| 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 review essay 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. |
| Communication |
Students will learn how to present their ideas both verbally and in writing and how to assert themselves to advantage. They will understand 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. |
| Team work |
Seminars will consist in part of small-group discussion where students will be obliged to discuss as a group the core issues related to seminar topics. Such class room debates and discussions are a vital component of the module. |
| Information Technology |
Students will be expected to submit their work in word-processed 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). |
| Application of Number |
During the module, students will undertake some analysis of numerical data by examining electoral and survey data from Wales since 1997 and will therefore develop basic interpretative skills. |
| Personal Development and Career planning |
The discussion in particular will help develop students' verbal and presentation skills. Learning about the process of planning an essay and a presentation, framing the parameters of projects, honing and developing projects and seeing through to completion will contribute to transferable skills. |
| Subject Specific Skills |
Students have the opportunity to develop, practice and test a wide range of subject specific 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. |