University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2020/21 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Arts > School of Modern Languages > Modern Language Studies (BA) > Specification
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Programme code | 1MODL023U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Debbie Pinfold
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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 | 3 years (full time) |
In addition to the Independent Research Project, students will be offered the opportunity to attend the relevant level-6 language units but would not be required to do so. JH students with two or three languages will be allowed to drop one, two or all three language units. They will not be able to continue to study more than two languages. Students will in effect decide if they continue to study one or two languages. They will study these languages through the mandatory Independent Research Project and the optional language units. In each language they study, they will also be required to choose at least one cultural unit coded in that language. The structure is designed in such a way that students who continue with only one language will be required at a minimum to study either two cultural units in that language, or to take the corresponding optional language unit and one cultural unit in that language. This will ensure that students have enough exposure to the language of study. In addition, students will be able to choose up to two MODL units, including those that have a vocational content. Units that require a particularly high level of language proficiency such as translation and interpreting units will not be available to them unless they concurrently attend the relevant language unit.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed through group work in seminars, tutorials, oral presentations, essay writing and practical language work. Units are structured in such a way that the skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation of data are developed. Specific units focus on other intellectual skills: problem solving and research techniques. |
Methods of Assessment | |
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Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed through seminars, class discussions, oral presentations and essay writing, as well as by the independent reading and preparation these exercises require. Units are structured to promote the skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation of secondary literature Language skills are refined through a variety of practical exercises. Students are given guidance on the use of electronic resources and independent research is also mandatory in the final year. |
Methods of Assessment | |
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Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Seminars and tutorials are used to develop oral communication by requiring students to engage in class discussions and to give short presentations to initiate discussion, including defending their interpretations in debate with other students and staff. Oral skills are further developed in the language classes. Research and written communication skills are developed through the writing of essays and tutors' feedback on these. Students are given guidance on independent learning, which is required in all language and non-language units. IT skills are developed when researching and producing course work. Students are given guidance on how to manage their time and work independently Students are given guidance on the use of electronic resources and informed of opportunities for C&IT training, |
Methods of Assessment | |
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Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
Year 1 of the programme has been expressly designed to lay the foundations which will allow students to fulfil the programme aims and objectives. Core units in languages are geared to lead the student in the development of their language skills. The year introduces and includes preliminary work on some of the main themes and key concepts of the relevant literature, culture, history and linguistics to provide a familiarity with these disciplines. It enables students to understand the cultural heritage, historical development and modern contours of the languages concerned. The expectation is that their work may require considerable direction from members of staff at this stage, and the Year 1 units are designed with this in mind. In particular, an intensive 40 credit unit taken in language taken ab initio in Year 1 provides a foundation for further study to reach an advanced level in that language and to engage with a study of its culture in the following years. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
In Year 2 students are expected to be able to demonstrate that they have expanded the range and depth of their knowledge in various areas of the relevant disciplines and their capacity to evaluate their work through the wide range of options available beyond the core language unit. The themes and language readings will be of greater depth and substance. Students will develop their analytical skills, their ability to structure their work and present it fluently. They will be encouraged in group work skills through active participation in seminars. They will be developing a capacity for self-directed learning (for example, through the researching and writing of essays and projects). Spoken and written language skills will be reinforced and enhanced. They will also be supported in developing relevant skills for living and working abroad through the usual second-year School preparations for spending a year abroad (in year three for students on the four-year Modern Languages programmes), including language classes, seminars and dedicated briefing sessions at departmental and School level. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
In Year 3, there will be an emphasis on independent learning, self-directed study and research skills, to be developed through an Independent Research Project. Students are expected to expand the breadth of their knowledge through the study of optional units; the units are more closely linked to staff research interests developing the conceptual and methodological approaches used with more depth and complexity. Students will be expected to develop further their ability to gather and assimilate information, to synthesise these in an appropriate way, and to engage in sophisticated evaluation of language texts. These skills will be perfected in the writing of a longer research project and more demanding essays. Students will also be expected to develop writing and presentation skills in the creation and assessment of public-facing content. |
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Workload Statement
In common with the rest of the University, units in the Faculty of Arts
adhere to the credit framework which sets out that 20 credits normally
equates to some 200 hours of student input. Some of this time will be spent
in class, with the remainder divided between preparation for classes and
preparation for, and completion of, the assessment tasks. Some of this
activity may occur within the University’s online learning environment,
Blackboard, which you may use to prepare wikis, to interact with other
students, to download tutorials or to receive feedback.
Assessment Statement
Please select the following link for a statement about assessment. This is University of Bristol access only.
https://www.bris.ac.uk/arts/current/under/assessment.html
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | ||
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Students transfer into year 3 of this programme having done years one and two of one of the language programmes. | |||||
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
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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