Applied Humanities (Accelerated degree) BA (Hons)

During this module, students will lay the groundwork for their future personal and professional development. The module will provide opportunities to explore career pathways and professional sectors, set goals, and consider their well-being. Throughout the development of the personal development plan, students will have opportunities to develop crucial digital and information literacy skills. Students use a range of open-source digital tools to develop their personal development plan which typically includes podcasts, videos, written and visual material.

The personal development plan begins with a consideration of personal values and their vision of the future. Students will develop a career investigation report which asks them to explore routes into one or more careers or think about the possibilities of a portfolio career. Students will consider one professional sector in-depth, exploring the real-world, contemporaneous challenges and opportunities shaping that sector. Students will consider the meaning of success in the many spheres of their lives, home and family, work and volunteering, community and culture, interests and pastimes, formal and informal qualifications as well as technical and/or vocational skills. Students will have opportunities to reflect on their own well-being, considering ways to develop their self-efficacy through self-management techniques and digital tools.

During this module students will take control of their own learning and chart an individualised pathway that aligns with their unique strengths, interests, and goals. This module will establish a series of learning habits (self-efficacy, collaborative practice and networking) which will form the basis for the rest of their degree and their lifelong learning.

Beginning with the core concept of lifelong learning, they will apply this theoretical approach to their own experience across a variety of spheres including home and family, work and volunteering, community and culture, interests and pastimes, formal and informal qualifications as well as technical and/or vocational skills. Students will be required to complete a series of tasks to help audit, plan and track their progress. They will be introduced to a range of resources to enhance their learning both now and in the future including volunteering and other opportunities to gain practical experience, MOOCs and other “free” online providers such as the Learning and Work Institute or FutureLearn. They will be expected to set achievable goals for the rest of the academic year. Typically, these will revolve around meeting attendance commitments, submission deadlines, and pursuing additional qualifications or training opportunities, although they can take different forms depending on individual needs.

The module provides students with a range of opportunities to establish intellectual, peer, and professional connections. Scheduled workshops will include guest speakers, typically from a wide range of sectors, as well as academics, Applied Humanities alumni and current students. Guest speakers have previously included professionals from diverse sectors such as the civil service, counselling, education, heritage, HR, marketing, NHS, police, politicians (both local and national) and community organisers. Academic speakers include specialists and active researchers from the humanities and beyond. These speakers provide invaluable insights into different professional and academic landscapes including the key issues, trends, and challenges facing these sectors. Students are encouraged to engage in meaningful discussion, offer constructive feedback, build connections and develop, enhance and use their own networks.

Alongside the scheduled guest speakers, students also undertake experiential sessions where they can further explore the themes of the presentations, focus on relevant skills, develop ideas and offer peer feedback. This may relate directly to the specialist knowledge they have acquired as part of the module but could also be drawn from their wider interests. To support this process, students will also be assessed according to their engagement which could include attendance, participation, completed forms and surveys, meetings and reviews.

This module aims to equip students with the necessary skills to succeed in their future careers. The module covers various aspects of the job application process, including reviewing CVs, taking part in assessment centres and using personal statements to meet job descriptions. Students are encouraged to critically review application materials and draw on their successes in many spheres of life including home and family, work and volunteering, community and culture, interests and pastimes, formal and informal qualifications as well as technical and/or vocational skills.

By the end of the module, students will have demonstrated their ability to apply humanities-based approaches to real-world scenarios. They will be required to take a human-centred perspective, considering the ethical, social, and cultural implications of their work. Through the process of group coaching, they will record their personal and professional development, whilst refining a range of skills such as design thinking, project management, collaborative practice and effective communication.

This module provides students with the opportunity to explore the principles and practice of interdisciplinary and interprofessional working. This typically begins with students auditing their progress, identifying shared goals and making decisions together about the organisation and content of their studies. This could involve a range of activities including coaching, sharing and developing portfolio proposals, undertaking scenario or problem-based activities, and requesting or revisiting specific skills sessions. Students will be required to make a commitment to active listening, open and respectful communication as well as a willingness to share responsibility, resources and knowledge.