Personal Development and Academic Skills (5cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

Taking into account the diversity of the student group, this module provides the
necessary foundation for students to cope with academic work at post-graduate level
and to participate effectively in this international and multicultural programme. By the end
of this module, students will have acquired knowledge and skills for coping with
academic work at this level, in relation to effective reading, critical analysis and English
writing skills in academic contexts. The module also provides information on the
organisation and practices of the EUMASLI programme itself and provides introductions
to resources and study tools used throughout the programme. The module thereby
provides the necessary transferrable skills needed throughout the programme and
beyond.

Accomplishment methods

Teaching methods
Sessions in relation to this module will take place at each semester 1 block seminar,
followed by preparatory self-study phases.
- In phase A1 (22hs), students will undertake a number of self-study tasks, including i. the creation of an introductory poster; ii. a reading task, iii. keeping an academic
journal.
- Phase B1 (12hs) will take place at the first block seminar at Heriot-Watt University.
Students will take part in a series of lectures and workshops that will introduce
aspects of academic reading and writing at an advanced level as well as study and
learning resources available throughout the programme.
- During phase A2 (15hs), the self-study time between the Heriot-Watt and
Magdeburg block seminars, students will produce two entries of an Annotated
Bibliography.
- During phase B2 (4hs), students will attend sessions at the Magdeburg block
seminar, where feedback on submitted annotated bibliographies will be provided in
the form of group tutorials and local resources will be introduced.
- During phase A3 (35hs), students will produce further four entries of an Annotated
Bibliography.
- Phase B3 (12 hours), will complete the taught component of the module at the
Humak block seminar. Sessions on academic writing and reading, as well as project
and time management, will build up on sessions taught during phase B1.
Additionally, students will be introduced to local resources.
- Phase C (50hs) completes the module. Drawing on feedback provided on the
submitted annotated bibliographies, students will produce a literature review on a
specific topic.
- (There is no phase D planned for this module).

Content

Contents
Sessions will focus on topics such as:
- Academic reading and critical engagement with literature
- Academic writing and English in academic contexts
- Referencing conventions
- Study resources available across the three partner universities and beyond
- Introduction to Vision, the Blackboard-based virtual learning platform used
throughout the programme
- Data and literature search and using relevant resources available on- and offcampus
- Project and time management