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Programme code | 1ARTF004U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Robert Fowler
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Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
School/department | Arts Faculty Office |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 3 years (full time) |
The programme combines in-depth study in a discipline with a broader exploration of the arts and humanities. Mandatory units introduce students to overarching themes of fundamental importance in the academy and society. In the discipline pathway, the programme delivers a core competence and advanced knowledge and understanding in selected areas. In the broader curriculum the student will gain an understanding of the connections between his or her pathway and cognate disciplines while developing advanced knowledge and understanding in selected areas. The programme stresses both the historical and contemporary relevance of the arts and humanities, and provides opportunities for engaged learning with partners outside the university. All students will take at least one unit in a foreign language, and a unit in quantitative skills. Skills in writing, critical thinking and analysis are inculcated at all levels.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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1 is acquired through mandatory units at Levels 4 and 5 and through the structure of the programme, combining a subject pathway with options in other subjects 2–5 are acquired through mandatory units at Levels 4 and 5 6 is acquired either by choice of a language pathway or by doing a unit in an ancient or modern language 7 is acquired through a mandatory unit at Level 4 8 is acquired through some aspects of mandatory units at Levels 4 and 5 and through a mandatory unit The Public Role of the Humanities at Level 6 9 is acquired through mandatory and optional units in the subject pathway Mandatory Liberal Arts units are taught by means of one or more of the following: lectures, small classes (seminars), group discussion, student presentations, engaged learning, peer-assisted learning, VLE tools (Blackboard), dissertation preparation tutorials. Directed reading and independent learning are important strategies, through weekly assignments, written coursework and, in the final year, a substantial piece of research on a subject of the student’s choosing. Feedback on assessments is given through tutorials and written comments. Within the subject pathway additional teaching methods and strategies may be deployed such as fieldwork, practical sessions (e.g. archaeology, music, film) or language classes. |
Methods of Assessment | |
In the mandatory Liberal Arts units forms of assessment include: formative and summative essays testing understanding of a single topic within a unit in detail. Oral presentations provide diagnostic and formative assessment. Shorter exercises in core skills units, designed to assess research and communication skills, analysis and interpretation of evidence etc. In the third year, an extended project (the dissertation). In language units, regular tests and assignments. In subject pathway units additional forms of assessment will include some of: examinations, projects, portfolios, critical diaries and online contributions. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed through seminars, tutorials, class discussions, oral presentations and essay writing. Units are structured in such a way as to promote the development of skills of research, analysis, synthesis and critical evaluation. 13 is delivered by the mandatory and optional units in the subject pathway. 14 is delivered by the mandatory units at levels 4, 5 and 6, by the structure of the programme which combines a subject pathway with options from other subjects, and from the level 6 dissertation which will draw upon what has been learned in the pathway and other units. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Essays and other forms of written assignment test the students' ability to analyse, evaluate and organise information, and to present reasoned arguments based on appropriate selection of evidence; research skills are also assessed through written coursework and the final year dissertation (1–10, 12). Oral presentations provide diagnostic and formative assessment of this skill (3). Accompanying written reports after oral feedback, seminar discussion and/or peer review assess 11. 13 is assessed by methods appropriate to the discipline in mandatory and optional units at levels 4, 5, 6. 14 is assessed by assignments in the mandatory units and by the level 6 dissertation. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Written assignments of various kinds in the mandatory and optional units impart skills in research, analysis and communication. Seminars are used to develop oral communication by requiring students to engage in class discussions and to give short presentations. IT skills are developed when researching work (many e-resources) and submitting essay assignments, through training sessions at level 4 and for the dissertation, and in the mandatory level 4 numeracy unit. All units now make use of Blackboard; tutors in the Liberal Arts mandatory units will make use of its various functions (e.g. discussion board, wikis). Independent learning is required in all units. 