JOINT FACULTY TEACHING COMMITTEE FOR ARTS AND HUMANITIES
AND SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL SCIENCES
Tuesday 27 May 2014
MINUTES
Present:
Prof Jonathan Wolff
Dr Kristin Bakke
Prof Mary Fulbrook
Dr Chris Gerry
Dr Nick Grindle
Dr Arne Hofmann
Mr Jonathan Kwok
Prof Andy Leak
Dr Valerie Lechene
Prof Miriam Leonard
Dr Maria Loh
Dr Helen Matthews
Dr Isabelle Moreau
Ms Helen Murray
Prof Lucy O’Brien
Dr Sophie Page
Ms Jayne Parker
Prof Sara Randall
Dr Tsila Ratner
Dr Christine Reh
Dr Benet Salway
Dr Julian Thompson
Prof Claire Warwick
Dr Paul Walker
Dr Karen Wright
Dean, Arts and Humanities (in the Chair)
Europeans Social and Political Studies (ESPS)
Dean, Social and Historical Sciences
School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES)
Centre for Advancement of Learning and Teaching (CALT)
Joint Faculty Tutor
Undergraduate Student Representative (SHS)
Graduate Tutor, School of European Languages, Culture and Society
(SELCS)
Economics
Greek and Latin
History of Art
Deputy Faculty Tutor
Undergraduate Tutor, SELCS
Office of International Affairs
Philosophy
History
Slade
Anthropology
Hebrew and Jewish Studies
Political Science
Faculty Graduate Tutor, SHS
Geography
Faculty Graduate Tutor, AH
CALT
Archaeology
Prof Kevin MacDonald was in attendance for minute 51.
Apologies for absence were received from Dr Stephanie Bird (CMII), Dr Greg Dart (English), Mr
Andy Dawson (Information Studies), Ms Marieke Doelman (Postgraduate Student Representative,
SHS), Prof Peter John (Political Science) and Ms Sydney Vickars (Postgraduate Student
Representative, AH).
49. MINUTES
Approved
49.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2014 were approved as a correct record.
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50. MATTERS ARISING
MINUTE 38.5: MASTERS MERIT AWARD
Noted
50.1 It was noted that UCL Board of Examiners and Education Committee had agreed that the
criteria for the award of merit should be an average mark of 60 for the programme as a whole
and a minimum mark of 60 in the dissertation.
50.2 The final decision on implementation would be taken by Education Committee at its June
meeting, following a ‘cooling off period’ during which the implications of the decision for
institutional resources such as Portico would be considered.
MINUTE 42.2A: PORTICO
Reported
50.3 Dr Matthews reported that she had attended a series of ‘visioning’ workshops which
considered aspirations for student information systems. These had identified a number of
capability requirements, which would feed into the development of a new Student Information
Service strategy. The final meeting had been attended by the Vice Provost (Education) and the
Director of Information Systems.
50.4 It was reported that, arising from this project, a fit for purpose review of Portico and SITS
would be undertaken.
MINUTE 42.2C: YEAR ABROAD RESITS
Noted
50.5 The Committee noted that following the Education Committee decision that students on
the year abroad should take any reassessments of the previous year’s modules as late
assessment in the summer following the year abroad, the Faculty Office had liaised with
Departments regarding arrangements for any students affected.
MINUTE 42.2D: MARKING POLICY
Noted
50.6 It was reported that the draft Marking Policy had been approved in principle by the Joint
Faculty Board of Examiners, and would be put to Education Committee for final approval.
MINUTE 42.2E: REFERRED ASSESSMENT
Reported
50.7 It was reported that Education Committee had resolved to abolish referred assessment,
with the exception of the Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences (MAPS) which had been
granted a one year derogation.
50.8 Since this was considered a change to scheme of award, the change would need to be
phased in. Students admitted in 2014/15 would not be entitled to referred assessment, but
continuing students (other than finalists) would continue to be eligible.
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MINUTE 42.2F: EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES
Reported
50.9 Dr Hofmann provided an update on the ongoing discussions at Education Committee
regarding changes to the UCL extenuating circumstances policy.
MINUTE 42.2G: FIT-TO-STUDY POLICY
Noted
50.10The Committee noted that the fit-to-study policy was expected to receive final approval at
Education Committee in June.
MINUTE 42.2H: LECTURECAST POLICY
Noted
50.11 The Committee noted that the policy had been published in Part 3 of the Academic
Manual: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/academic-manual/part-3/lecturecast.
Matters for Discussion
51. PROGRAMME PROPOSAL
Considered
51.1 The Committee considered a proposal for a cross-faculty Masters programme in African
Studies.
Reported
51.2 Prof MacDonald briefed the Committee on the background and rationale for the proposed
Masters programme, drawing their attention to the business case and marketing report
submitted as appendices.
Discussion
51.3 The proposal was welcomed in principle as it was felt that it fitted well with UCL’s
international strategy and with the joint Faculty strategy to develop area centres. It was noted
that this proposal was the first of several initiatives.
