|
Course and programme monitoring and evaluation
All new courses require the approval of the School's Board of Studies, at which, among other matters, the aims and objectives and learning outcomes of proposed courses are considered and approved. This Committee also approves the programme specifications for all degree and diploma programmes offered by the School, which are based upon templates provided by the College. Once a course has been launched, the primary responsibility for ensuring that a high standard of teaching, assessment and feedback is maintained rests with the Course Organiser. Students can feed back their comments on these issues via the online fora which operate on the School's dedicated course websites page, via the class representatives (chosen from among the student body) who meet at least once a semester with the course organiser, and through the anonymous course questionnaires which students complete at the end of the course and which form an integral part of the course Audit File.
Course Organisers are required to maintain the course Audit File, and ensure that it contains all the required QAE documentation, including an audit continuity sheet (outlining audit continuity matters carried over from the previous session), a report on course questionnaires, the minutes of meetings held between course organiser and class representative, student assessment performance data, and an annual report by the course organiser on the delivery of the course. The Audit Files for every course delivered in the Law School are read annually by the School's Director of Teaching and the QAE Director. This annual review of Course Audit files forms the basis of the QAE Director's Annual Report, which includes a general review of the QAE state of health of all courses, as well as specific comments and recommendations where appropriate. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences considers this Annual Report and makes any comments which it feels appropriate on it, and any recommendations as to action to be taken. Information on this College monitoring process is available here.
Further student input on QAE matters across our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes is provided via the Staff-Student Liaison Committee, and through student representation at Law School plenary meetings and on School sub-committees.
External monitoring of the quality of the Law School's teaching, assessment and feedback to students is provided via the School's External Examiners. These external examiners annually approve the course guides setting out the aims and objectives and learning outcomes of each course, as well as the teaching arrangements, forms of assessment, and procedures for providing feedback to students on their performance. External examiners moderate all internal marking, and are present at the School's Examination Boards to ratify the marks to be awarded and comment on the assessment process. In addition, External Examiners provide an annual report on every course offered in the Law School. These reports are considered in detail by the Head of School, the QAE Director, and Course Organisers, and form part of every course Audit File. External Examiners are provided with guidance on their duties and responsibilities by the College.
Useful assistance is provided in relation to course monitoring and evaluation by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences
| |
