Institute of Humanities and Creative Arts

LLN Herefordshire & Worcestershire Big Projects Fund 2009/10

‘A model for enhancing and embedding employability and supporting progression in

curricula for the humanities’

Project Background

• Humanities students face an extended transition from study to ‘graduate level’ employment

• Previous subject-led initiatives to support employability have had poor take up, yet

• A survey of all UW English students articulated the high level of anxiety about future employability

Objectives of Project

• To research and develop a model for embedding employability activities and supporting progression within the curriculum across Humanities subjects in IHCA

• To develop a pilot programme and test the model in 4 subjects (English, Drama, Sociology and Media & Cultural Studies)

• To embed across all humanities subjects and to disseminate across UW and beyond

Initial (Sept 09) actions

• ‘Away Day’ for all Institute staff with guest presentations to ‘raise consciousness’ and seek Project Steering group membership

• Formation of Steering Group with Subject Champions (teaching remission), external consultant, Rose Watson and others

• Survey with all new student intake in induction in pilot subject re consciousness of progression and aspirations

• Survey of Institute staff (diverse subject areas) on existing employability/progression related activities within the curriculum

Curriculum activities

• Participative presentation by consultant in each pilot subject induction session to raise awareness

• Two classroom activity sessions on progression in each level 4 pilot subject mandatory ‘skills’ module delivered by subject champion (designed in consultation with external consultant)

• Development of two activities for level 5 (one an on-line activity/quiz for Blackboard) and second for classroom delivery in semester 2

In development for Level 6

• Generic handbook for personal tutors for discussion of employability/progression questions and signposts and support mechanisms to be used by PTs in tutorials

• Web based materials for each pilot subject for subject Blackboard pages (all levels but especially level 6) to include CV writing, subject specific web sites, contacts, advice

Further work for project 2010

• Employer database of Humanities contacts• Employer ‘lunch’ to elicit offers of work

placements, participants for a Humanities employment fair, guest speakers, input to the project and materials more generally

• Student/subject focus groups to involve students at all levels in project aspirations and evaluations

• Second ‘Away Day’ for Institute staff to consult on embedding of project activities materials e.g. timing and delivery of activities; mandatory nature of activities etc.

Consultation,dissemination and embedding activities

• Second ‘Away Day’ for Institute staff to consult on embedding of project activities materials e.g. timing and delivery of activities; mandatory nature of activities; inclusion of additional LOs in modules etc.

• Using feedback from first delivery to compile/develop/edit activities for curriculum delivery (levels 4 and 5) in a format that can be used by any lecturer (not just project champions) in the classroom

• Further updating on-line materials and activities and establishing responsibility for maintenance

• Plan of role out across the Institute for Sept 2010 and final report and evaluation of project (May 2010)