ABSTRACT
This involves two categories of modules, compulsory core modules and optional specialist modules, from which students make their own choices in order to fulfil the number of geography module credits required. In the advanced compulsory modules these six categories are expanded to include more advanced skills, including in particular the development of critical thinking and evaluation skills since it undermines the central benefit of any modular system as a freedom of choice. The first stage, to be the identification of the relevant skills, a task of considerable complexity, identifies broad categories such as communication and information technology. The second stage, integration of skills into the academic structure, is more straightforward. In the remaining core modules students increasingly take on responsibility for their own and their peers learning, with staff being seen as one of a range of resources available. Label as personal transferable skills are, of course, tools of our academic trade.
