Creative Industries and Professional Development

Module Provider: Film, Theatre and TV
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7

Summary module description:
The module is designed to develop students career planning and professional self-presentation skills with an integrated programme of classes, visiting speakers, and assignments, supported by the University?s Careers Centre.

Aims:
The central aim of the module is to develop students? awareness of the employment sector and their own skills in order to prepare them to effectively seeking work. Students will develop an understanding of the importance of self-presentation, teamwork and the construction of an entrepreneurial creative identity. They will become familiar the support offered to them by the University?s Careers Centre, some of the potential employment opportunities in the creative sector and how their university experience prepares them for work in this or related areas.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:
?produce a CV and cover letter for future job searches;
?demonstrate awareness of how their digital identity impacts their self-presentation;
?demonstrate an informed understanding of the requirements of the employment sector;
?demonstrate a critical awareness of alumni?s current roles and the steps needed to achieve these;
?demonstrate an understanding of how their present skills and experience relate to the job market and plan for future development;
?create a company website using Wordpress or other software;
?present a pitch for a project and demonstrate understanding of the elements needed for a successful presentation.

Additional outcomes:
The module plays a significant role in the continuing development of other skills and competencies that are central to the course. It is expected that the level of skills and competencies achieved in the following will be appropriate to the level of study: oral communication and argument in group situations; deployment of research using printed and electronic resources; critical analysis and coherent argument; undertaking self-directed, independent work; presentation of written work using IT.

Outline content:
The module will consist of a series of lectures, workshops and independent group work.
There will be individual sessions on: Researching the job market and effective self-presentation; Creative CVs, company websites and The Pitch; Pitching yourself and your project parts 1 and 2. Across the term alumni will give talks to the students about their career and their current positions.
Students will undergo 4 linked assessments which build into a final portfolio with reflective report: Research jobs and produce covering letter and CV for prospective work experience opportunity; In groups set up a company website including individual creative CVs; Present The Pitch for a company start-up funds bid; Produce a CMS Portfolio including reflective report
Global context:
The module focuses on the UK creative sector however the skills learnt are transferable to other international countries.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The teaching pattern will be a series of sessions across the term, accompanied by guided independent study and student meetings with staff from Careers Centre. Sessions will include short lectures from staff members; talks by alumni, staff from Careers Centre and Henley Business School; groupwork workshops.

Contact hours:
Lectures- 10
Seminars- 10
Supervised time in studio/workshop- 10
Guided indpendent study- 70
Total hours by term- 100
Total hours for module- 100

Summative Assessment Methods:
Written assignment including essay- 80%
Oral assessment and presentation- 20%

Other information on summative assessment:
The assessment consists of a group presentation, a portfolio and reflective report. However, alternative assessment methods of equivalent weight (for example, presentation) may be used.

Formative assessment methods:
Assignments 1 and 2 are formative, but must be completed to progress in the module and will form part of the final portfolio.

Length of examination:
N/A

Requirements for a pass:
An overall mark of 40%.

Reassessment arrangements:
Resubmission of failed coursework.