AR2MPL-Summer Micro-Placement

Module Provider: Archaeology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Summer & Autumn Terms
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: The placement must be undertaken during the summer preceding the year in which the module is to count towards (i.e. at the end of P1 for it to count towards P2, OR at the end of P2 for it to count towards P3.) The placement cannot be carried out at the end of the year you want it to count towards (e.g. at the end of P2 if you would like it to count towards your P2 modules) due to the mark entry deadline dates from the Exams Office.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Rob Hosfield
Email: r.hosfield@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module gives students an opportunity to undertake a research or professional placement broadly related to the general area of their degree programme, during the summer vacation preceding Part 2 or 3 study. Research placements will provide the opportunity of working with a member of staff on a current project based in the UK or internationally. Professional placements would allow students to work with a professional organisation, consultancy or government organisation to gain experience of the professional sector.

Aims:

1. To gain experience of the job application process through self-organised placements


2. To gain relevant research/professional placement experience to provide a context for academic studies


3. To increase employability through being able to demonstrate dedicated experience in the university or professional sector


4. To extend knowledge and learning of degree discipline modules and to help identify future career path(s)


5. To enhance ‘soft-skills’ such as team-work, communication, time-management and planning.Ìý

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that the student will be able to:

1. Gain understanding and appreciation of the research/professional environment


2. Think critically and analytically about the work carried out on the placement and how it has contributed to the research/professional activity


3. List examples of soft-skills acquired and developed whilst on placement


4. Production of a screencast


5. Production of a poster and attendance of poster networking event

Additional outcomes:

Students may also develop the following:

1. Understand and take part in the job application process (CV, cover letter, interview)Ìý


2. Appreciation of the internal and external factors that impact upon the running of a research/enterprise activity


3. Self-confidence within the research/enterprise working environment


4. Identification of a future career path

Outline content:

Students are expected to secure their own placements to be completed during the summer vacation preceding Part 2 or 3ÌýÌýstudy. The placement length should be 10 days (70 hours), or part-time equivalent (although longer placements can contribute to this module). Placements may be paid or unpaid. Advice and support on securing placements will be available from the School and the Careers Advisory Service. Placements must provide students with the opportunity to expand their knowledge and understanding of the research/enterprise working environment, and provide them with situations to develop both the academic/technical expertise and ‘soft-skills’. Each placement must be individually approved by the module convenor, with all necessary legal, health and safety documents in place prior to commencement. During the placement the student must abide by the rules and regulations of the provider.

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Students who do not secure placements before the summer vacation will be asked to transfer to another 10 credit module instead.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will consist of at 10 days (70 hours), or part-time equivalent (although longer placements can contribute to this module), the timing of which will be arranged between the student and research/professional placement provider. The work content of the placeme