Assessment criteria for Theoretical Studies modules at OCA 1st

A+ 85%+ Exceptional Demonstration of subject Exceptional knowledge based knowledge and and understanding of understanding (25%) subject and context Broad and comparative understanding of subject content, knowledge of the appropriate historical, intellectual, cultural or institutional contexts. Demonstration of research skills (25%) Information retrieval and organisation, use of IT to assist research, ability to evaluate IT sources, the ability to design and carry out a research project, locate and evaluate evidence from a wide range of primary and secondary sources (visual, oral, aural or textual). Demonstration of critical and evaluation skills (25%) Engagement with concepts, values and debates, evidence of analysis, reflection, critical thinking, synthesis, interpretation in relation to relevant issues and enquiries (demonstrated in learning logs and, at levels 5 and 6, critical reviews and essays) Exceptional range of research from a wide range of sources, exceptional design and implementation of research project where appropriate. A 70-84% Excellent Excellent knowledge and understanding of subject and context

2.1
B 60-69% Very good Very good knowledge and understanding of subject and context

2.2
C 50-59% Good/Average Average knowledge and understanding of subject and context

3rd
D 40-49% Satisfactory Adequate knowledge and understanding of subject and context

Fail
E 30-39% F 29% or below Inadequate knowledge and understanding of subject and context

Limited knowledge and understanding of subject and context

Excellent range of research from a wide range of sources, excellent design and implementation of research project where appropriate.

Very good range of research from a wide range of sources, very good design and implementation of research project where appropriate.

Average range of research from a range of sources, average design and implementation of research project where appropriate.

Adequate range of Limited research research from a range of sources, adequate design and implementation of research project where appropriate.

Inadequate research

Exceptional critical skills, demonstrating a highly developed intellectual understanding and analytical ability.

Excellent critical skills, demonstrating a well developed intellectual understanding and analytical ability.

Very good critical skills, demonstrating a good intellectual understanding and analytical ability.

Average critical skills, demonstrating some intellectual understanding and analytical ability.

Adequate critical skills, demonstrating limited intellectual understanding and analytical ability.

Limited critical skills with little or no analytical ability.

Inadequate critical skills .

Communication (25%) Exceptional The ability to communicate communication of ideas ideas and knowledge in and knowledge written and spoken form, including presentation skills.

Excellent communication of ideas and knowledge

Very good communication of ideas and knowledge

Average communication of ideas and knowledge

Some ability to clearly Limited ability to communicate ideas communicate ideas and knowledge. and knowledge

Inadequate communication of ideas and knowledge

These assessment criteria should be used in conjunction with the level descriptions as described overleaf:

Feedback at different levels Level 4 is the acquisition of skills and good working habits. It is about students informing themselves about others work through reading and research. They are not expected to have developed a great deal of critical awareness -- if they have, this is a bonus. Feedback at Level 4 should focus on their success in acquiring the necessary skills and working habits, at the same time encouraging the student to expand their horizons and challenge their own limitations. At Level 5 the student continues to improve their skills and the quality of their critical awareness. But at this level, they should be starting to choose the direction of their thoughts in consultation with their tutor. This means that in addition to skills, feedback should reflect back to the student whether they are taking enough responsibility for the shaping of their own ideas, whether they are doing enough reading and whether they are clearly articulating their own views and backing them up with reasoned arguments. At Level 6 the quality of work will continue to improve, and the student can demonstrate evidence of judgement, and they should be developing their intellectual understanding of the theory and concepts underpinning their discipline. They should be able to critique various schools of thought as well as simply referring to them and perhaps even showing allegiance to particular philosophical or ideological trends.