Form C4
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor
1. Course
Code
C49WD
2. Course
Title
Work-based BSL Placement & Research Project
3. SCQF
Level
6. Course
TBC
Co-ordinator
9
4. Credits
60
5. School
Management and Languages
7. Delivery:
Location &
Semester
Edin
SBC
Orkney
Dubai
IDL
Collaborative Partner
Approved Learning Partner
Sem 2
Sem…….
Sem………..
Sem……..
Sem….
Name…………………….....Sem..…...
Name …………………………………Sem………..
8. Pre-requisites
BSL Advanced 1 and 2
9. Linked Courses
(specify if synoptic)
C49YC2) Year Abroad Placement & Research Credits / Work-based BSL Placement and Research Project
10. Excluded Courses
C49YB1, Year Abroad Placement & ECTS Credits
11. Replacement Courses
Code:
12. Degrees for which
this is a core course
Date Of Replacement:
13. The course may be
delivered to:
15. Aims
UG only
PG only
UG & PG
MA in BSL (Interpreting, Translating and Applied Language
Studies); MA in Languages (Interpreting and Translating); MA
in Applied Languages and Translating (if students are taking
BSL as one of their languages)
14. Available as an Elective?
Yes
No
The aim of the work-based placement is to enable students to use, rehearse and develop their BSL skills and apply their knowledge of working with members of the Deaf
community in real-life contexts together with members of the Deaf community, while engaging in work-based tasks under guidance in Deaf community settings. The
expected learning outcomes are to foster students’ linguistic skills reaching abilities to produce and understand complex language in a wide range of social and work
situations, as well as their intercultural awareness, while gaining qualities of self-reliance and other generic skills. Students will be expected to work within BSL-focused,
Deaf-led organisations, and/or with interpreting providers, carrying out a range of agreed duties, while providing evidence of reflection on (1) their linguistic developments,
(2) on experienced events and issues relating to working in Deaf community settings and (3) observations of cross-linguistic and cross-cultural interactions, with the support
of a tutor assigned by the university.
16. Syllabus
Students will engage in work-based learning off-campus, working with organisations/companies which are based in Deaf community settings with members of the Deaf
community and where BSL is used as a regular mode of communication. Under guidance of placement supervisors provided by the host placement provider as well as a
university placement co-ordinator and a visiting/link tutor, students will carry out tasks, as agreed by the relevant parties, and reflect on their observations.
Students produce a project in BSL. The general topic areas and lines of approach should be established as early as possible and preferably before students leave for their
placement. Topics will normally be chosen from any of the areas covered by the Society and Institutions in Contemporary Europe courses in year 2 (C48CS, C48CT) or the
Working with Deaf Communities course. Topics dealing with language studies and linguistics may also be chosen. In the case of such topics a clear connection with the
Second Year Linguistics (General Linguistics and/or Sign Linguistics) curriculum must be evident. Only in exceptional cases will topics outside the areas stated above be
given approval. Students are encouraged to choose a topic which enables them to draw on their experiences and observations during the work-based placement.
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Form C4
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor
17. Learning Outcomes (HWU Core Skills: Employability and Professional Career Readiness)
Subject Mastery
Understanding, Knowledge and Cognitive
Skills
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Personal Abilities
Scholarship, Enquiry and Research (Research-Informed Learning)
Demonstrate ability to communicate in BSL using a wide range of vocabulary and complex sentence structures including technical language within a chosen
topic area, and to express facts, ideas and support arguments.
Demonstrate a broad, detailed and integrated knowledge and understanding of the scope, main areas and boundaries of the selected project topic.
Demonstrate a critical understanding of a selection of the principal theories, principles, concepts and terminology relevant to the selected project topic.
Develop the principal skills, techniques, practices and/or materials associated with project writing:
Fieldwork (e.g. visits to archives, interviews, questionnaires, surveys), gathering, sorting, analysing, evaluating information; planning and writing/producing
recorded signed texts; arguing a case; drafting, editing and revising.
Deal with ethical issues in accordance with the current School ethical guidelines for Research, seeking guidance where appropriate.
Industrial, Commercial & Professional Practice
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Autonomy, Accountability & Working with Others
18. Assessment Methods
Method
Communication, Numeracy & ICT
Demonstrate evidence of independent enquiry or investigation.
Draw on a range of sources in making judgements.
Work in a range of contexts which include a degree of unpredictability.
Undertake critical analysis, evaluation and/or synthesis of ideas, concepts, information and issues.
Develop communication skills, particularly producing texts in BSL.
Assess priorities; multi-task.
Develop interpersonal skills.
Use a range of IT applications to support and enhance work.
Exercise autonomy and initiative.
Work under guidance with qualified practitioners and communicate with professional level peers, senior colleagues and specialists in various modes of
communication
19. Re-assessment Methods
Duration of Exam
Weighting (%)
Synoptic courses?
Method
(if applicable)
BSL Research Project
Duration of Exam
(if applicable)
100%
Resubmission of project
20. Date and Version
Date of Proposal
Date of Approval by
School Committee
Date of
Implementation
Version
Number
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Diet(s)