CDMF01: Challenges of Careers Work in Higher Education

Module Provider:

School of Continuing Education

Number of credits:

20 [10 ECTS credits]

Level:

M

Terms in which taught:

Module Convenor:

PT McCash

Pre-requisites:

Co-requisites:

Modules excluded:

Module version for:

2007/8

Aims:
To enable careers staff to gain an overview of the context in which H.E. careers work takes place. The module has four basic themes: the clarification and understanding of current issues; the identification and broadening of awareness; the identification of strategies; and the recognition and development of the skills necessary for participants to address the issues that will impact upon them.

Assessable learning outcomes:
1. Analysis: By the end of the module, students should be able to define issues facing H.E. institutions and recognize their bearing on the delivery of guidance services.
2. Theory: By the end of the module, students should refer to some of the theoretical perspectives underpinning careers work in H.E. and describe some of the models of delivery
3. Skills: By the end of the module students should be able to recognize the skills needed to respond to challenges and have started to develop those appropriate to their role.
4. Evaluation: By the end of the module, students should recognise the need for the evaluation of careers work and describe the techniques available.
5. Action Planning: By the end of the module, students will develop a personal training/action plan.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:
This module takes approximately nine months to complete. Students attend a five-day residential course. There are pre-course readings and assignments. Following the residential course, students complete the assessment.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
It is anticipated that this module will take 200 hours to complete including 30 hours of residential tuition. As part of an in-service qualification scheme, the residential course is an intensive learning experience making use of participants existing professional expertise. Pre-course tasks will involve elements of self-assessment, reading, research and analysis of current work. The residential course provides an experiential learning environment involving theoretical input and a range of exercises to encourage understanding and application of shared experiences in practice and structured reflection. Individual support is given to participants preparing to transfer learning back into the work place. The nature of the residential aides networking and mutual support and raises motivation and interest.

Contact hours:

Assessment:
Coursework: At the end of the course, each student will meet with a tutor to review learning and devise an action plan. The post-residential assignment constitutes 100% of the summative assessment. The assignment consists of: the learning review action plan, written report (2,500 words) and an essay (2,500 words).

Relative percentage of coursework: 100%

Penalties for late submission: Penalties for late submission of course work will be in accordance with University policy.

Examinations: Nil

Requirements for a pass: 50%.

Reassessment arrangements: Students will be asked to resubmit the coursework. The re-submission must take place within three months of the request date after discussion with the Programme Director.