THE SENATE
PATHWAY APPROVAL REPORT
(Core and/or Franchised Provision)
An Confirmed report of the event held on 26th May 2009 to consider
the approval of the following pathways:
BA (Hons) History (Single Subject)
BA (Hons) History with Another Subject
Faculty of Arts Law and Social Sciences
Delivery of Pathways at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge
Campus, University Centre Kings Lynn, Huntingdonshire Regional
College,
University
Centre
Peterborough,
International
Correspondence Schools, Glasgow.
Quality Assurance Division
SECTION A – OUTCOME SUMMARY
1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1
The purpose of the event was to consider the re-approval of BA (Hons) History ( Single
Subject ) and BA (Hons) History and Another Subject, brought about by the addition of four
new modules to the pathway.
1.2
The pathway will be located in the Department of Humanities in the Faculty of Arts Law
and Social Sciences
1.
CONCLUSIONS
2.1
The Panel recommends to the Senate the approval and franchise of the following pathways


BA (Hons) History (Single Subject)
BA (Hons) History with Another Subject
Approval, once confirmed, will be for an indefinite period, subject to Anglia Ruskin’s
continuing quality assurance procedures.
The mode of delivery is by full and part time attendance ( core Anglia and partner colleges)
and through correspondence (International Correspondence School).
2.2
The Panel recommends to the Senate the approval of 4 new modules for delivery. The full
titles of all new modules are provided in section D of this report.
2.3
Conditions
Approval is subject to the following conditions which were set by the Panel. A copy of the
response must be lodged with the Executive Officer by the date(s) detailed below:
2.4
Details of Condition
Deadline
Response to
be considered
by
2.3.1
The team shall revise the PSFs and the MDFs in
accordance with the Technical report and
resubmit electronically.
12th June
2009
Chair and
executive
officer
2.3.2
The team shall provide an up to date student
handbook to include reference to plagiarism,
return of work, the student charter, and ensure
consistent accurate information on penalties for
late submission.
12th June
2009
Chair and
executive
officer
2.3.3
The team shall provide complete and up to date
CV’s for all staff at core Anglia and partner
colleges.
12th June
2009
Chair and
executive
officer
Recommendations
The following recommendations for quality enhancement were made by the Panel. A copy
of the responses to the recommendations listed below must be lodged with the Executive
Officer. The Faculty Board for the Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences will consider
the responses at its meeting of 14th October 2009:
Quality Assurance Division
2
Draft/Unconfirmed/Confirmed
Details of Recommendation
The panel recommends the team revisit the personal tutoring
provision and consider providing additional support particularly in
semester 1 of the first year.
Deadline
30th
September
2009
2.4.2
The panel recommends the team examine the gap between 3000
and 10000 word essays and consider the inclusion of a 4500
word essay.
30th
September
2009
2.4.3
Given the discursive nature of the subject the panel recommends
the team make best use of the word lengths stipulated in the
modules
30th
September
2009
2.4.4
The panel recommends the team use a consistent approach to
the assessment of oral work across the pathway.
2.4.5
Given the size of the team, the panel recommends the
Department and the Faculty monitor staff workload.
2.4.6
The panel recommends the Faculty considers the provision of
some financial support for Field Trips.
30th
September
2009
30th
September
2009
30th
September
2009
2.4.1
2.5
Issues Referred to the Senate (or appropriate standing committee)
The Panel identified no institution-wide issues requiring the attention of the Senate or any
standing committee of the Senate:
Quality Assurance Division
3
Draft/Unconfirmed/Confirmed
SECTION B – DETAIL OF DISCUSSION AND PANEL CONCLUSIONS
3
RATIONALE
3.1
This re-approval has been brought about by the addition of four new modules to the History
pathway, and the realignment of existing module content across the levels to bring greater
coherence to the History degree.
4
CURRICULUM DESIGN, CONTENT AND DELIVERY
4.1
The Panel advised the team that reference to the QAA benchmark and not HEFCE
benchmark should be made and the Team agreed this would be amended within the
relevant documentation. The Team confirmed that the learning outcomes have been based
on the QAA benchmark statement.
