Module: BMA4005-20 Professional Practice

Level: 4

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Paul Dowson

Module Tutor Contact Details: p.dowson@bathspa.ac.uk

1.Brief description and aims of module:

This module introduces you to the core concepts of: professionalism; professional practice including reflective practice; and personal development planning. It aims to provide you with a more acute understanding of what you currently offer a potential employer and how to develop and market yourself to stand-out in your prospective career area. You will be encouraged through increased skills and strengths awareness. You will also gain a perspective that Professional Development (PD) is intrinsic to Higher Education and your experience of University.

In this module, you will be able to demonstrate the following Graduate Attributes:

Employable: equipped with the knowledge and appreciation of your skills;

Digitally literate: combining creativity and technological understanding, in for example the production of a poster and a portfolio;

Critical thinking: achieved through reflective practice, to be self-aware and aware of others;

Ethically aware: prepared for professional responsibility with an awareness of personal values and the central significance of business responsibility/ethics.

2.Outline syllabus:

The module will be structured around introducing you to the following areas:

- Professional student practice

- Professional business skills

- Personal development planning

- Career development planning

- Professional identity and personal branding

- The professional and boundaries

- The professional and client/colleague care

- Professionalism and reflective practice

- Professional responsibility and values

- Professional management and leadership

You will be expected to contribute to your learning through participation in the teaching programme and through independent study. There will a balance between working with others and independent learning.

3.Teaching and learning activities:

Teaching in the module will consist of 2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of workshops per week. The purpose of the lectures is to provide you with introductory overviews of the topics covered in the module. Within lectures you will be expected to take notes and given the 2 hours, there will be ample opportunity for your questions. The workshops will build on and apply the learning from lectures. They will be participative in nature, and we will use a variety of different teaching methods to enable a clear comprehension of the module’s topic areas.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Poster presentation

• % Weighting: 40%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: PD portfolio (2500 words)

• % Weighting: 60%