About the School of Humanities
The School of Humanities was established August 1998 when the Faculty of Arts was re-structured into five Schools. The Faculty has recently had a further restructure which has led to the merger between the School of Humanities and the School of History to form a new School of Humanities incorporating 7 departments which are Archaeology, Art History, Classics, Music, History, Philosophy and Theology and Religious Studies.
School aims and objectives
The following strategic aims and specific objectives are reviewed annually:
Research
Strategic aim: To promote, develop and disseminate outstanding research and a vibrant research culture across the School and its Departments.
Specific objectives
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to promote and support high-quality research output by School staff
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to support staff research through effective funding and research leave arrangements
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to enhance the School’s success in winning research funding, by encouraging and supporting staff in seeking funding and carrying out funded projects
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to enhance the recruitment of postgraduate research students and support them through effective supervision and research training
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to enhance research collaboration by School staff and research students both internationally and nationally, as well as across the University
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to promote a stimulating research environment in each of the School’s departments through workshops, colloquia and other research activities
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to monitor and promote research effectively across the School through the School and Departmental Research Committees
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to achieve as excellent a result as possible in each of the School’s units of assessment in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise and in subsequent research assessments
Teaching and Learning
Strategic aim: To provide a rich, varied and high-quality learning experience for students and equip them with a curiosity-driven and deep understanding of their subject, a critical approach and skills relevant to their future careers.
Specific objectives
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to meet HEU undergraduate recruitment targets and widen participation through effective recruitment strategies
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to maintain and if possible enhance the recruitment of taught postgraduates and international students
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to develop and refresh the School’s taught course provision through effective course design and management
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to support and promote stimulating and effective teaching across the School
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to assure robust and high-quality assessment throughout the School’s courses
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to provide effective pastoral support to students through personal tutors and the PARs system
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to provide effective support for students with disabilities through the implementation and monitoring of the School Disability Action Plan
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to maintain and assure quality standards through the School and Departmental Teaching Committees, associated Student/Staff Feedback Committees and by annual monitoring and periodic review
Staffing, Management and Resources
Strategic aim: To attract, retain, motivate and support staff of the highest quality, and to conduct the management of the School and its Departments and utilise and develop its resources for the most effective promotion of its aims in teaching, learning and research.
Specific objectives
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to motivate and reward staff through the effective operation of the Activity and Performance Review and promotions processes
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to support new staff through effective induction and mentoring
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to ensure a fair distribution of duties between staff
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to promote staff development, including equal opportunities and disability awareness
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to manage the business of the School and its Departments as efficiently as possible through the officers and committees, and to seek enhanced efficiency through streamlining administrative processes across the School while maintaining the distinctive identity of the Departments
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to deploy the School’s financial resources as efficiently and fairly as possible and to keep the School’s financial strategy under review with a view to maintaining surplus
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to ensure that Library and IT resources, including e-learning, are used to the full to support teaching, learning and research
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ensure the safety and health of staff in the School