51.4 However, some concerns were expressed about whether there would be sufficient Africarelated provision available and whether there would be sufficient demand in the light of
recruitment trends at Oxford and SOAS. It was noted that the programme would have Africancentric core modules, but that options would be discipline-specific, drawing on some African
material. It was noted that the programme would still be viable if only half the target student
numbers were recruited and that risk could be mitigated by means of a fixed term appointment.
51.5 It was suggested that consideration be given to offering he programme as either an MSc
or MA depending on pathway and options.
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Agreed
51.6 The Committee approved the programme in principle, subject to the submission of a full
proposal for consideration by JFTC in the autumn 2014/15.
52. UCL STRATEGY: RESEARCH BASED TEACHING
Reported
52.1 Dr Hofmann presented a background paper on the concept of ‘research-based’ education,
which would likely be central to UCL’s learning and teaching strategy in the next few years, for
general discussion.
Discussion
52.2 It was noted that there were a number of examples of best practice in research-based
education in the Faculties already
52.3 It was also noted that modularisation had tended to lead to a disconnection of the
curriculum, but that finals systems were not very flexible for interdisciplinary study.
52.4 There was overall support for research-based education, but it was felt that departments
and faculties should have discretion as to how it was incorporated into the curriculum.
Action
52.5 Departments were asked to have a discussion of research-based education at their next
Departmental Teaching Committee meeting and to provide a one-page summary of how they
could incorporate it within their programme structures.
52.6 Summaries were to be emailed to Christina Edwards by Friday 12 December 2014.
53. FACULTY TUTOR’S REPORT
Received
53.1 The Committee received an oral report from the Joint Faculty Tutor and Deputy Faculty
Tutor.
53.2A LEARNING AND TEACHING STRATEGY
Reported
53.2.1 The action and implementation plan of the Joint Faculty Teaching Strategy had been
updated and the updated implementation plan had been posted on the Joint Faculty intranet at
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ah-shsoffice/learning_teaching/learning_Teaching_strategies/faculty_lts.
Noted
53.2.2 The Committee noted that there would be opportunities for informal discussion about the
Learning and Teaching Strategy with any departments who were interested.
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53.2B MODULES AT MASTERS LEVEL
Reported
53.2.3 It was reported that the Education Committee had resolved that Masters modules would
not be assessed on a pass/fail basis unless they were 0 credit modules. Discussions were
currently underway with the Department of Philosophy, which was affected by this change in
policy.
Action
53.2.4 Any other Departments which were affected were requested to contact Dr Hofmann
(a.hofmann@ucl.ac.uk) or Dr Matthews (helen.matthews@ucl.ac.uk).
53.2C TWO YEAR MASTERS PROGRAMMES
Reported
53.2.5 Dr Hofmann reported that the possibility of developing two year Masters programmes
including professional activities and structured PGTA training was under preliminary
consideration.
Discussion
53.2.6 Information Studies had shown interest in developing a programme consisting of
teaching in year 1 and research based teaching in year 2; however it was felt that cost would be
an issue.
Action
53.2.7 Departments who were interested in developing such a programme were asked to
contact Dr Hofmann (a.hofmann@ucl.ac.uk) or Dr Matthews (helen.matthews@ucl.ac.uk).
53.2D INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BAROMETER (ISB)
Reported
53.2.8 It was reported that the Faculty Office had obtained a temporary licence to interrogate
data for the Autumn 2013 wave. However, the licence was only available for a limited time, and
sample sizes at individual department and programme level were very small. It had not
therefore been possible to produce individual departmental reports.
53.2E PLAGIARISM POLICY REFORM
Reported
53.2.9 It was reported that the Faculty Tutor would be working with Director of Student
Administration on a paper for reforming the plagiarism policy.
Action
53.2.10 Committee members were asked to provide their thoughts on current and future
plagiarism policy to Dr Hofmann by 13 June.
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53.2F REGULATIONS WORKING GROUP
Reported
53.2.11 It was reported that the Regulations Review Group (RRG) would be replaced by a new
working group. Dr Hofmann would be a member of the new working group, which would
undertake a full review of UCL Regulations.
53.2G PROVOST AND STUDENT CHOICE TEACHING AWARDS
Noted
53.2.12 The Committee noted the Provost’s and Student Choice Teaching Award winners
based in the Faculties:
Provost’s Teaching Awards:
Dr Matthew Skinner Anthropology
Dr Riitta-Liisa Valijarvi SEES
Dr Adam Smith History
[PGTA] Emily Lord-Kambitsch Greek and Latin
UCLU Student Choice Awards:
Outstanding Support for Teaching:
Stuart Laidlaw Institute of Archaeology
Marie Fournier SELCS
Outstanding Personal Support
Judy Medrington Institute of Archaeology
53.2H PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION REVIEW
Reported
53.2.13 It was reported that Academic Services had written to all departments reminding them
about the need to check Programme Specifications.
53.2.14 Committee members were reminded of the importance of keeping these up to date and
were reminded of the QAA Institutional Audit in 2015.
Action
53.2.15 Where no change was required, departments were advised to let Rob Traynor know,
giving a review date in the current academic session.