9 is delivered by the mandatory units at levels 4, 5 and 6, by the structure of the programme which combines a subject pathway with options from other subjects, and from the level 6 dissertation which will draw upon what has been learned in the pathway and other units. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Essays and other forms of written assignment test the students' ability to analyse, evaluate and organise information, and to present reasoned arguments based on appropriate selection of evidence; research skills are also assessed through written coursework and the final year dissertation (2–4, 8). Oral presentations provide diagnostic and formative assessment of this skill (4). Accompanying written reports after oral feedback, seminar discussion and/or peer review assess 5 and 8. 6 is formatively assessed by the TEL element of mandatory units and 10 by the use of e-resources and online submission in completing various assignments in mandatory and optional units. 9 is assessed by assignments in the mandatory units and by the level 6 dissertation. 11 is assessed in units in the subject pathways that have examinations. Independent learning is necessary in most assignments, whose assessment reflects 1, 7, 12. |
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 has been designed to lay the foundations which will enable the student to fulfil the programme's objectives. Mandatory units provide both knowledge and skills while optional units start students on a pathway and allow the exploration of other subject areas. It is expected that students' work may require considerable direction and guidance from staff at this stage. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
Year 2 is intended to complete the foundations of skills and knowledge though the two mandatory units, while the optional units expand knowledge and understanding in the subject pathway. Students will be expected to grasp and apply the underlying concepts, principles and methods appropriate to their area of study, to show a greater degree of independence in the interpretation of evidence and construction of arguments, and to present their work effectively. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
At this level students are expected to make use of the knowledge and skills acquired in the first two years in researching and discussing topics in much greater depth. They will work at a higher level of methodological and conceptual complexity. They will be expected to work more independently in gathering and assimilating information, synthesising it in an appropriate way and engaging in the sophisticated analysis of relevant evidence. There is an emphasis on self-directed study and the development of research skills, especially through the compulsory dissertation. |
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 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
The option of doing an integrated Master of Liberal Arts (MLibArts), a four-year programme with third year abroad (whose first two years are identical to the BA) instead of the three-year BA, is nearly unique (Exeter is similar in this respect, but the first two years are differently constructed). Students can leave their options open in this regard until the end of the second year (though if they are minded to go abroad they will need to have made an application in November of the second year).
Robert.Fowler@bristol.ac.uk
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | ||
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Take 2 of the following units: | |||||
Ideas and Society | AFAC10002 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Experiencing the Aesthetic | AFAC10003 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Numeracy requirement (may be deferred to year 2) - one of: | |||||
Arts Students Count | AFAC10004 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Convincing stories? Numbers as evidence in the social sciences | UNIV10002 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Language requirement (may be deferred to year 2): | |||||
20 credit points in an ancient or modern language at appropriate level. PLEASE NOTE Students beginning a language pathway in Year 1 automatically meet this requirement. | |||||
Students then take 40 to 60 credit points in their prospective pathway (see below) and can take any other open unit if pathway choice allows: | |||||
ANTHROPOLOGY PATHWAY - must take: | |||||
Introduction to Biological Anthropology | ARCH10005 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Introduction to Social Anthropology | ANTH10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
ANTHROPOLOGY OPTIONS - choose from a defined list | |||||
ARCHAEOLOGY PATHWAY - must take both of the following: | |||||
Introduction to Archaeology | ARCH10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Pre-excavation techniques | ARCH14009 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
ARCHAEOLOGY OPTIONS - choose from a defined list | |||||
CLASSICS & ANCIENT HISTORY PATHWAY - must take two of the following: | |||||
Art in the Ancient World | CLAS12365 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Late Antiquity | CLAS12381 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Classical Greece | CLAS12380 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
History of Thought | CLAS12366 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
