From: anw@maths.nott.ac.uk (Dr A. N. Walker)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.british
Subject: Re: Seeking information on modularization in UK
Date: 20 Nov 92 17:48:09 GMT
Reply-To: anw@maths.nott.ac.uk (Dr A. N. Walker)
Organization: Maths Dept., Nott'm Univ., UK.

In article <1992Nov19.090157.12649@maths.tcd.ie> dwilkins@maths.tcd.ie
(David Wilkins) writes:
>There is currently some discussion here on the merits and
>demerits of `modularization' and `semesterization' of the
>undergraduate degree.

	There has been some discussion here, too.  [Understatement.]

>Are most universities considering this?

	Yes.  Almost all, according to a table I saw a few months back.

>					  How do people
>react to the idea?

	Badly.  All change is bad.  Of course, every univ has *some*
people who want to drag it kicking and screaming into the Nth century
[choose N == 19, 20 or 21, to taste].

>		     Are there universities
>which have rejected modularization and/or semesterization?

	Some have "no plans to change" -- I think Cambridge was the most
decisive --;  others are waiting to see which way the cookie crumbles.
Personal view:  they will *all* be forced to come into line within three
or four years.

>Is semesterization seen as a necessary part of modularization?

	Yes, ultimately.  Again, I think that those univs which are *not*
semesterising will be forced into line.

>Where semesterization is adopted, are exams held twice a
>year, at the end of each semester, or is there an annual
>exam in June covering both semesters?

	The committee here which introduced S&M [of which I was a
somewhat dissident member] took it as an article of faith that each
module *had* to be completely examined *strictly* *within* the module.
Thus, two lots of exams.  Many departments -- almost all! -- objected
strenuously, but they were over-ridden on the grounds that any other
scheme imposed impossible constraints on part-time students, Erasmus
students, franchising schemes, AP(E)L, etc., etc.  Problems with
projects, vacation courses, failures, morale, "soak time", etc., have
been completely ignored;  there may be some chickens about to come home
to roost.  [February 1993, in our case.]

>					Are teaching semesters
>constructed within the traditional statutory terms,

	Temporarily, yes.  There are commitments here for some five
years or so hence which "cannot be avoided", according to the admin.
It is also very important that we stay roughly in line with all other
UK univs, else conferences near the start or finish of vacations
become fraught.

>						     or is
>it intended that this term structure be done away with
>entirely?

	Personal opinion again:  something will have to be done, but
there are several possible models.  It is probably more important that
all (or a large majority) of the (UK) univs do the same thing than that
that thing be ideal.  *Probably*, we will extend the Autumn term, so that
all teaching is done before Christmas, with exams [almost] immediately
at the start of the Spring term, and shorten the Summer term to match.
The more logical step of completing the first semester before Christmas
would be impossible unless a whole series of other moves also take place:
UCCA/PCAS dates, A-level dates, hence school exam dates, etc.  This would
need national co-ordination.  It's being looked at, but I don't know of
any concrete proposals yet.  [Not that I'm being consulted!]

-- 
Andy Walker, Maths Dept., Nott'm Univ., UK.
anw@maths.nott.ac.uk
Newsgroups: soc.culture.british