Rationale
This module builds explicitly on the students’ theoretical, critical, practical and creative work on the Film degree by offering them the opportunity to undertake learning relating to a work placement. Students undertake work experience in a relevant organisation which may relate to film or video making or relevant film, video, media, arts, education or other contexts. They occupy the roles of trainee employee and research ethnographer simultaneously, before writing a critical, analytic and reflective paper which will address aspects of the organisation, the work experience and their own knowledge and skills development. Their work is supported by group sessions addressing the critical analysis of media and creative industries and knowledge, skill and learning development and by individual tutorial support. Successful completion of the module will rely on the identification of a professional in the workplace who will adopt the role of supervisor/mentor and provide suitable feedback at the end of the work placement. The successful linkage of theory and practice and application of skills of critical analysis and reflection to various aspects of the placement experience provide the module’s special challenge. The module is therefore an important link between the worlds of UCS, work and the future. It is an important stepping stone in the process of students considering their future professional and personal development as their undergraduate period of study draws to a close.
Indicative Content
The indicative content of the group sessions is as follows:
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Introduction to the module content, structure, assessment and teaching and learning modes, including the articulation between the group, subject specialist and student inputs
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The nuts and bolts of the placement experience, including: appropriate and available placements; approaching a workplace; terms of agreement between the university and the placement provider, including legal and health and safety issues, specified in the Humanities Work-Based Learning Handbook (based on the UCS Placement Policy)
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The benefits of the work experience to the student, the employer and the institution
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Work, the ‘professional’, professional practice and the ‘reflective practitioner’
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Undergraduate skills areas (subject knowledge and understanding, subject specific, cognitive/mental and graduate key/employability/transferable) and their deployment and development in this module
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How to undertake self-directed learning on the module, including how to gather relevant data and to critically analyse and reflect upon the experience and materials encountered and/or produced during the workplace experience
Assessment
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Research Paper, 4000 words (100%)