CLASSICS & ANCIENT HISTORY OPTIONS - choose Latin/Greek units at an appropriate level or any other level 4 units in mandatory list, Classics, Classical Studies or Ancient History programmes. | |||||
ENGLISH PATHWAY - must take one of the following: | |||||
Approaches to Poetry | ENGL10026 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Approaches to Shakespeare | ENGL10027 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Approaches to Poetry | ENGL10018 | 40 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Approaches to Shakespeare | ENGL10019 | 40 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Critical Issues | ENGL10017 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Contemporary Writing | ENGL10016 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
ENGLISH OPTIONS - choose additional units from the mandatory list or: | |||||
Introduction to Old English | ENGL10020 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
FILM PATHWAY - must take: | |||||
Introduction to Film and Television Studies | DRAM10024 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
FILM OPTIONS - choose from a defined list. | |||||
HISTORICAL STUDIES PATHWAY - must take at least two from the following: | |||||
Introduction to Medieval History | HIST13011 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Introduction to Early Modern History | HIST13012 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Introduction to the History of the British Empire: Rise, Fall and Legacies | HIST13014 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Introduction to Medieval Art | HART10215 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Introduction to Early-Modern Art | HART10216 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Introduction to Modern Art | HART10217 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Late Antiquity | CLAS12381 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Classical Greece | CLAS12380 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
MEDIEVAL STUDIES PATHWAY - must take: | |||||
Introduction to Medieval History | HIST13011 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
MEDIEVAL STUDIES OPTIONS - choose from a defined list | |||||
LANGUAGE: CZECH PATHWAY - must take: | |||||
Czech Language 1 | RUSS10015 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
LANGUAGE: CZECH OPTIONS - choose any Russian level 4 units. | |||||
LANGUAGE: FRENCH PATHWAY - must take: | |||||
French Language | FREN10029 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
LANGUAGE: FRENCH OPTIONS - choose any French level 4 units. | |||||
LANGUAGE: GERMAN PATHWAY - must take one of the following: | |||||
German Language 1 (Post A-level) | GERM10009 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
German Language 1 (ab initio) | GERM19003 | 40 | Optional | TB-4 | |
LANGUAGE: GERMAN OPTIONS - choose any German level 4 units as long as have the required pre-requisites. | |||||
LANGUAGE: ITALIAN PATHWAY - must take one of the following: | |||||
Italian Language 1A (Post A-level) | ITAL10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Italian Language 1B (ab initio students) | ITAL10002 | 40 | Optional | TB-4 | |
LANGUAGE: ITALIAN OPTIONS - choose any Italian level 4 units as long as have the required pre-requisites. | |||||
LANGUAGE: RUSSIAN PATHWAY - must take one of the following: | |||||
Russian Language (for qualified entrants) | RUSS10036 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Russian Language (ab initio) | RUSS10001 | 40 | Optional | TB-4 | |
LANGUAGE: RUSSIAN OPTIONS - choose any Russian level 4 units as long as have the required pre-requisites. | |||||
LANGUAGE: SPANISH PATHWAY - must take one of the following: | |||||
Spanish Language (Post A level) | HISP10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Spanish Language (Ab-initio) | HISP10116 | 40 | Optional | TB-4 | |
LANGUAGE: SPANISH OPTIONS - choose any HISP level 4 units as long as have the required pre-requisites. | |||||
LANGUAGE: PORTUGUESE PATHWAY - must take one of the following: | |||||
Language (Advanced) | MODL10014 | 40 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Portuguese Language | HISP10302 | 40 | Optional | TB-4 | |
LANGUAGE: PORTUGUESE OPTIONS - choose any HISP level 4 units as long as have the required pre-requisites. | |||||
MUSIC PATHWAY - must take one of: | |||||
Technical Studies I: Harmony and Harmonic Analysis | MUSI10047 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Historical Studies | MUSI10055 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Plus one from: | |||||
Practical Studies: Instrumentation and Conducting | MUSI10051 | 10 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Practical studies: Performance | MUSI10054 | 10 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Composition - Studio | MUSI10056 | 10 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Composition - Acoustic | MUSI10057 | 10 | Optional | TB-2 | |
MUSIC OPTIONS - choose any Music level 4 units, which may included the shared Music, Film, Theatre unit SART10001 Criticism and the Arts | |||||
PHILOSOPHY PATHWAY - must take: | |||||
Introduction to Philosophy A | PHIL10005 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Introduction to Formal Logic | PHIL10014 | 10 | Optional | TB-1 | |
PHILOSOPHY OPTIONS - choose any Philosophy level 4 units. | |||||
RELIGION & THEOLOGY PATHWAY - must take: | |||||
Living Religions | THRS10028 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
