Taught modules will require some preparatory reading and weekly attendance over two terms. Formal classroom contact will normally be one two-hour session per week, per module, and will take the form of a workshop and may require attendance at the university for up to three days a week. The term ‘workshop’ is used rather than lecture or seminar to indicate that the session will be used flexibly by the tutor to include student presentations, small group exercises, screening of film clips, interactive short lectures, plenary discussion or a formal lecture/seminar split.
These sessions may be supported by individual or small group tutorials.
The workshop structure places a clear emphasis on student participation and contribution, and you are expected to undertake extensive preparation for each session – usually taking the form of required reading and secondary research.
As well as the usual essays, you will be required to submit work in the form of lesson plans and rationales, microteaching to peers, presentations as well as leading seminar discussions.
The dissertation (15,000 words) depends much more on one-to-one tutorial contact. Here the emphasis is placed on independent study, and the tutor acts as facilitator to guide and monitor your progress.