BA History and Philosophy of Science and Theology and Religious Studies

Year 1

(Award available for year: Certificate of Higher Educ)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the Joint Honours Degree programme students should have provided evidence of being able to:
- understand and demonstrate coherent and detailed subject knowledge and professional competencies some of which will be informed by recent research/scholarship in the discipline;
- deploy accurately standard techniques of analysis and enquiry within the discipline;
- demonstrate a conceptual understanding which enables the development and sustaining of an argument;
- describe and comment on particular aspects of recent research and/or scholarship;
- appreciate the uncertainty, ambiguity and limitations of knowledge in the disciplines;
- make appropriate use of scholarly reviews and primary sources;
- apply their knowledge and understanding by initiating and carrying out an extended piece of work or project;
- conform to professional boundaries and norms where applicable.

On completion of the year/programme students should have provided evidence of being able to:

- demonstrate a familiarity with the basic concepts, information and techniques which are standard features of the discipline;
- use basic generic and subject specific intellectual qualities i.e.:
> be able to communicate the results of their work;
> present a structured and coherent simple argument;
> be able to interpret and evaluate the underlying concepts and principles of the discipline;
> display basic critical and analytical skills, placing arguments and sources in context;
- demonstrate an ability to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to problem solving associated with the discipline;
- appreciate their strengths and weaknesses as learners.

On completion of the year students should have provided evidence of being able to:

- demonstrate a familiarity with basic conceptual issues with respect to objectivity, truth and justification in science, as well as with the nature of technology using analytical themes and historical examples;
- obtain an overview of the history of modern science, technology & medicine;
- interpret and evaluate some key concepts and principles having to do with scientific discovery, justification, objectivity, truth, technological determinism, instrumentalism, ancient and modern science, scientific revolutions and scientific and technological change in general;
- understand and interpret historical sources relevant to the history of science;
- demonstrate an ability to appreciate the difference between taking a simple literal view and of adopting a critical interpretative approach.

Transferable (key) skills

The programme provides opportunities for students to practise and develop:
- the transferable/key/generic skills necessary for employment related to the area(s) studied;
- the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility;
- analytical and critical thinking;
- the deployment of decision making skills in complex and unpredictable situations;
- the communication of information, ideas, problems and solutions in a variety of ways to a variety of audiences;
- the ability to undertake further training of a professional or equivalent nature where appropriate.

Students will have had the opportunity to acquire, as defined in the modules specified for the programme:

- qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment in a plural society;
- skills necessary for the exercising of personal responsibility.

Assessment

The achievement of the programme outcomes will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will include:
- demonstrating the ability to apply a broad range of aspects of the disciplines;
- work that draws on a wide variety of material associated with the disciplines;
- the ability to evaluate and criticise received opinion;
- evidence of an ability to conduct independent, in depth enquiry within the disciplines;
- work that is both evaluative and creative.

Achievement will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will include:

- demonstrating the knowledge and application of standard concepts, information and techniques relevant to the discipline;
- work that covers a restricted area of the discipline;
- demonstrating emerging abilities, skills and competencies.