Critical

The portfolio/learning journal has a minimum word limit of 2000 words and is worth 25% of the marks on this module. It is due in on 30th April 2019, and should be submitted electronically in the usual way. It is designed to reflect the progress of your learning over the course of the module. Completing the various tasks efficiently and effectively will significantly enhance the likelihood of a good module grade.

A complete portfolio/learning journal consists of four elements:

1. A minimum of two sides of A4 notes on each of the tutorial sessions. N.B. If you miss a class session you are still required to complete your answers to the tutorial questions for that session in order to get a good mark for your learning journal. This material does not count against the journal word limit. Photographs or scans of handwritten work are perfectly acceptable, and in many ways preferable to you having to type the notes up.

2. Your reviews of the Sharpe and Miller & Shamsie papers (see tutorial preparation briefs on Blackboard). Word length: 350 words each (minimum). These reviews should be word-processed, not hand-written.

3. Your notes from each of your supervision meetings. Like the tutorial notes, this material does not count against the journal word limit. Photographs or scans of handwritten work are perfectly acceptable, and in many ways preferable to you having to type the notes up.

4. A reflective essay of 1,300 words ( minimum ). This essay should provide evidence of your academic and intellectual development over the period of the module, and include your thoughts and reflections on that development. The essay should be word-processed, not hand-written.

Tutorial staff and module leaders will be happy to provide further guidance on the reflective essay as the module progresses.

The learning journal is marked according to the following scheme:

0 – 15%:

Non-submission, or one or more of the sections above is missing. This will mean you have failed the learning journal and will be referred in this element.

20 – 35%:

Sub-sections missing (i.e. one or more tutorials), or no evidence of analysis, evaluation, or reflection. In other words a learning journal that has clearly been neglected during the module or which has been completed at the last minute and contains very limited notes and materials. This will mean you have probably failed the learning journal and will likely be referred in this element.

40-55%:

Adequate performance, basic material covered but poorly developed. By this we mean that all the sections are completed but some of the sections have only been completed to fulfil the basic requirements and remain shallow, thin or undeveloped.

60-75%:

Good performance, material covered, well-developed ideas.

80–95%:

Strong evaluation and reflection, and thorough documentation, with an effort to consider in depth the issues in the module.

100%:

Outstanding evaluation and reflection, demonstrating additional reading, and original thinking about the module.

So the mark depends not only on submitting all the elements required, but also on the quality of each of these elements.

The mark for the learning journal and literature review together constitute your mark for the module. A good mark for the learning journal can compensate for a mediocre literature review grade: similarly, a poor mark can significantly reduce your overall module grade.

Please note that successful completion of the module requires passing both the literature review and the learning journal.