4.2
The Panel was interested to learn whether input from History societies has been embedded
into the curriculum. The Team explained that the Royal Historical Society and the
Historical Association have more relevance for graduates going in to teaching and the
inclusion of the new module “Crowns and Peoples” has sought to address this.
4.3
The Team was asked to explain why the department is introducing the new modules. The
Team explained the introduction of the new modules reflects student requests, staff
expertise and a desire to offer more coherence within the pathway. The Panel accepted
the Teams explanation.
4.4
External panel members discussed research areas with individual Team members and how
this informed the curriculum. The Team explained the University and Faculty are very
supportive in the area of research and that additional monies are forthcoming as a result of
the Department’s performance in the RAE outcome
4.5
A detailed and lengthy discussion took place with regard to field trips. The Panel was
informed of the flexible venues for field trips and the Team confirmed this would be made
clearer within the documentation. The Team explained the importance of field trips and how
some are Tutor led and managed and some are self managed. The Panel was given
clarification about specialist texts and key texts and how these fitted into the modules and
curriculum. The panel was interested to know whether field trips are subsidised by the
Faculty. The Team confirmed some subsidies are available but these are via the
Department and Student Services and not the Faculty. The panel recommends the Faculty
considers the provision of some financial support for Field Trips.
4.6
External panel members enquired whether Power Point presentations were regularly used
by staff and students. The Team confirmed it is a Departmental policy to encourage the
use of power point and clips.
4.7
The panel was interested to learn of the exchange visits which students could take
advantage of. The Team explained that due to the Modular arrangement exchange visits
are only possible during the first semester at level 2
4.8
External panel members asked the Team to explain the student managed learning
requirement within the modules. The Team confirmed this is a University level expectation
related to the credit on individual module.
Quality Assurance Division
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Draft/Unconfirmed/Confirmed
5
ASSESSMENT STRATEGY
5.1
The Panel welcomed the variety of assessment elements and discussed the strategy for
the use of exams across levels 1 to 3 noting that less examination took place at the higher
levels. The Team explained this strategy was appropriate to the higher level modules and
External panel members agreed with this explanation.
5.2
Discussion took place around the restrictions the University places on assessment criteria
in particular word count and number of allowable assessment items. The Panel was
advised the Team works within the University Regulations which on occasion may limit the
discursiveness of the subject. The Panel noted that word counts within modules were
generally set at between 1000 and 3000 word length at levels 1 and 2 and considered that
students may be ill prepared for the undergraduate major project set at 10000 words. The
panel recommends the team makes best use of the word limits described in the modules
and examine the gap between 3000 and 10000 word essays and consider the inclusion of
a 4500 word essay.
5.3
The Panel was interested to learn whether there is a consistent assessment strategy for
oral presentations. The Team explained that different methods are currently used by
teaching staff and the Panel recommend the team use a consistent approach to the
assessment of oral work across the pathway.
6
STAFFING, LEARNING RESOURCES AND STUDENT SUPPORT.
6.1
The Panel undertook a tour of learning resources within the Library to support delivery of
the pathway. The support offered by Library personnel in relation to the students
preparation for dissertation was welcomed by the Panel.
6.2
The Panel raised concerns over the number of modules delivered by a small Team and
asked how the Team dealt with staff absence or secondment. The Team confirmed the
close cohesive nature of the Team allowed short term absence to be dealt with relatively
easily. The Department has adequate notice of secondments to make adjustment to the
budget and a pool of lecturers from both Cambridge and London is used to deliver modules
in their entirety.
6.3
Following the discussions related to staffing it was noted some staff CV’s had not been
provided. As a standard condition of approval the Team was requested to submit final
versions of staff CVs, for inclusion in the Register of Teaching Staff.
