Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | 1 x 2,500 word Analytical Diary | 40% |
| Semester Assessment | 1 x 2,000 word Report | 30% |
| Semester Assessment | 1 x 2,000 word essay | 30% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate, through written work, an ability to relate specific examples of their experiences of Welsh politics to the existing debates and issues in broader academic literature on Welsh Politics
2. Describe and analyse the organisational and decision-making structures of their placement organisation.
3. Discuss the working arrangements of the Welsh Government and National Assembly for Wales and analyse their relationship with other levels of government.
4. Illustrate and evaluate the different channels for influencing the Welsh Government and National Assembly and their policy and legislative processes.
5. Reflect and evaluate their skills base, including written, oral, transferrable and employability skills. As part of this, reflect on how work based learning has enhanced their skills and skills awareness.
Content
This module aims to provide students with practical insights into the working of the National Assembly for Wales and Welsh politics post-devolution. It provides an unique opportunity to develop and enhance written and oral transferable skills. Students will work for an organisation that is directly involved in Welsh politics and will have the opportunity to undertake activities, tasks, projects, office or other business that the organisation requires, subject to the overall supervision of the nature of the work by the Module Convenor (the Module Convenor will keep in weekly contact with the students via e-mail, will be in contact with the student'r Line Manager at the placement and will make one visit the placement location). The following have already provisionally agreed to provide placements: The Welsh Assembly Government, The Assembly Parliamentary Services, Welsh Local Government Association, BBC Political Affairs Unit, Morgan and Cole, and Grayling Public Relations.
Students will be expected to keep a reflective log during the placement period and to record assignments and appointments, meetings and receptions attended and one of the assessments will be based on this.
Brief description
This module aims to enhance students understanding and study of Welsh politics in other modules on the course, particularly IPM1630 Devolution and the National Assembly for Wales which is a pre-requisite for this module by offering practical work experience in one of a number of organisations that are involved in Welsh politics on a daily basis.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Numerical data collection will not be a central component of this module. |
| Communication | Students will learn how to present their ideas both verbally and in writing and how to assert themselves to advantage. They will undertand the importance of information and clear communication and how to exploit these. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | The module aims to promote self-management but within a context of assistance from both the convenor and fellow students alike. students will be expected to improve their own learning and performance by undertaking their own research and to exercise their own initiative. |
| Information Technology | Students will be expected to submit their work in wordprocessed format. Also students will be encouraged to search for sources of information on the web, as well as seeking sources through electronic information sources (such as BIDS and OCLC). |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The fact that the module allows students to spend a period working in an institution that plays an active part in the politics of post-devolution Wales will give them an insight to the kind of careers that may be open to them once they complete their studies. |
| Problem solving | Independent project work and problem solving will be one of the central goals of the module; the submission of essays and a review essay will require that the student develops independent research skills as well as problem solving skills. |
| Research skills | The submission of essays and a report will reflect the independent research skills of the student. The need to locate appropriate research resources and write up the results will also facilitate research skills. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Students will have the opportunity to develop, practice and test a wide range of subject specified skills that help them to understand, conceptualise and evaluate examples and ideas. These include, collect and understand a wide range of data; ability to evaluate competing perspectives. |
| Team work | During the work placement students will be required to settle into a new environment and then perform the tasks that are set for them. This will include supporting the work of permanent staff. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7