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Departmental Code of Practice

The relationship of student and member of staff is based on a shared commitment to learning that entails responsibilities on both sides. The following code helps to define what is expected from you by the Department, and what you in turn are entitled to expect.

General Matters

What you should expect of us:

• We aim to be a friendly and accessible department, in which a number of people should be available regularly in term-time, unless absent with good reason, to deal with your questions and possible problems.
• Your tutors should have Open Consultation/Academic Advisory posted in the Department and on the Departmental web pages, when you may consult them about any appropriate matter. Office hours are not only for disciplinary matters and / or problem management; they are dedicated hours in which students can approach any member of the Department about any aspect of their studies.
• The Department will do whatever it can to assist you, within the Rules and Guidelines of the University, if you are having problems, provided we are aware of these problems.

What we expect of you:

• You enrol properly and in good time for all courses and all years.
• You familiarise yourself with your lecture and seminar timetable before teaching begins each term. Seminars are timetabled centrally in the same way as lectures, meaning that your seminar times will be allocated to you. Please use Moodle to familiarise yourself with these times and locations. If, for exceptional reasons, you feel you need to change your seminar times, requests to do so should be submitted in writing to the Director of Undergraduate Studies for Students, who will consider your case. Please note that the office will not be able to make changes to your timetable without this approval.
• Wherever possible, you try to consult with members of staff in their office hours.
• You familiarise yourself with the assessment requirements of all courses, participating in presentations, attending all in-class tests and exams, and submitting coursework on time.
• You are prepared, as far as possible, to inform the Department (by contacting the appropriate Departmental person or your College Office, College Senior Tutor, the Counselling Service, Student Based Services or the Students’ Union Advice Centre)  of any factors, personal, financial, or academic which impair your ability to work for your degree to the best of your ability. It is your responsibility to seek help if you are experiencing difficulties.

Lectures

What you should expect of us:

• Lectures that are clear, audible, relevant, interesting and stimulating (and that finish on time). Please note that there are many different ways of delivering material.
• We will take account of any special needs of any members of the class, when made aware of them in advance.

What we expect of you:

• Where appropriate, read for the lecture in advance.
• Arrive on time and behave in a courteous, considerate fashion, so as not to distract anyone (including the lecturer). This includes not talking to your neighbours or using a mobile phone during a lecture.
• Alert the lecturer to any aspects of the environment which impair concentration.
• Listen actively, taking concise, thoughtful notes.

English Literature Seminars

What you should expect of us:

• The tutor will be punctual, and will also end the class on time (10 minutes before the hour).
• S/he will let the class know in advance what the text or topic for discussion will be. This Handbook will give a general guide to seminar topics week-by-week, and additional information may be provided on LUVLE.
• S/he will respect and encourage everyone in the group to contribute to discussion, will help refine discussion, and will contribute to the discussion her/himself.
• S/he will adopt methods of discussion which enable everyone to participate.

What we expect of you:

• You are required to attend seminars in all courses for which you are registered. We will keep a record of any that you miss. If, for any reason, you have to miss one, you must inform your tutor (or one of the Part II Secretaries), preferably in advance, and certainly before the following seminar, why you were absent.  You should check what is required for the next session. See also the Attendance Requirements and Progress Monitoring section of this Handbook.
• You will arrive in good time.
• You will have prepared properly for the seminar by reading the text, thinking about it, making useful notes, and considering any questions or issues, including those posted on course LUVLE sites. You will normally be expected to bring a copy of the primary text to class.
• You contribute actively to the discussion to the best of your ability, and make contributions courteously and in the spirit of debate.

Creative Writing Workshops

What you should expect of us:

• The tutor will be punctual and end the class on time.
• S/he will respect and encourage everyone in the group to contribute to the discussion, and will participate in the discussion her/himself.
• S/he will adopt methods which help everyone in the group to participate in the workshop, help refine discussion and foster a spirit of effective creative debate.
• S/he will focus the group’s attention on particular issues and be alert to the individual creative needs of participating writers.

What we expect of you:

• You are required to attend workshops in all courses for which you are registered. We will keep a record of any that you miss. If, for any reason, you have to miss one, you must inform your tutor (or one of the Part II Secretaries), preferably in advance, and certainly before the following seminar, why you were absent.  You should check what is required for the next session. See also the Attendance Requirements and Progress Monitoring section of this Handbook.
• Punctuality.
• Preparation. You must submit work as directed by your tutor, and be prepared to receive feedback on the work submitted. You must read the work submitted by your peers, make concise and useful notes, and be prepared to contribute to the workshop discussion to the best of your ability.
• When you receive feedback on your work, you should reflect upon it and redraft work with these reflections in mind.
• Contributions to the discussion should be made in a spirit of mutual respect and generosity of spirit. They should be analytical, diagnostic and developmental, rather than subjective and impressionistic.

English Literature Assignments

What you should expect of us:

• Adequate warning of what work will be required, and when. This information will be posted on the course LUVLE site.
• Titles for essays should be posted no later than four weeks before the relevant deadline.
• Tutors will be available in office hours to discuss assignments.
• Tutors will return all essays (with the exception of exam-equivalent assessment, which is not returned) submitted by the deadline not later than four weeks after the deadline. The coversheet of the essay will carry the tutor’s main comments on the essay, which will explain the recommended mark.
• Tutors will advise on the return of coursework. Please do not ask for it at the Part II Office unless directed to do so.

What we expect of you:

• Essays that are written fully in accordance with whatever special course instructions tutors have given you.
• Essays completed by the specified deadline, and submitted with a coversheet attached, via the appropriate essay box in the Departmental Mixing Bay and online via LUVLE as directed.
• Essays that are fully and correctly referenced, and completely free from plagiarism. Please see the Malpractice and Referencing your Work sections of this Handbook.
• Essays that are presented in full conformity to the Departmental Style Sheet. This is available on the Student Portal on the Departmental web pages.
• Reflect on the advice, suggestions and corrections offered throughout your marked essays and on the coversheets and endeavour to respond to these suggestions in future work.
• Seek help for any serious problems that have been identified.

Creative Writing Portfolios

What you should expect of us:

• Adequate warning of what work will be required, and when.
• Tutors will be available in office hours or personal tutorials to discuss your portfolio submission.
• Formative feedback on your portfolio in the second year, in preparation for third year courses.

What we expect of you:

• Portfolios which meet the guidelines given by tutors and in this Handbook.
• Portfolios that are submitted by the deadline, with a coversheet attached, via the appropriate essay box and online as directed.
• Portfolios that are correctly and thoughtfully presented, and completely free from plagiarism. Please see the Malpractice and Referencing your Work sections of this Handbook.
• You will have reflected on the advice, suggestions and corrections offered throughout the teaching year, redrafted your work as a result of these reflections, and submitted a portfolio representative of this process.

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