University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2018/19 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Arts > School of Modern Languages > Black Humanities (MA) > Specification
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Programme code | 1MODL010T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Jose Lingna Nafafe
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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 Time |
Programme length | 1 years (full time) |
This MA programme offers students the opportunity to study Black Humanities through a critical engagement with histories, philosophies, literature and the arts, relating to black and diasporic communities both locally and globally. It offers students an opportunity to study the legacies of Atlantic slavery, using Bristol as a case study, alongside a broader enquiry into current debates in black histories, philosophy, archaeology and anthropology, literature, music and art history. It will equip students with relevant research skills, and enable them to explore different theories of culture relating to black and diasporic communities across transnational boundaries. Through the degree, students will gain an interdisciplinary and inclusive engagement with black intellectual history across a range of periods and locations. Students will be encouraged to engage constructively with some of the many different ways in which black identities have been understood, ranging from a focus on communities of Africa and the African Diaspora, to inclusive conceptions of political blackness in Britain.
There are various routes to employment from the MA in Black Humanities, thanks to its analysis of many critical and timely issues that affect contemporary culture, society, policy and heritage. The strength of the MA Black Humanities is its intercultural perspective, its links to local Bristol arts organisations, and its foregrounding of African Atlantic culture and histories. On completion of this MA, students will be equipped to critically engage with issues concerning what it means to be black and engage with histories of black African and African diaspora subjectivities today. It has a terrific intercultural and interdisciplinary skills of great benefit to employers.
In addition, students will develop their practical research skills and techniques, including research methods, 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.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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The acquisition of knowledge and understanding through structured, interactive seminars and group work. Allocation of directed reading and individual research topics, to be presented to group as appropriate. Individual study and preparation for summative assessment. Group and individual feedback on each formative and summative assessment. Discussion-board analysis of research topics and strategies. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Assessed essays Research presentations Summative assessment of discussion-board presentation of dissertation projects Dissertation research project (15000 words) |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Seminar and group discussions of the theory and practice of Black Humanities culture, historical, artistic, archaeological and anthropological, diasporic, philosophical, and cultural studies. Individual and group presentations The production of essay- and dissertation-length analyses on Black Humanities culture, historical, artistic, archaeological and anthropological, diasporic, philosophical, cultural and literary topics. Discussion-board evaluation of research topics and approaches. |
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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The programme requires and develops a wide range of transferable 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 | |
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 M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
Students will become familiar with the main theoretical and disciplinary approaches to Black Humanities culture, history, arts, archaeology and anthropology, diaspora, philosophy, culture and literature, and put these into practice studying historical, artistic, archaeological and anthropological, diasporic, philosophical, cultural concepts in a range of national contexts and time periods. They will develop an understanding of the complexity of Black Humanities culture, history, human movement, and exchange of ideas. Through peer discussion, presentation and essay writing, they will learn to develop and articulate their own reflections on history, arts, archaeology and anthropology, diaspora, philosophy, culture and literature. |
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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 Black Humanities culture, historical, artistic, archaeological and anthropological, diasporic, philosophical, 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 Black Humanities culture, historical, artistic, archaeological and anthropological, diasporic, philosophical, cultural or literary topic within an appropriate critical framework, in collaboration with a supervisor in the Faculty of Arts. |
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.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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The History and Legacies of Slavery: Bristol and The World | MODLM0034 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Black Humanities: What, Why and How | MODLM0036 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Black Humanities: Arts, Texts and Contexts | MODLM0035 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Black Humanities: Research Skills | MODLM0037 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Dissertation Black Humanities | MODLM0038 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Select 40 credit points from: | ||||
Modernism and the 'Black Atlantic' | HARTM0040 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Slavery and Emancipation in the Atlantic World 1450-1870 | HISTM0071 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Bristol and Slavery (Level H Special Subject) | HIST30078 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Black Humanities Option Unit | MODLM0032 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Personal Option Unit | AFACM0007 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
For a list of available units to study through the Black Humanities Option Unit and Personal Option Unit, please contact the School Administrator. | ||||
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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. An exit award with Merit or Distinction may be permitted where students are prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing the intended 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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