- To provide students with transferable research skills relevant to future careers.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- By the end of this module the student should have:
- A grasp of the principles of research design and proposal writing
- Understanding of how to use qualitative research methods in a systematic way
- An understanding of what constitutes a feasible, ethical, BA research project
- A knowledge of relevant concepts and terms
- Module Supervisor: Jane Hindley
The United States has played an outsized role in global affairs even before the War of Independence. This module critically examines the role of the United States in international events in history and in contemporary politics; as well as analysing some of the impacts of global currents on the political and cultural life of the United States.
The module encompasses approaches from some different disciplines including history, politics, film studies, and literature, and will be of interest to students across our humanities and social science faculties, and beyond.
- Module Supervisor: Andrew Priest
CS300 offers final year students a unique opportunity to work together in an interdisciplinary team researching/developing/ implementing a real-world project for a local partner organisation. Partners might include a local charity, social enterprise, community or public or private sector organisations, or the University’s sustainability section. There will be at least one sustainability project each year. Other projects might involve anything from carrying out a piece of research or designing a public information campaign, to organising part of an exhibition or implementing a community initiative. This module enables you to use the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired during your degree and address a real-world challenge, while sharing and developing your creative, organisational and practical abilities. By doing so, it will prepare you for entering the graduate labour market or going on to post-graduate study.
Enrolling on this Module
In 2018-19 there will be four projects Places on CS300 will depend on the number of live projects available each year and may be restricted. So there is an application and selection process at the start of each academic year. All students who wish to enrol on this module are required to look at the project descriptions (remits) posted on the CS300 Moodle in late September. You will need to read the remits carefully and decide which of the three you would prefer to work on, before sending a CV and an application letter to the module co-ordinator. The letter should explain why you would like to enrol on the module, your preferred project, and what skills and experience you would bring to the group. You will then have an interview with the module co-ordinator. After the interviews, we will select the groups and inform you whether you have secured a place and on which project. If the module is over-subscribed, unsuccessful candidates will be contacted in time to enrol on an alternative module. We will be looking to form project groups with a balance of aptitudes, skills, experience and potential, so lack of experience is not an obstacle.
AIMS:
The aims of this module are:
- To provide students from different inter-/disciplinary backgrounds the opportunity to work collaboratively on a real-world project
- To introduce students to the challenges and satisfactions of community engagement and group project work
- To encourage students to experiment with peer-to-peer and experiential learning
- To enable students to enhance their professional, transferable and employability skills
- A good understanding of how to develop a project remit in a creative, coherent way and deliver a group project on time to partners
- Knowledge of the challenges involved in working in an interdisciplinary team and of effective ways of organising collaborative group work
- Enhanced professional skills, including the ability to work to a tight schedule, reach agreements, and manage client expectations
- Enhanced research, presentation and writing skills.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this module the student should have:
- Module Supervisor: Jane Hindley
Aims
1. To enable you to develop your application for a placement year.
2. To put the steps in place to go on a placement year in the subsequent academic year and for you to succeed in it.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this module you should be able to:
A. Be well-prepared to apply for placements;
B. Be well-equipped to make the most out of your placement.
MODULE OUTLINE
University studies gives students more independence and responsibility than school or college. So most students need to adapt their approach to learning and assessments and develop their communication and study skills in the first year. CS711 is designedto help you to do this and to make a success of your degree. This module introduces you to University life and enables you to develop the skills required for your BA studies. It also orients you to the work, volunteering, and other extra-curricular activities available in ISC, SPAH and the University, so that you can acquire additional skills and experience while you study. This module is compulsory for all first year students on ISC and Philosophy degrees. It is co-curricular and zero credits and runsalongside your credit bearing modules.
AIMS
The aims of this module are:
- To orient students to University studies and campus life
- To enable students to enhance their communication and study skills
- To encourage students to make the most of extra-curricular opportunities available on campus
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this module the student should have:
- Understand the main differences between school/college and degree studies and appreciate the opportunities and responsibilities of University education.
- Understand the differences between academic and informal writing, how to structure and correctly reference essays, redevelop voice and style as a writer.
- Understand how to develop their voice and style as a writer and respond to feedback on coursework essays.
- Take lecture and reading notes, engage effectively with lectures and classes, and use handouts and online resources to guide and support learning.
- Understand how to write a good CV and ways of acquiring additional skills by making the most of opportunities for work, volunteer and extra-curricular activities on campus.
- Module Supervisor: Matthew Burch
- Module Supervisor: Fabian Freyenhagen
- Module Supervisor: Steven Gormley
- Module Supervisor: Irene Mcmullin
MODULE OUTLINE
CS712 aims to enable second year ISC and Philosophy students to acquire the skills, knowledge and experiences for successfully entering the job market or going on to post-graduate studies and vocational training on graduating. It is designed to ensure that you make the most of relevant opportunities available on campus while you study. Engaging with these opportunities and gaining a rich mix of extra-curricular and work/volunteering experience may make a critical difference to whether you succeed in getting the graduate job you want or obtain funding for post-graduate studies. Alternatively, to fulfil your employability training requirement, you can take the 15 credit module, CS200 Social Entrepreneurs, Sustainability and Community Action, which runs in the autumn term.
CS712 is team-taught by tutors from ISC, Philosophy, and the Employability and Careers Centre. It comprises five compulsory 50 minute core sessions, three online moodle tutorials and requires students to attend four further employability/skills-related activities, events or workshops during the Autumn and Spring terms of their second year. This module is assessed on a 1,500 word reflective essay and a professional, up-to-date, well presented, two-page CV.
AIMS
The aims of this module are:
- To prepare students for successfully entering the job market or going on to post-graduate studies or vocational training on graduating.
- To encourage students to make the most of opportunities for enhancing their employability skills available on campus.
- To give students an understanding of the graduate job market and employers’ preferences and a grasp of making effective applications in their final year.
- By the end of this module the student should:
- Have a good understanding of their own interests, skills and competencies, and how these are relevant to future careers.
- Have engaged with a range of employability and skills related events and activities available on campus or elsewhere.
- Be prepared to make applications for placements, jobs, vocational training and/or post-graduate study in their final year.
- Module Supervisor: Steven Gormley