6.4
The panel noted the personal tutoring system and External Panel members were
particularly interested in the use of Student Advisers. The Team explained they operate a
flexible approach and have office hours clearly displayed. Students can also email and
make specific appointments. This is in addition to the introduction in welcome week 1. The
panel recommends the team revisit the personal tutoring provision and consider providing
additional support particularly in semester 1 of the first year.
Quality Assurance Division
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Draft/Unconfirmed/Confirmed
7
QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ENHANCEMENT
7.1
The Panel was satisfied with the information provided within the proposal document with
regard to quality assurance and enhancement and as such no further discussions took
place on this area.
8
DOCUMENTATION
8.1
The Panel had highlighted some minor issues with regard to the Student Handbooks in the
checklist of issues. In general, the Panel felt that the handbooks needed to more accurately
reflect the Anglia Ruskin document ‘Guidance on the Contents of a Student Handbook’ and
that the Team ensure that any revisions to the content of the curriculum were replicated in
the handbook. The Panel determined that the submission of final versions of the handbooks
be a condition of approval and should include reference to the student charter, plagiarism,
correct information on the return of work and penalties for late submission. The Team
agreed to revise the handbooks in line with the comments of the Panel contained in the
checklist of issues and the University guidance.
9
MISCELLANEOUS
9.1
External Panel members were interested to know how student feedback is disseminated
across the Faculty and University. The Chair explained the provision of student
representation on programme subcommittees, and the minutes from these feed back to
Faculty Board and Senate. The External Panel members suggested student representation
at approval events should be considered
10
CONFIRMATION OF STANDARDS OF AWARDS
10.1
The Panel confirmed that the proposed History ( single subject) and History with Another
Subject pathways satisfied the University’s Academic Regulations with regard to the
definitions and academic standards of Anglia Ruskin awards and, hence, the QAA’s
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
DRAFT
UNCONFIRMED
CONFIRMED
FILE REF
OFFICE FILE REF
Quality Assurance Division
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4th June 2009
12th June 2009
12th June 2009
Draft/Unconfirmed/Confirmed
SECTION C – DETAILS OF PANEL MEMBERSHIP AND PROPOSAL TEAM
Internal Panel Members:
Trevor Bolton
Director of Institute for International Management Practice
(Caribbean),
Ashcroft International Business School
Julian Doberski
Principal Lecturer Life Sciences
Faculty of Science and Technology
External Panel Members:
Michele Cohen
Professor in Humanities
Richmond American International University, London
Executive Officer:
Christopher Read
Professor of Modern European History
University of Warwick
Technical Officer:
Vicky McCormick
Faculty Quality Assurance Officer
Faculty of Arts Law and Social Sciences
Members of Proposal Team:
Rohan McWilliam
Pathway Leader, Senior Lecturer History
Department of Humanities
Faculty of Arts Law and Social Sciences.
Alison Ainley
Head of Humanities & Social
Department of Humanities
Faculty of Arts Law and Social Sciences.
Clarrisa Cambell Orr
Reader in Enlightenment, Gender and Court Studies
Department of Humanities
Faculty of Arts Law and Social Sciences.
Sean Lang
Senior Lecturer, History
Department of Humanities
Faculty of Arts Law and Social Sciences.
Jon Davis
Programme Leader, Humanities; Principal Lecturer, History
Department of Humanities
Faculty of Arts Law and Social Sciences.
`
Quality Assurance Division
Louise Tree
Huntingdon Regional College
7
Draft/Unconfirmed/Confirmed
Margaret Hiley
University College Peterborough
Claire Hall
University College Peterborough
Quality Assurance Division
8
Draft/Unconfirmed/Confirmed
SECTION D – OUTCOME DATA
Programme
Department
Faculty
Collaborative Partner
New/amended Awards
Approved (nb intended awards
History (Single) History with Another
Humanities
Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences
University Centre Kings Lynn, Huntingdon Regional College, University
Centre Peterborough, International Correspondence Schools/Cengage,
Glasgow.
Title(s) of Named Pathway(s)
Attendance mode
and duration
only, not intermediate awards)
BA Hons.
