University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2021/22 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Arts > School of Modern Languages > Comparative Literatures and Cultures (MA) > Specification
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Programme code | 1MODL009T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Siobhan Shilton
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Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
School/department | School of Modern Languages |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full or Part Time |
Programme length |
1 years (full time)
2 years (part time) |
This programme aims to provide students with the opportunity to study literatures and cultures in comparison across Europe and beyond. Students will be given a thorough grounding in cultural theory, critical reading and research skills, and put this theoretical knowledge into practice through the study of topics and themes which span the disciplines, national contexts and time periods taught by experts in the School of Modern Languages. These include nine areas of language expertise (Catalan, Czech, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Slovak and Spanish) and the disciplines of text, cultural studies, history and politics, film and visual cultures, linguistics and translation, extending from the Medieval period to the contemporary.
Students will develop their knowledge of the theory and practice of comparative cultural and literary study. They will become acquainted with the theory and practice of ‘comparative’ cultural study, and consider how concepts of national cultures cross borders and interact with ideas of the global and transnational. Students will also have the opportunity to specialise in areas of national and comparative cultural enquiry. Students will also develop their practical research skills and techniques, including bibliographic work, writing skills and developing research themes and key questions. They will reflect on the transferability of such skills, both as preparation for postgraduate research and in careers outside the academy.
Whilst language knowledge is not a requirement of this programme, students are encouraged to study language at an appropriate level and to engage with language-specific material within their individual study. Through engagement with languages they will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of national and transnational cultures.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Learning/teaching methods and strategies: a)The acquisition of knowledge and understanding through structured, interactive seminars and group work. b) Allocation of directed reading and individual research topics, to be presented to group as appropriate. c) Individual study and preparation for summative assessment. d) Group and individual feedback on each formative and summative assessment. e) Discussion-board analysis of research topics and strategies. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Types/methods of assessment: a) Assessed essays b) Research presentations c) Reflective responses to reading (formative) d) Summative assessment of discussion-board presentation of dissertation projects e) Dissertation-length research project |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Learning/teaching methods and strategies: a)Seminar and group discussions of the theory and practice of cultural studies. b) Individual and group presentations c) The production of essay- and dissertation-length analyses on cultural and literary topics. d) Discussion-board evaluation of research topics and approaches. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Types/methods of assessment: As above: this is an integrated programme, in which all methods of assessment are designed to work collectively to develop a range of intellectual skills. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Learning/teaching methods and strategies: The programme requires and develops a wide range of transferrable skills. Seminar-based discussion encourages network and peer feedback on a regular basis. The structure of assessment necessitates independent study and reflective analysis of work. The dissertation develops advanced research, writing and time-management skills. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Types/methods of assessment: As above: this is an integrated programme, in which all methods of assessment are designed to work collectively to develop a range of intellectual skills. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
N/A |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
N/A |
Level H/6 - Honours |
N/A |
Level M/7 - Masters |
N/A |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
Students will become familiar with the main theoretical and disciplinary approaches to culture and literature, and put these into practice studying cultural concepts in a range of national contexts and time periods. They will develop an understanding of the role of context and encounter in understanding culture. Through peer discussion, presentation and essay writing, they will learn to develop and articulate their own reflections on culture and literature. They will also have the opportunity to develop their language skills. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
Students will continue to develop their theoretical and analytical skills, undertaking options that allow them to expand their own interests in cultural and literary analysis. Their ability to work as independent researchers will be developed through their undertaking of a research training unit in preparation for the dissertation. They may also have the opportunity to shape their own essay project through the Special Subject unit. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
The dissertation will act as the culmination of the student’s progress through the degree programme. Students will deploy and develop the skills and understanding acquired so far by writing an original, research based dissertation on a cultural or literary topic within an appropriate theoretical framework, in collaboration with a supervisor in the School of Modern Languages. |
Level D/8 - Doctoral |
N/A |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
All non-English texts on mandatory core units will be taught in English translation. Students familiar with the relevant language will however be encouraged to study texts in the original, with support from literary specialists in the School of Modern Languages where this programme is based.
Tuition on this programme will be provided by academic staff from within and outside the School of Modern Languages. Representatives of third sector careers will participate in research training.
Professor Robert Vilain/Dr Claire Shaw, School of Modern Languages, University of Bristol, 17 Woodland Road, Bristol, BS8 1TE
The unit pass mark for the MA in Comparative Literatures and Cultures is 50.
The programme pass mark is 50.
Students require 60 credits at the end of TB1 to progress to the next stage of the programme.
Students require 120 credits at the end of TB2 to progress to the dissertation stage.
A merit may be awarded to a student who obtains an average of 60% for stages 1 and 2, and 60% for the dissertation.
A distinction may be awarded to a student who obtains an average of 65% for stages 1 and 2, and 70% for the dissertation.
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
The pass mark for an M/7 unit is 50 out of 100.
Part time students will have to successfully complete 60 credits at M/7 level to progress to year 2.
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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