Undergraduate Course: Foundation Humanities and Social Sciences (FNDN07005)
Course Outline
| School | Centre for Open Learning |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 40 |
ECTS Credits | 20 |
| Summary | This multi-disciplinary course will introduce you to the scope of the Humanities and Social Sciences and provides an opportunity to experience forms of learning, teaching and assessment that are common at undergraduate level. |
| Course description |
The course provides an opportunity to experience forms of learning, teaching and assessment that are common at undergraduate level in the humanities and social sciences. The course will be delivered in the form of four subject blocks: history, sociology, psychology, and cultural studies. These blocks will provide opportunities for integrating foundational subject knowledge and academic skills, which you will explore further in the capstone academic language and literacies course. Each block will begin by introducing the nature of the discipline, covering a selected range of key themes, and culminating in a reflective application of knowledge to the students' personal experiences.
Each of the four subject blocks will introduce the nature of the discipline and examine some of the historical biases and power dynamics that have influenced it. The content covered within each block will encompass a thoughtfully selected range of key themes.
Moreover, the course will encourage reflection and critical application of knowledge, enabling you to establish connections between the subject matter and your own personal experiences. This approach promotes a deeper understanding of the material, allowing you to engage with the content from multiple perspectives and challenge dominant narratives.
Throughout this course, you will have the opportunity to refine your academic skills, including effective communication, critical analysis, and knowledge of research approaches.
You will actively engage in an inclusive learning environment, where subject knowledge is introduced through interactive weekly lectures. You will also participate in weekly tutorials, fostering academic skills such as collaborative group work and inclusive class discussions.
In preparation for tutorials, you will be expected to engage with relevant materials that reflect a diverse range of perspectives. You will complete weekly tasks in your learning journal, providing an opportunity for self-reflection and exploration of a wide range of themes. Feedback will be provided to support your learning journey.
Throughout the semester, the assessments will not only evaluate your knowledge and critical thinking but also serve as a platform for ongoing feedback dialogue with your course teachers, fostering a collaborative and inclusive approach to learning. Additionally, peer-learning opportunities and educational visits will be organised, focusing on subject knowledge and promoting a deeper understanding of diverse cultures and experiences.
The course is mandatory for students on the International Foundation Programme Humanities & Social Sciences Pathway. The course is not available to undergraduate students.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 90 |
| Course Start |
Flexible |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
400
(
Lecture Hours 26,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 26,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 26,
Fieldwork Hours 26,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 8,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
288 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Multi-stage essay assessment (50%) consisting of:
Essay Plan
Essay feed-forward exercise
Final essay (max 1500 words)
Reflective learning journal (30%)
End-of-term assessment project or student-led tutorial (20%) |
| Feedback |
Formative verbal feedback will be given in class. Students will complete a multi-stage assessment during which verbal and/or written feedback will be offered at each stage. The mark will be derived from the final essay assessment, but completion of all stages is expected. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Communicate purposefully demonstrating an awareness of audience, and context, while incorporating diverse perspectives that challenge dominant narratives.
- Describe key concepts, theories, and methodologies used in studying the Humanities and Social Sciences.
- Demonstrate skills that are integral to studying the Humanities and Social Sciences, including research skills and critical analysis.
- Reflect on their own learning, make use of and act on feedback, while critically examining their own biases and assumptions.
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Reading List
Bennett, A. (2005) Culture and everyday life. London: Sage.
Connell, R., (2007) Southern Theory: The Global Dynamics of Knowledge in the Social Science. Sydney: Taylor & Francis Group.
Edwards, B. and Jenkins, P. (2005) Edinburgh: the Making of a Capital City. Edinburgh: EUP.
Schacter, D. (2019) Psychology. 3rd ed. edited by D. Gilbert and D. Wegner. Macmillan International Higher Education. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Enquiry and lifelong learning.
Personal and intellectual autonomy to critically evaluate ideas, evidence and experiences from an open-minded and reasoned perspective.
Communication to enhance their understanding of a topic or context and to engage effectively with others.
With an informed international perspective, they seek to contribute positively, ethically and respectfully.
Making the most of a confident and reflective approach, they take personal responsibility for pursuing their goals and opportunities to grow. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Ms Liz MacDougall
Tel:
Email: emacdou3@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr James Cooper
Tel: (0131 6)50 4400
Email: jcooper6@ed.ac.uk |
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