PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION FOR TAUGHT PROGRAMMES AT ALL LEVELS Name of Programme: BA (Hons) English Studies Final award (BSc, MA etc): BA Awarding University of Teaching institution: University of Buckingham institution/body: Buckingham School of Study: Humanities Parent Department: English Length of the programme: 2 years/ 3 years Method of study: Full Time Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) Level) Professional body accreditation Criteria for admission to the programme: FHEQ Level 6 N/A A-level: BCC / 104 UCAS points/ib 24 or equivalent qualifications Relevant subject benchmark statement (SBS) Cohort(s) to which this programme specification is applicable QAA SBS: English (2015); QAA SBS: Creative Writing (2016); QAA SBS: Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies (2016) From 2001 onwards UCAS Code Q301 (2yr) QQ30 (3yr) Summary of Programme The programme combines the study of English Language and Literature, together with a (student) choice of other subjects related to the application of English language (in linguistics, media, teaching or translating). NOTE: this programme is a non-efl (native, or second-language speaker of English) version of the English Studies (EFL) degree, in which a different but equivalent set of English language courses are provided (see degree tables: left-hand column); in most other respects the two programmes are the same. Educational Aims of the Programme The programme aims to: English Language specific help students improve their compositional and debating knowledge and skills, particularly for English for academic purposes, and also their communicative language skills for intercultural/global communication applications. develop students knowledge of general concepts in the applied language study of English, particularly as they relate to the historical and geographical spread of English, and its social and power dimensions. English Literature specific provide knowledge of the discipline as traditionally constructed by examining a range of literature in different genres across different historical periods facilitate critically-aware understanding of ways to approach literary texts give students the ability to engage in detail with the stylistic and rhetorical features of texts English language applied (dependant on student course choice) specific develop students understanding of the terminology and analytical framework of applied linguistics develop students understanding of technology, styles, and issues of the contemporary media develop students understanding of the basic methodology of English language teaching develop students communicative and linguistic skills in the context of a modern foreign language Combined programme specific encourage cross-fertilisation between the study and appreciation of English and the creation of flexible and dynamic writing styles provide awareness of how style variously carries, mediates, and creates message in a variety of professional contexts, and how to apply this in both critical and rhetorical writing enable students to consider how questions of political economy, representation, discourse, identity and ideology affect not just the media but the subject of English more generally enable students to read, write, and speak the language of clear and thorough communication. provide opportunities for discussion and debate, encouraged in a tutorial environment develop competencies directly relating to employability: - conceptual, communication and literary skills - skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation - fluent, and accurate writing skills - IT skills sufficient for employment/further study. -
Knowledge and understanding of: On successful completion of their studies, students will be able to 1. Understand English compositional patterns and debating conventions, its intercultural communicative functions, textual and discursive features of English and their applications. 2. Understand the historical and geographical dimensions of English, and its societal and power aspects. 3. Understand the analysis of literary texts 4. Comprehend a representative number of literary texts and authors, and film genres. 5. Understand related subject disciplinarity and typical applications in the fields of: applied linguistics/media/language teaching methodology/foreign languages Cognitive (thinking) skills: On successful completion of their studies, students will be able to 1. appreciate the use of language as a tool for academic argument and communicative purposes in a range of settings. 2. read and describe texts closely in formal terms (stylistic, rhetorical, discursive, etc). 3. draw upon and synthesise ideas from different disciplines. 4. be creative and self-reflexive in carrying out project work Programme Outcomes Teaching/Learning Strategy 1. Lecture courses dealing with specific aspects of language and literature, plus applied linguistics/media/language teaching methodology/foreign languages 2. Seminar and tutorial discussions focussing on detailed applications of the above. 3. Observation sessions of media/teaching methodology/translating practices. 4. Student-led presentations of topics in the above fields, including peer-group teaching. Practical instruction in use of ICT and industry-standard software Assessment Strategy: English Language: usually assessed over two terms for 30 units, using the following range of evaluation formats: Coursework over two terms (25% of overall assessment) related to the theme of each course. One-hour test (25%) at the end of the first term; Two-hour closed-book examination (50%) at the end of the second term. English Literature: most courses are assessed through a combination of closely-supervised writing tasks, termpapers, and bi-annual closed book examinations, in which weighting of coursework/examination is typically 40%/60%, 50%/50%, or 100/0%, depending on the nature of the course and the number of items to be assessed. Other courses: assessed through a varying combination of coursework, texts and examinations, and projects. Teaching/Learning Strategy: 1. Lecture and tutorial explanations. 2. Guided introduction to language and literary course topics through presentation of representative excerpts of language and literary usage. 3. Syllabus delivered through analytical lectures, interactive seminars with an emphasis on discussing messaging and practical semiotics 4. Project work designed to allow students to showcase their particular discipline interests Assessment Strategy: 1. Cognitive skills 1 4 assessed though a variety of assessment formats, linked to the assessment criteria listed above for the various subject courses, namely, a combination of: 2. Coursework (including tutorial contributions) 3. Tests 4. Examinations 5. Project work
