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Diploma of Higher Education in Classical Studies - Learning outcomes

Educational aims

This is an intermediate programme that aims to provide you with:

  • a thorough grounding in the humanities alongside the development of discipline specific perspectives at OU level 2
  • the development and consolidation of skills of analysis, argument and expression
  • the ability to write well-argued essays and other specified written tasks, including work in a formal examination, and reflect on tutor feedback, and use this feedback to improve on future performance
  • the opportunity to enhance your personal development, both in terms of progressing towards a degree in a named subject through OU level 3 study, and awareness of the transferrable skills you have gained in the process of studying Classical Studies in conjunction with arts and humanities to diploma level

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this diploma, you will have knowledge and understanding of:

  • the political, social and cultural history of the Classical world
  • the different types of evidence and sources (literary, visual, and archaeological) utilised in the study of the Classical world
  • key approaches appropriate for the interpretation of the Classical world and its surviving evidence
  • the basic logic, structure and vocabulary of the Latin language.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this diploma, you will be able to:

  • analyse a wide range of sources
  • synthesise a wide range of different primary and secondary evidence and draw appropriate conclusions on the basis of this evidence
  • evaluate critically information and arguments presented in secondary sources and to construct and communicate an argument and conclusion
  • employ knowledge and understanding of the Latin language to translate simple prose into English and to evaluate primary sources in the original language, 

 

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this diploma, you will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

  • evaluate critically different sources of information, extract key points and present findings appropriately.
  • plan and write essays, following the conventions of scholarship in this subject area, and acknowledging the work of others
  • adapt working methods and monitor progress as a consequence of reflecting on the views of others and formal feedback.

 

Key skills

On completion of this diploma, you will be able to:

  • communicate complex ideas and arguments clearly and in ways that are appropriate to the subject, purpose and audience.
  • work independently, and develop your own learning strategies.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods

You will be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment, which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; e-learning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups; and community forums.

In the programme a range of types of assessment is used, in accordance with the recommendations of the national music benchmarking statement. Most modules include continuous assessment and an examinable component. The tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) that make up the continuous assessment component may take the form of essays, reflective writing, and reports, depending on the module and the level. The examinable component may take the form of a traditional unseen examination or a project.