INTRODUCTION TO GRADUATE STUDIES AND WRITING

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INTRODUCTION 1.What are your expectations of postgraduate studies at Daystar University? 2.What do you hope to be able to do after completion of your studies that you cant do now?

What should be the generic learning outcomes of a post-graduate masters degree training program? What generic competencies, knowledge and skills should the graduate be able to demonstrate How should postgraduate students demonstrate their competence in their areas of specialization

MASTER'S DEGREES ARE AWARDED TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED: A systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice A comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship Originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline

CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING THAT ENABLES THE STUDENT: To evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline To evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.

TYPICALLY, HOLDERS OF THE QUALIFICATION WILL BE ABLE TO: deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level and continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level.

AND HOLDERS WILL HAVE: The qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring: – The exercise of initiative and personal responsibility – Decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations – The independent learning ability required for continuing professional development.

1 ST ASSIGNMENT Pick a book of your choice that has been published in the last five years. Any discipline is welcome. Read it critically Write a 1.5 page (Times New Roman, font size 12, double spaced, and margins set at 1cm all round) critical evaluation of the book touching on the following: – A summary of the book for a person who has not read it and justification for your choice? – What do you consider the books’ valuable contribution? – What do you consider the books major weaknesses, failures or silences? – Indicate what evidence, from other books, makes you pass the above judgment? In your critical evaluation please provide the following information: 1.Name of the author, title of the book, place of publication, publisher and year of publication 2.Provide the same information for any other book you refer to in your evaluation Deadline: on or before 31 st January 2014