Practical/Transferable skills (able to): Graduates successfully completing the programming will be able to 1. Analyse, discriminate, and evaluate 2. Show capacity for independent thought and judgement, including appreciation of alternative perspectives 3. Show receptivity and respect for to others points of view and emotional intelligence of response 4. Demonstrate linguistic skills for general language use 5. Demonstrate effective communication skills 6. Use research skills, including information retrieval, note-taking and organisational abilities 7. Use drafting, editing and presentational skills suitable for employment or further undergraduate study 8. Plan and manage time effectively, individually and as part of a team Teaching/Learning Strategy: used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated: 1. Provision of texts for analysis, to demonstrate the need for synthesis and evaluation 2. Students challenged continually in development of assessed material, to appraise and judge different intellectual positions and to engage constructively with them 3. Detailed tutorial discussions amongst small groups of students 4. Provision of progressive sequence of language and linguistic-based courses emphasising advanced communication skills. 5. On-going instruction in use of Library & Information Services, and advice on studying patterns (Personal Tutor system); access to range of resources on VLE 6. Detailed feedback on drafts; on grammar, style and presentation of written work; provision of Department s own Style Guide 7. Setting frequent deadlines to encourage fluency and discipline Assessment Strategy: P/Tskills assessed though a variety of assessment formats, but mostly through coursework, including: Evaluation of individual term papers and other assignments in regard to breadth of research, background reading, and presentation Monitoring of students adherence to project/team work deadlines External Reference Points The following reference points were used in designing the programme Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/informationandguidance/pages/quality-code-a1.aspx); Relevant Subject Benchmark Statement(s) (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/informationandguidance/pages/quality-code-a2.aspx); Other (list) 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. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the departmental or programme handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually by the University of Buckingham and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency. Programme Director Date approved by School Learning and Teaching Committee Date approved by School Board of Study Jan 2013 Date approved by University Learning and Teaching Committee Feb 2013 Catherine Damon N/A
ENGLISH STUDIES [BA] January Entry All courses are 15 units, except where specified as 30 units. JOINT HONOURS Term 1 2 YEAR ONE Discourse and Debate [4] Poetry and Poetics [4] English Composition [4] Fiction and Theory [4] Applied Linguistics 1 [4] Victorian Fiction [4] Applied Linguistics 2 [4] Victorian Poetry [4] THE PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 3 Intercultural Communication [5] Stylistics [5] Media Studies [5] Creative Writing 1 [4] 4 Global Communication [5] Text Studies [5] TEFL Skills [5] Literary Journalism 1642- Present [5] Travel Writing [5] THE PART 1 EXAMINATION 5 6 YEAR TWO Diversity in English [6] Modern American Literature [6] TEFL Methods [5] Change in English [6] Film Studies [5] A Language (30 units 2 A Language (30 units 2 THE PART 2 STAGE 1 EXAMINATION 7 Language and Society [6] Modernist Writing [6] Creative Writing 2* [6] Shakespearean Drama [6] 8 Language and Power [6] Renaissance Literature [6] Contemporary Writing [6] THE PART 2 STAGE 2 EXAMINATION Students must have taken TEFL Skills to take TEFL Methods * At the discretion of the Programme Director, some previous experience of Creative Writing is required.
ENGLISH STUDIES [BA] September Entry - 9 Terms All courses are 15 units, except where specified as 30 units. JOINT HONOURS Term YEAR ONE 1 Eras of English [4] Media Discourse [4] Plays in Performance [4] THE PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 1 2 Applied Linguistics 1 [4] Discourse and Debate [4] Poetry and Poetics [4] Victorian Fiction [4] 3 Applied Linguistics 2 [4] English Composition [4] Fiction and Theory [4] Victorian Poetry [4] THE PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2 4 Intercultural Communication [5] Stylistics [5] Media Studies [5] Creative Writing 1 [4] 5 Global Communication [5] Text Studies [5] YEAR TWO TEFL Skills [5] Literary Journalism 1642- Present [5] Travel Writing [5] THE PART 1 EXAMINATION 6 Diversity in English [6] Modern American Literature [6] TEFL Methods [5] A Language (30 units -2 7 Change in English [6] Film Studies [5] A Language (30 units -2 THE PART 2 STAGE 1 EXAMINATION 8 Language and Society [6] Modernist Writing [6] Creative Writing 2* [6] Shakespearean Drama [6] 9 Language and Power [6] Renaissance Literature [6] Contemporary Writing [6] THE PART 2 STAGE 2 EXAMINATION Students must have taken TEFL Skills to take TEFL Methods * At the discretion of the Programme Director, some previous experience of Creative Writing is required.
ENGLISH STUDIES [BA] 3 YEAR Programme September Entry (3-year, 3-term) JOINT HONOURS Term 1 2 3 YEAR ONE Text Studies [4] Discourse and Debate [4] English Composition [4] Poetry and Poetics [4] Fiction and Theory [4] ONE OF: Eras of English [4] Plays in Performance [4] THE PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 1 Applied Linguistics 1 [4] Victorian Fiction [4] Applied Linguistics 2 [4] Victorian Poetry [4] THE PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2 4 Global Communication [5] TEFL Skills [5] Media Discourse [5] Literary Journalism 1642- Present [5] Travel Writing [5] THE PART 1 EXAMINATION YEAR TWO 5 Diversity in English [6] 6 Change in English [6] TEFL Methods [5] Modern American Literature [6] A Language (30 Units) A Free Choice (15/30 units) A Language (30 Units) A Free Choice (15/30 units) THE PART 2, STAGE 1, EXAMINATION 7 Language and Power [6] Renaissance Literature [6] Creative Writing 2 [6] THE PART 2, STAGE 2, EXAMINATION 8 20 th Century Theatre [6] Rewriting Empire [6] Modern American Literature [6] Restoration and Augustan Literature [6] 9 Modernist Writing [6] Film Studies [5] Shakespearean Drama [6] Romantic Literature [6] Students must have taken TEFL Skills to take TEFL Methods