53.2I STUDENT ACADEMIC REPRESENTATIVES (StARs) UPDATE
Reported
53.2.16 It was reported that UCLU had introduced a formal election process for Faculty level
StARs. Current UG and PGR StARs would be invited to stand for election for 2014/15, and PGT
StARs would be elected early in the Academic Year.
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53.2J CURRICULAR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Reported
53.2.17 It was reported that a Curricular Development Project would be starting shortly. This
would involve moving the remaining paper-based programme and module management forms
(i.e. those dealing with programme amendments and module proposals and amendments) to an
online workflow within Portico and improving the existing programme initiation questionnaire
(PIQ) functionality. Dr Matthews would be a member of the user group.
53.2K BLACK, MINORITY AND ETHNIC (BME) STUDENT ATTAINMENT
Noted
53.2.18 It was noted UCLU, CALT and the Faculty of Brain Sciences had been involved in a
project to analyse student attainment statistics at UCL.
53.2.19 Early findings would be presented at the Education Committee on 19 June, along with
recommendations for immediate action and for follow-up work next year.
54. FACULTY GRADUATE TUTOR’S REPORT
Received
54.1 The Committee received an oral report from the Faculty Graduate Faculty Tutors.
54.2A POSTGRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANTS (PGTA) WORKING GROUP
Reported
54.2.1 Prof Warwick reported that the PGTA Working Group was undertaking a review of the
arrangements for the use of Post-Graduate Teaching Assistants (PGTAs) in the joint faculties.
54.2.2 It was reported that the review had highlighted variations and concerns in the following
areas:




the number of hours worked by PGTAs
the number of hours undergraduates were being taught by PGTAs
pay rates
impact on completion of PhDs
54.2.3 Prof Warwick thanked departments for the data they had supplied and advised that a
preliminary report would be circulated. Recommendations for best practice would also be made
based on the working group’s findings and discussions would take place with Human
Resources regarding pay calculation.
54.2B UCL DOCTORAL SCHOOL
Reported
54.2.4 It was reported that UCL’s new Doctoral School had been announced in the Week@UCL
on 1 May; however, changes would not be rolled out until 1 July.
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54.2.5 Funding Schemes for MA/MSc Students would not be part of the Doctoral School. The
Administration of these would therefore be passed over to the Joint Faculty Institute of
Graduate Studies (JFIGS).
54.2.6 It was further reported that responsibility for the Code of Practice for Masters Students
had been passed over to Student and Registry Services.
54.2C MA CREDIT HARMONISATION WORKING GROUP
Reported
54.2.7 Dr Salway reported that the MA Credit Harmonisation Group would meet in Term 1 of
the 2014/15 Academic Year.
55. REPORT ON DEPARTMENTAL TEACHING COMMITTEE (DTC) MINUTES
Received
55.1 The Committee received a report on Departmental Teaching Committee (DTC) Minutes.
Reported
55.2 It was reported that the review of DTC minutes was for quality assurance purposes. This
would be undertaken annually, to ensure that the Terms of Reference as set out in the
Academic Manual were being met.
Discussion
55.3 Concerns were raised and discussed in relation to the compliance checklist. Departments
were advised to remind minute takers to document that certain tasks (for example,
consideration of the Annual Monitoring report) had been done.
55.5 It was also noted that some of the tasks in the compliance checklist were completed at
differing times of the Academic Year by different departments and therefore may not yet have
been undertaken by DTCs.
Action
55.6 Departments that had not submitted DTC minutes for 2013/14 were requested to do so.
55.7 Departments were also advised to submit unapproved/draft DTC minutes as an interim
measure, so that an accurate record of minutes received could be kept by the Faculty.
56. CALT UPDATE
Reported
56.1 It was reported that the Arena One gateway sessions for PGTAs would be running again
during the next Academic Year. The training was open to all; however, preference would be
given to any student who would be undertaking teaching for the first time. Further information
would be available on the UCL Arena website in due course.
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56.2 It was further reported that a one year fractional secondment opportunity had arisen within
UCL Arena team during the 2014-2015 session. Interest was welcomed from staff or Teaching
Fellows.
56.3 Research Supervisor Forums were scheduled on 4 and 9 June. Graduate Tutors from Arts
and Humanities were welcomed to attend.
Noted
56.4 The Committee noted that the Arena Two course for new starters would be running from
October. Further details would be available on CALT’s events page.
Matters for Information
57. MODULE PROPOSALS APPROVED UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY
Noted
57.1 The Committee noted details of module amendments approved under delegated authority
since the last meeting.
57.2 A full list of module amendments and approvals would be circulated after the final deadline
had passed
58. ANY OTHER URGENT ITEMS OF BUSINESS
58A ECONOMICS CURRICULUM
58.1 It was noted that Dr Hugh Goodacre had circulated an e-mail to members of the
Committee. This did not form part of the committee papers. The Committee would consider a
report on the review of the Economics Curriculum in Autumn 2014.
Distribution: Joint Faculty Teaching Committee Members, Academic Services
CE
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