RELIGION & THEOLOGY OPTIONS - choose any Religion and Theology level 4, Sanskrit or Hebrew language units. | |||||
THEATRE PATHWAY - must take: | |||||
Performance Forms and Analysis | DRAM11004 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
THEATRE OPTIONS - choose units from a defined list. | |||||
Undergraduate Certificate | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | ||
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Students take 2 of the following: | |||||
Critical Writing in the Humanities | AFAC20001 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Reading the Past | AFAC20004 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
NUMERACY requirement - if not already taken, one from: | |||||
Arts Students Count | AFAC10004 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Convincing stories? Numbers as evidence in the social sciences | UNIV10002 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Language requirement - if not already taken, 20 credit points in an ancient or modern language at a level appropriate to previous qualifications. | |||||
Students take 40 to 60 credit points in their chosen pathway (see below) including 40 at level 5: | |||||
ANTHROPOLOGY PATHWAY - must take: | |||||
ANTHROPOLOGY OPTIONS - choose optional units from a defined list. | |||||
ARCHAEOLOGY PATHWAY - must take: | |||||
ARCHAEOLOGY OPTIONS - choose any Archaeology level 5 units. | |||||
CLASSICS & ANCIENT HISTORY OPTIONS - choose any level 5 unit in Classics, Classical Studies or Ancient History programmes or units in Greek or Latin at the appropriate level. | |||||
ENGLISH PATHWAY - must take 1 of the literature units below plus 1 special subject unit (contact School for details of Specialist Subjects): | |||||
Literature 1 (1200-1500) for Joint Honours | ENGL20202 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Literature 2 (1500-1700) for Joint Honours | ENGL20203 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
ENGLISH OPTIONS - choose any English level 5 unit. | |||||
FILM PATHWAY - must take one of: | |||||
FILM OPTIONS - choose optional units from a defined list. | |||||
HISTORICAL STUDIES PATHWAY - choose optional units from a defined list. | |||||
MEDIEVAL STUDIES PATHWAY - choose optional units from a defined list (students must take THRS20100 if they have not taken THRS10032 in previous year): | |||||
LANGUAGES - CZECH PATHWAY - must take | |||||
Czech Language 2 | RUSS20029 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Intermediate Czech Language | RUSS20043 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
LANGUAGES - CZECH OPTIONS - choose any level 5 Russian units (except the Year Abroad) or a Modern Language (MODL) unit from a defined list. | |||||
LANGUAGES - FRENCH PATHWAY - must take | |||||
French Language 2 | FREN20001 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
LANGUAGES - FRENCH OPTIONS - choose any level 5 French unit (except the Year Abroad) or a Modern Language (MODL) unit from a defined list. | |||||
LANGUAGES - GERMAN PATHWAY - must take | |||||
German Language 2 (Post A-Level) | GERM20001 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
LANGUAGES - GERMAN OPTIONS - choose any level 5 German unit (except the Year Abroad) or a Modern Language (MODL) unit from a defined list. | |||||
LANGUAGES - ITALIAN PATHWAY - must take | |||||
Italian Language 2 | ITAL20001 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
LANGUAGES - ITALIAN OPTIONS - choose any level 5 Italian unit (except the Year Abroad) or a Modern Language (MODL) unit from a defined list. | |||||
LANGUAGES - RUSSIAN PATHWAY - must take | |||||
Russian Language 2 | RUSS20008 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
LANGUAGES - RUSSIAN OPTIONS - students can choose any level 5 Russian unit (except the Year Abroad) or a Modern Language (MODL) unit from a defined list. | |||||
LANGUAGES - SPANISH PATHWAY - students must take | |||||
Spanish Language | HISP20101 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
LANGUAGES - SPANISH OPTIONS - choose any level 5 Hispanic Studies (HISP) unit (except the Year Abroad) or a Modern Language (MODL) unit from a defined list. | |||||
LANGUAGES - PORTUGUESE PATHWAY - must take | |||||
Portuguese Lang for Joints/ML | HISP20302 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
LANGUAGES - PORTUGUESE OPTIONS - choose any level 5 Hispanic Studies (HISP) units (except the Year Abroad) or a Modern Language (MODL) unit from a defined list. | |||||
MUSIC PATHWAY OPTIONS - choose any Music level 5 units. | |||||
PHILOSOPHY OPTIONS - choose any Philosophy level 5 units. | |||||
RELIGION & THEOLOGY PATHWAY - must take: | |||||
Issues in the Study of Religion | THRS20099 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
RELIGION & THEOLOGY OPTIONS - choose any level 5 THRS units or Sanskrit or Hebrew units at an appropriate level. | |||||
THEATRE PATHWAY - must take one of: | |||||
Performance Histories | DRAM23125 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Politics of Performance | DRAM20048 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
THEATRE OPTIONS - choose optional units from a defined list. | |||||
Plus 20 - 40 credit points in options from across the Faculty of Arts (including at least 20 at level 5 and may include one Open Unit from another Faculty) | |||||
Undergraduate Diploma | 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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