Discourse Learning and Teaching in Philosophical and Religious Studies Discourse: Learning and Teaching in Philosophical and Religious Studies Editor: Dr David J Mossley Deputy Editor: Julie Closs If you have any comments or queries If you have any comments or queries about the content featured in about production or distribution Discourse, please contact the editor issues, please contact the deputy on: editor on: +44(0)113 343 6745 +44(0)113 343 7856 [email protected] [email protected] Distributed freely to all individuals and PRS departments in UK Higher Education and to those registered in our subject areas. Editorial board: Prof Hugh Pyper Dr Gary Bunt Prof Denise Cush AUDTRS Academic Co-ordinator Chair representative Subject Centre for PRS Department of Study of Department of Biblical University of Wales, Religions Studies Lampeter Bath Spa University University of Sheffield Ms Danielle Lamb Joachim Aufderheide, Amanda Montgomery Project manager BPPA representative British Undergraduate Subject Centre for PRS University of St Andrews Philosophy Society University of Leeds (BUPS) representative Dr Dominic Corrywright University of Dundee Dr Rebecca O’Loughlin BASR Representative Academic Co-ordinator Department of Religious Prof Mark Addis Subject Centre for PRS Studies BPA representative University of Leeds Oxford Brookes Birmingham City University University Mr George MacDonald Ross Prof Steven French, Dr James Wilson Director British Society for the Intute: Humanities Subject Centre for PRS Philosophy of Science University of Oxford University of Leeds (BSPS) representative Department of Dr Clare Saunders Philosophy Academic Co-ordinator University of Leeds Subject Centre for PRS University of Leeds Prof Graeme Gooday BSHS Representative Dr Simon Smith Department of Co-Director Philosophy Subject Centre for PRS University of Leeds University of Leeds 2 Discourse: Volume 9, Number 1, Autumn 2009 The journal of the Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies of the Higher Education Academy Contents Editorial............................................................................................................................................ 4 News and information The Higher Education Academy.......................................................................................... 7 The Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies..................................8 Departmental Visits and Workshops.................................................................................. 9 HumBox, JISC and the HEA Open Educational Resources Programme....................................................................................................................................10 Publications and Conferences..............................................................................................12 Discussion, Reports,Articles and Practical Teaching The Discourse Interview George MacDonald Ross.....................................................................................................17 Student Focus Group Report Rebecca O’Loughlin...............................................................................................................33 Tandem Learning and Interfaith Dialogue Christian Kaestner................................................................................................................55 PRS Beyond Boundaries Andy Cochrane and Clare Saunders................................................................................77 Wot u @ uni 4? Brendan Larvor and John Lippitt........................................................................................93 What is Autonomous Learning? Keith Crome, Ruth Farrar and Patrick O’Connor.......................................................111 The 14-19 Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences George MacDonald Ross...................................................................................................127 The Virtues of Thinking Pete Worley...........................................................................................................................143 Young Dogs, New Tricks Nick Jones.............................................................................................................................151 Inclusion of Ethnic Minorities in Philosophy A-Level at an FE College Sally Latham..........................................................................................................................155 Weaving Philosophy into the Fabric of Cultural Life David Rose...........................................................................................................................165 Only Connect: A Web-based Approach to Supporting Student Learning Stephen Timmons................................................................................................................183 The Value of Studying Philosophy for PG Research Students in Nursing Stephen Timmons,Alastair Morgan,Alison Edgley and Jennifer Park......................195 Exploring Formation for Ministry in a Learning Church Michael Delashmutt............................................................................................................211 Foundation Degrees for Ministerial Training Louise Redshaw...................................................................................................................237 About Discourse........................................................................................................................ 256 3 Editorial—Disciplines and Progression Welcome to the eighteenth distinctiveness of the edition of Discourse.You will disciplines that provide our no doubt have noticed that current academic identities, or this is a bumper edition; we are we to embrace an have included the normal range increasingly inter- and trans- of papers and reports together disciplinary world where with presentations from our differences are eroded? A rain successful summer conference, forest contains more diversity —A-Level Above? Progression and supports a greater to Undergraduate Studies in number of individuals than a Philosophy (St Anne’s College, monoculture, and once it is Oxford, 2-3 July 2009). destroyed it cannot be regenerated; so defending and We are entering a period of promoting our distinct uncertainty and change: the full contributions to the UK’s HE fall-out from the banking crisis landscape may be more and recession will be felt pressing now than ever before. across the public sector very soon; there is much discussion Here at the Subject Centre we about how the REF will hope the range of pedagogical capture and measure ‘impact’ research and evidence in research, particularly in the informed practice that we humanities; and the publication have funded, encouraged, of Higher Ambitions and Skills for initiated and published over Growth by BIS gives an the last nine years and indication of how teaching in continue to develop will the UK HE sector will be provide a significant grounding expected to address for your own demonstrations expectations in a globalised that learning and teaching in market producing graduates of our disciplines is unique and the future. But we do not worthy of future development know in any detailed way how and enhancement. diversity and disciplinarity fare in this future.Will we be asked to promote and enhance the 4 This issue of Discourse opens We hope 2010 is a fruitful year with an interview with George for you. MacDonald Ross who retired as Director of the Subject Best wishes Centre this summer. George’s vision and insights have guided David the Subject Centre from its inception and his own Dr David Mossley commitment to subject-specific Editor of Discourse and teaching practices has long Manager of the Subject Centre been recognised and widely appreciated.There are three pieces on Subject Centre related projects including a report on our Student Focus Group work. The conference papers begin ‘Wot u @ uni 4?’ which also explores student expectations of philosophy. Many of the papers highlight difficulties and challenges faced by the diverse range of students now coming to study philosophy at university, and how their experiences in a changing school and FE context affect their studies.We hope that the outcomes of this conference, although specifically for philosophy, will be of value to others. 5 News and Information 6 The Higher Education Academy he Higher Education Academy’s mission is to help institutions, discipline groups and all staff to provide the best possible Tlearning experience for their students. Its aims and objectives are: 1. To be an authoritative and independent voice on policies that influence student learning experiences; 2. To support institutions in their strategies for improving the student learning experience; 3. To lead, support and inform the professional development and recognition of staff in higher education; 4. To promote good practice in all aspects of support for the student learning experience; 5. To lead the development of research and evaluation to improve the quality of the student learning experience; 6. To be a responsive, efficient and accountable organisation. http://www.heacademy.ac.uk The Subject Network The Subject Network is a network of 24 subject centres based in higher education institutions throughout the UK. It is funded by the four HE funding bodies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It aims to promote high quality learning and teaching through development and