Postgraduate Module Descriptor

ARAM112B: Independent Reading Course - Sem 2

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The primary aim of this module is to help you develop research skills that allow you to investigate topics and readings that may be of use in constructing a viable dissertation and to develop key disciplinary skills that may contribute to the wider MA programme. This module may not be used for direct research on individual MA dissertation topics; however, it may be used to explore topics of wider interest for a dissertation. Subject to the availability of a qualified teacher (to be arranged through the course convenor), this module is intended to allow you (individually or in very small groups) to pursue guided readings in areas of individual faculty specialisation where a formal course is not currently offered. These areas would normally include, among others, areas (e.g., readings in Persian, Arabic, or a specialised historical or regional field) where MA students are entering the programme with a level of competency equal to or beyond that covered in the introductory course offerings. Both Islamic and Middle East Studies (and available Institute faculty interests and specialisations) cover many fields and regions beyond those listed in the formal curriculum, and this course is intended to allow interested MA students to pursue those studies with the appropriate staff.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the particular themes, theories, and approaches examined in the tutorial. 2. Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the readings, theories and approaches investigated in the tutorial using linguistic skills to read texts in Middle Eastern languages
Discipline-Specific Skills	3. Demonstrate analytically how to contextualize the readings, theories and approaches within the wider field of Middle East and Islamic Studies 4. Undertake research effectively, construct a bibliography and ground one's research within the field of Middle East and Islamic Studies
Personal and Key Skills	5. Demonstrate understanding and analysis of research undertaken in oral and written forms 6. Demonstrate the absorption, critical analysis of readings and approaches undertaken

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Oral presentation of /reactions to reading, during group/workshop	15 Minutes	1-2: 5-6	Oral

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay	100	4,000 words	1-6	Oral and written
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment

Essay	Essay (4,000 words)	1-6	August/September re-assessment period