CENTRE FOR LIFELONG LEARNING - SCOTTISH CULTURAL STUDIES

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Donald Paterson

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Overview

This highly practical course is aimed at anyone with an interest in local history and who wants to develop this interest further. Making use of the wealth of resources available, those attending the course will explore sources of local history and examine how these can be used to build up a picture of an area in the past. Combining teaching and practical exercises the course will cover sources such as family history, census records, the role of local newspapers, records of births, marriages and deaths, oral history, maps, archives, archaeological records, local history societies, secondary published sources etc. The course will also examine ways in which the Internet can be used to enhance and facilitate the study of local history. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Course Outline: Introduction; Family History; Local History; Maps; Newspapers; Archives; Oral History; Archaeology; Community History

Structure

6 One and a half hour video conference lecture/tutorial sessions. Exercises in the course workbook. Field work and directed learning.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous assessment: one essay (1500 words) plus maps/illustrations,
one end of course assessment (40%).

Resit: One paper equivalent to the end of course assessment

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D Paterson

Pre-requisites

Notes

All course work is in English.

Overview

This course provides an introduction to the historical and literary background of Highland culture and the culture of the Gael in the Highlands & Islands. This will involve exploring the major events of the twentieth century, both internal and external, and their impact on Highland culture and the Gaelic world. Note: All course work is in English.

Course Outline:
Introductions and broad outline of course
The Celtic context for Gaelic
A century on the census
Decline and development
The contemporary Gaelic community
Gaelic in the media and workplace

Structure

6 One and a half hour video conference lecture/tutorial sessions

Discussions based on questions in the course workbook

Directed learning relating to students home areas

Assessment

1st attempt: 3 Essays (1500 - 2000 words) equally weighted

Resit: Submission of alternative essays

Formative Assessment

During the course, students complete 3 essay. These are marked and returned (with feedback forms) to give formative feedback.

Feedback

Feedback on formative assessments is provided on Assignment Feedback Forms. One copy of these is retained in the Centre, the other is returned to the student with a copy of the work submitted. These forms give feedback (on a scale of 1 - 5) for Focus on topic, Content, Argument, Structure, Use of learning resources, Referencing & quotations, Language skills, presentation and use of visuals as well as having a section where students are told how they might have improved. The schedule for feedback is such that students have formative feedback before they need to submit their next piece of work.

As the course is delivered flexibly, and many students are not present in person, formative feedback is also provided by e mail exchanges with the course tutor.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Donald Paterson

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

Access to a PC and broadband connection essential.

Overview

The course will introduce the sources available for Family History research in Scotland.

Special emphasis will be placed on the use of names as guides to information. Each student will be expected to undertake a research project on a particular Scottish name and also to draw up a family tree of interest to himself or herself.

Course Outline:

Structure

The course is completely web based with the units coming "live" on the course WebCt site at a rate dictated by the tutor. This ensures that everyone is roughly at the same stage. 12 Units are made live as the tutor dictates, and the course is moderated by the tutor (who guides discussion), and staff from CLL, who monitor student presence on the course web site.
Students are expected to log on and participate at least 3 hours each week. Thereafter, they carry out personal and guided research for the various projects.

Assessment

1st Attempt: One essay 12 - 1500 words on a particular surname (30%). A family tree including research notes/appendices (30%). End of course essay 1200 - 1500 words (40%).

Resit: End of course essay 1200 - 1500 words (on a different topic).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D Paterson

Pre-requisites

Overview

Following on from “Introduction to Gaelic Culture 1”, this course will focus on simple authentic Gaelic texts in translation, together with the discovery of such background information as it needed to understand these texts in their context, for near beginners in the language. A range of registers and topics will be covered, building on those studied in KL105Q, with a view to enhancing factual knowledge of the culture of the Highlands & Islands from historic times to the present day.

By the end of the course, students will have acquired greater knowledge and understanding of a wider range of topics relating to the society, culture and history of the modern Scottish Highlands. They will also be introduced to some poetry and prose in translation and have an ability to put the writing in its cultural and historical context.

Structure

6 One and a half hour video conference lecture/tutorial sessions

Assessment

1st attempt: 3 Essays (1500 - 2000 words) equally weighted

Resit: Submission of alternative

Formative Assessment

During the course, students complete 3 essay. These are marked and returned (with feedback forms) to give formative feedback.

Feedback

Feedback on formative assessments is provided on Assignment Feedback Forms. One copy of these is retained in the Centre, the other is returned to the student with a copy of the work submitted. These forms give feedback (on a scale of 1 - 5) for Focus on topic, Content, Argument, Structure, Use of learning resources, Referencing & quotations, Language skills, presentation and use of visuals as well as having a section where students are told how they might have improved. The schedule for feedback is such that students have formative feedback before they need to submit their next piece of work.