History (Single Subject)
Full and Part time
and
Correspondence
BA Hons.
History with Another Subject
Full and Part time
and
Correspondence
Validating body (if not Anglia Ruskin University)
Professional body accreditation
Proposal Team Leader
Month and Year of the first intake
Standard intake points
Maximum and minimum student numbers
Date of first Conferment of Award(s)
Any additional/specialised wording to appear on
transcript and/or award certificate
Date of next scheduled Periodic Review
Awards and Titles to be deleted (with month/year of last
regular conferment)
N/A
N/A
Rohan McWilliam
September 2009
200
15 Min No maximum
July 2010
None
To be confirmed
N/A
NEW MODULES APPROVED
AG115033S Crowns and Peoples: Early Modern Britain, 1500-1688
AG215057S The Growth of the USA 1776-1900
AG315058S Capitalism in Crisis
AG315059S Russia after Stalin
Quality Assurance Division
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Draft/Unconfirmed/Confirmed
FOR FRANCHISE APPROVALS ONLY: LIST OF MODULE TUTORS AND MODULE CODES & TITLES
(FOR INCLUSION IN THE REGISTER OF TEACHING STAFF)
Pathway title: History with another subject
Name of partner institution: University Centre Kings Lynn
Name of staff member
Michelle Boyton
Janet Hughes
Module Code
AG130003D
AG115003S
Will Oliver
AG230002D
AG215015S
AG230002D
AG215005S
AG315011S
AG130003D
Paul Richards
Keverne Smith
Katrin Wilhelm
AG315008S
AG115033S
AG215005S
Module Title
Crowns and Peoples
Western Civilization
Making of Modern Britain
Crowns and Peoples
Britain since 1832
History Today
Britain since 1832
United States in the 20th Century
The Cold War
Western Civilization
Aspects of East Anglian History
Crowns and Peoples
United States in the 20th Century
Name of Pathway title: History and English (degree taught at Level 1 and 2 only)
Name of partner institution: Huntingdonshire College
Name of staff member
Sue Sadler
Louise Tree
Module Code
AG215015S
AG130003D
AG115004S
AG115003S
AG230002D
AG2150006S
Lecturer for Crowns and Peoples yet to be appointed.
Module Title
History Today
Western Civilisation
Citizens: The French Revolution &
Modern Political Culture
Making of Modern Britain
Britain since 1832
Europe 1848 – 1914
Pathway title: History
Name of partner institution: ICS
Name of staff member
Module Code
Module Title
Tom Dixon
Stuart Mitchell
AG130003D
Western Civilization
AG115003S
Marisa Linton
AG115004S
Making of Modern Britain
Citizens: The French Revolution & Modern
Political Culture
Terence Corps
AG130002S
Growth of the USA
Claire Hall
AG130001S
War Power & Culture: Europe 1660-1789
Lecturer for Crowns and Peoples yet to be appointed
Quality Assurance Division
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Draft/Unconfirmed/Confirmed
Pathway title: History
Name of partner institution: UCP
Name of staff member
John Boland
Module Code
AG130003D
AG115004S
AG230002D
Alan Brooke
AG130003D
AG115003S
AG230002D
AG315010S
AG315012D
AG115004S
Claire Hall
AG115003S
AG215015S
AG315007S
AG315011S
AG115004S
AG230002D
Abi Hunt
AG315008S
AG115003S
Jenny Bloodworth
AG315010S
Lecturer for Crowns and Peoples yet to be appointed
Module Title
Western Civilization
Citizens
Britain since 1832
Western Civilization
Making of Modern Britain
Britain since 1832
Leisure and Popular Culture
History Special Subject
Citizens
Making of Modern Britain
History Today
Russia: Revolution and reaction
The Cold War
Citizens
Britain since 1832
Aspects of East Anglian History
Making of Modern Britain
Leisure and Popular Culture
NB Copies of CVs of Module Leaders at partner institutions to be provided to Sharon Simpson with a copy of the full
report
Quality Assurance Division
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Draft/Unconfirmed/Confirmed