Programme And Module Handbook
 
Programme Specification


Date Specification Approved 15/11/2020
College College Arts and Law
School Lan, Cult, Art Hist & Music
Department Modern Languages
Partner College and School
Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title B.A. Russian Studies and International Relations Full-time
Programme Code 897D
Delivery Location Campus
Language of Study English
Length of Programme 3 Year(s)
Accreditations This programme has no outside accreditations
Aims of the Programme "This programme is for students who have been granted an exemption from the compulsory year abroad on the 4-year 5091 BA JH Russian Studies and International Relations programme. Programme aims for students who commenced their studies before 2017/18:
The programme aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop an in-depth and wide-ranging understanding of Russian culture, literature, society and politics drawing on the cutting edge of research in these fields.
You will become familiar with general concepts in the social sciences, literary, cultural and historical studies, and will be able to apply these to the specific cases of Russia. Apart from your knowledge of the region, you will also develop valuable skills, such as giving seminar presentations, use of IT, conducting research projects (through the independent learning module), and the kind of skills that employers really look for in graduates.

Programme aims marked with an * apply to new year 1 students entering in 2017/18:
*To enable students to achieve the appropriate level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (specified by language under Learning Outcomes) through the systematic integration of language and content teaching.
*To enable students to explain and assess critically the multi-disciplinary features and significance of the culture, history and society of their chosen language communities.
*To enable students to be digitally literate. Students will be able to use appropriate, up-to-date technology in the effective learning of languages and to understand works of culture (understood in the broadest sense, to include history, society, politics, and other material covered in modules aligned with the Birmingham Languages Graduate).
*To enable students to handle and analyse material relating to research projects based in the Department of Modern Languages.
*To enable students to engage with appropriately adapted questions derived from research projects based in the Department of Modern Languages.
*To enable students to become effective independent learners, with regular opportunities to develop skills in research, academic writing, and reflective learning.
*To enable students to be competitively employable through the acquisition of direct and transferable skills as well as through: 1) appropriate integration of Modern Languages careers topics within core modules; 2) optional placement opportunities relating to Modern Languages (credit-bearing and non-credit-bearing); 3) non-credit bearing Modern Languages careers events.
*To enable students to give a persuasive account of their degree and of why they have assembled their degree in a particular way.
*To provide students with language and language-related transferable skills useful in a range of contexts, both educational and professional; and to respond to national and international needs for advanced strategic competence in a variety of world languages. "
Programme Outcomes
Students are expected to have Knowledge and Understanding of: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
"One or more languages (in this case, Russian). By final year students should have achieved at least C1 level and normally C2 level within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
*Students should be able to select and use appropriate, up-to-date technology in the effective learning of languages. "
"The features and significance of the culture, history and society of their chosen language communities. Students should be able to use appropriate, up-to-date technology in such understanding.
Dependent on the range of optional modules offered, specialised further topics within Modern Languages such as translation, interpreting, politics, linguistics, cinema, history, society or culture. "
Key methods and concepts used in the analysis of a range of fields relating to language and culture.
"Advanced knowledge of the society and culture of the countries where the language is spoken.*The significance of language and languages to our connections to other peoples and places around the globe, and in our own lives. This understanding will (a) span multiple disciplines and (b) extend across times, places, and identities, including with regards to:
  • The historical and contemporary significance of different languages and cultures;
  • Cultural responses to the urgent human problems of history and the contemporary period, and to the human condition more widely.
"
"1) Lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, language classes, guided and independent reading. Material is developed and delivered by a combination of native and non-native teaching staff, and involving a wide range of registers, contexts and modes (e.g. journalistic, literary, colloquial, translation, correspondence, administration) as well as unassessed assignments. Beginners follow an expanded, intensive course of language study. Extensive supporting material is available through Canvas and self-access facilities on the main campus. *Specialised core modules in all years, taught through the integration of language and content teaching involving plenaries and target language seminars and classes. The use of language learning technology is built in to all new core modules offered in Modern Languages.
2) Plenaries, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, guided and independent reading. *All core modules in Modern Languages. This learning outcome is a key criterion through which optional modules can also align with the BLG curriculum. Teaching and learning methods include particularly plenaries, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, guided and independent reading.
3) Plenaries, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, guided and independent reading. *All core modules in Modern Languages. This learning outcome is a key criterion through which optional modules can also align with the BLG curriculum. Teaching and learning methods particularly include plenaries.
4) Plenaries, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, language classes, guided and independent reading. *All core modules in Modern Languages. This learning outcome is a key criterion through which optional modules can also align with the BLG curriculum. Teaching and learning methods include particularly plenaries, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, guided and independent reading. "
"1) Unseen written examinations, assessed coursework, essays, oral and aural examinations, tasks undertaken under timed conditions and dissertation work including 20 credits of Independent Study. *Target language projects and e-assessment portfolios. Formative e- assessments and student-led research.
2) Coursework (essays, dissertation, project work, oral presentations, target language projects, e-assessment portfolios), unseen written examinations, oral/aural examinations. Formative e-assessments and student-led research.
3) Coursework (essays, dissertation, project work, oral presentations, target language projects, e-assessment portfolios), unseen written examinations, oral/aural examinations.
4) Coursework (essays, dissertation, project work, oral presentations, target language projects, e-assessment portfolios), unseen written examinations, oral/aural examinations. Formative e-assessments and student-led research. "
Students are expected to have attained the following Skills and other Attributes: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
Comprehension, analysis, evaluation, distillation and contextualisation of information across a range of subject areas and the application of both generic and subject specific skills.
Skills of oral and written presentation both in English and in the target language(s), and the ability to explain, discuss and debate in smaller and larger groups
Independent study skills (self-organisation, time management, research skills, planning, drafting and editing) and the ability to produce an extended piece of academic writing on the basis of them
Transferable skills relevant to employment, including problem-solving, self-reliance, initiative, adaptability, flexibility, and competences such as note-taking, the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, and to use electronic resources and ICT effectively.
The ability to use language in professional contexts.
Intercultural awareness, understanding and competence, especially the ability to function in another culture, and to engage critically with their own and other cultures
Generic, transferable language-learning skills and the ability to use language reference materials such as grammars, standard and specialised dictionaries, and in some cases corpora to refine knowledge and understanding of register, nuances of meaning and language use.
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