As the course is delivered flexibly, and many students are not present in person, formative feedback is also provided by e mail exchanges with the course tutor.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D Paterson

Pre-requisites

KL1040 How to Study Local History: a foundation skills course

Co-requisites

None

Notes

Evidence of appropriate study may be used as an alternative to satisfactory completion of KL1040 - contact the Centre for Lifelong Learning if you wish to discuss this

Overview

The course involves active participation in 6 tutorial sessions with fellow class members and the course tutor. During these sessions, topics are introduced and considered, sources discussed, limitations to the topic are considered and potential problems discussed and resolved.

Outwith the class sessions, students are encouraged to use the course WebCT site to discuss issues. The course tutor is in regular contact with individuals to discuss progress.

Structure

Formal teaching: 6 One and a half hour video conference lecture/tutorial sessions.
Directed learning

Informal teaching: Discussion and feedback with the course tutor by telephone, face to face and by e mail.

Assessment

An 8000 - 10000 word Dissertation

Resubmission of dissertation following review and rewrite

Formative Assessment

Tutorials involve an element of group discussion and constant feedback by class and tutor. Thereafter the tutor gives personal feedback on the plan submitted and gives regular individual feedback by telephone and e mail

Feedback

As the course is delivered flexibly, and many students are not present in person, most formative feedback is done by e mail exchanges with the course tutor

Feedback on summative assessments (in this case the Dissertation Plan) is provided on Assignment Feedback Forms. One copy of these is retained in the Centre, the other is returned to the student with a copy of the work submitted. These forms give feedback (on a scale of 1 - 5) for Focus on topic, Content, Argument, Structure, Use of learning resources, Referencing & quotations, Language skills, presentation and use of visuals as well as having a section where students are told how they might have improved. The schedule for feedback is such that students have summative feedback before they need to submit their next piece of work.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr D Paterson

Pre-requisites

KL1049/KL1549 How to Study Local History: A Foundation Skills Course
KL2041/KL2541 Local History Dissertation with Group Instruction
A total of at least 90 credits at level 2 or above

Co-requisites

None

Notes

Students taking Local History Dissertation are each allocated a supervisor, and develop their work under the personal supervision of the nominated individual.
The topic selected can, by agreement with the Programme Co-ordinator, develop research areas studied in Local History Dissertation with Group Instruction

Overview

This course provides an opportunity for students interested in Local History to apply and expand upon the skills and techniques developed in courses, such as 'How to Study Local History: A Foundation Skills Course' and 'Local History Dissertation with Group Instruction' in pursuing independent supervised research studies of their local areas.

Structure

Each student will be assigned a supervisor, who will make available regular consultation times. Meetings can be face to face or by telephone and e mail as appropriate.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Submission of a dissertation of c8000 words - including appendices and illustrations (100%).

Resit: Resubmission of the dissertation following feedback

Formative Assessment

Discussions with the supervisor enable students to test their knowledge and understanding of the subject as their work progresses.

Feedback

As the course is delivered flexibly, and many students are not present in person, most formative feedback is done by telephone/e mail exchanges with the supervisor.
Summative assessments is provided on completion of the dissertation in the form of a report. Supervisors are requested to give feedback for Focus on topic, Content, Argument, Structure, Use of learning resources, Referencing and quotations, Language skills, presentation and use of visuals as well as indicating how students might have improved. The schedule for feedback is such that students have summative feedback before they submit their dissertation.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr D Paterson

Pre-requisites

90 credits at level 3 from Scottish Studies and/or Scottish Archaeology courses

Co-requisites

None.

Notes

Students taking Special Subject 1 or 2 are each allocated a supervisor, and develop their work under the personal supervision of the nominated individual.
The topic chosen for KL4532 Special Subject 2 can, by agreement with the Programme Co-ordinator, be on a topic related to that studied in KL4032

Overview

An intensive study of a limited Scottish theme, topic, period or problem based on primary sources and other relevant material to allow students to pursue a programme of reading and analysis of a specific subject area with the support, guidance and direction of an academic well-versed in the subject. It may be used to develop themes encountered in previous study, but will also allow wide reading around a subject, which may provide the focus for the dissertation. Precise subjects are determined in consultation with staff and identified student interest.

Structure

Each student will be assigned a supervisor, who will make available regular consultation times. Meetings can be face to face or by telephone and e-mail as appropriate

Assessment

1st Attempt: A dissertation of 8000-9000 words

Resit: Resubmission of the dissertation following feedback

Formative Assessment

Discussions with the supervisor enable students to test their knowledge and understanding of the subject as their work progresses.

Feedback

As the course is delivered flexibly, and many students are not present in person, most formative feedback is done by telephone/e-mail exchanges with the supervisor
Summative assessments is provided on completion of the dissertation in the form of a report. Tutors are requested to give feedback for focus on topic, content, argument, structure, use of learning resources, referencing and quotations, language skills, presentation and use of visuals as well as indicating how students might have improved. The schedule for feedback is such that students have summative feedback before they submit their dissertation.