Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title
B.A. English Language and History with Year Abroad Full-time
Programme Code
565H
Delivery Location
Campus
Language of Study
English
Length of Programme
4 Year(s)
Accreditations
This programme has no outside accreditations
Aims of the Programme
English Language aims:
1) To provide students with in-depth study of the ways in which the English language can be described; the ways in which it has changed over time; variation in language use, the ways in which language is acquired by both native and non-native speakers, and the study of language use in different social contexts.
2) As students progress through the programme, they will have the chance to study a range of more specialised and applied modules, looking for example at the relationship between language, gender and identity, the way language is processed in the mind, everyday creativity, the role of English in new media, and the teaching of English.
3) To develop research skills in English Language.
4) The wide range of reasoning, research, independent learning, communication and organisational skills acquired from this programme equips graduates to pursue further study or employment in English and related disciplines, and is readily transferable to a wide range of commercial, cultural and professional careers.
The year abroad (where applicable to Joint Honours programmes) will provide students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the society and culture of a foreign country while gaining experience of a different academic environment and way of teaching. The year abroad also provides an opportunity for students to improve their existing language proficiency (where applicable) as well as enhancing their organisation and communication skills and their employability through a proven ability to succeed in a foreign setting.
History:
The History side of the programme provides students the opportunity to acquire an understanding of historical events and processes – and of the enduring legacies of the past – across a range of topics that span a diverse range of chronologies (from the Bronze Age to the present day) and geographies and scales (from the West Midlands to Africa, Asia, and the Americas). In so doing, the programme develops a range of analytical and organisational skills, independent and critical thinking, and the ability to synthesise and communication information and ideas. These attributes will be developed through three interlocked strands of the curriculum:
• Studying History through which students will develop a specialist knowledge of particular historical topics that span a range of periods (from the ancient world to the present day), of geographies (from the local to the global), and themes;
• Understanding History through which students will develop an understanding of the theoretical and methodological development of the discipline and its place in contemporary culture and society;
• and Doing History through which students will undertake original historical research both as an individual and as part of a team.
The programme also attunes students to contemporary challenges within and beyond the discipline – globalisation; sustainability; inequalities – to the importance of thinking critically about heritage, conservation, and the place of the past in public life. As such diversity is the heart of the curriculum. The programme recovers and reintegrates the voices of those previously marginalised by virtue of race, gender, sexuality, (dis)ability, or excluded by virtue of dominant narratives of the past and enables and encourages students to explore the histories and cultures of different peoples, societies, and cultures from around the world. The programme challenges students to engage with communities in the city, the region, and beyond.
The programme facilitates the development of a wide and diverse range of transferable skills – in research, in analysis, in evaluation and synthesis, in organisation, and in communication – and thus prepares students both for further study and for a wide range of careers beyond the academy.
For year abroad programmes only:
The year abroa
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:
History: A broad body of historical information characterised by geographical range. thematic breadth and chronological depth.
The range of sources available to historians – including, but not limited to, textual primary evidence – and an awareness of both their value and their limitations.
The historiographical development of core debates in and beyond the discipline, history, and an appreciation of the reasons for continued controversies;
The conceptual, theoretical, and ideological influences on historical events and processes, and on their interpretation.
The enduring legacies of the past and the relevance of historical knowledge and understanding to the interpretation of contemporary events.
Year Abroad only: Demonstrate the ability to study relevant topics at an international institution and appreciate the difference between study in the UK and overseas.
Lang Path 1: One or more specialised area(s) of English Language and Linguistics: its theories, historical varieties, methods of discovery and major conceptual paradigms;
Lang Path 2: The history and development of the English language, or the grammar, syntax and lexis of Old English, and the critical and cultural frameworks within which it is studied;
Lang Path 3: Analytic practices in the description of the English language and traditions in linguistic theory;
Lang Path 4: The variation of English language in different situational and developmental contexts and the theoretical frameworks within which such variety is studied;
Lang Path 5: The grammar, discourse and lexis of varieties of English and critical and cultural frameworks within which such variation is studied.
(Year Abroad only) Demonstrate the ability to study relevant topics at an international institution and appreciate the difference between study in the UK and overseas.
1-5: Attendance at and contributions to lectures, seminars, and tutorials, alongside independent study and engagement with digital resources and exercises.
6: Year Abroad (as delivered by the host institution).
(Lang Path 1-5) Lectures and seminars (L1, 2 & 3) and student-led seminars (L3). Independent study in groups (L1; supported by lectures and group supervision) and individually (L1, supported by lectures and individual supervision; L2, supported by group seminars and individual supervision) prepares students for work on an individually supervised research project or dissertation at L3. Formative written exercises and essays as well as non-assessed student presentations and group work provide students with opportunities to practice and refine their skills at all levels.
(6) Year abroad
History
1-5: The completion of written formative and summative coursework (i.e. essays, assignments, source analyses, book or article reviews, portfolio assessment, take-home papers, and – for BA only – Dissertations) of varying lengths.
6: Year Abroad Module (assessment as required by host institution).
(Lang Path 1-5) Assessment is by written assignment, essay and portfolio. Students may choose to write a dissertation or research project in this area (BA only).
(6 Year abroad) Assessed as required by host institution
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:
History: The ability to evaluate, analyse, synthesise, and interpret a wide range of primary and secondary historical material, and to demonstrate an appropriate awareness of the historical contexts in which these materials were produced
The ability to understand relevant methods and concepts from historical studies and from other related disciplines – including, but not limited to, anthropology, archaeology, economics, political science, and sociology – and to apply these in conjunction with historical evidence.
The ability to communicate ideas and arguments effectively both in writing – across a range of different forms and styles – and orally, displaying appropriate intellectual flexibility and disciplined imagination
Lang Path 1: The capacity to analyse and critically examine diverse forms of discourse, and from both readerly and writerly perspectives;
Combined English Language and History 1: Independent study skills (self-organisation, initiative and self-direction; time management; autonomous research skills; the ability to collect, organise, synthesise and evaluate information; planning, drafting and editing)
Combined English Language and History 2: The ability to produce an extended piece of academic writing, drawing on independent study skills acquired on the programme
Combined English Language and History 3: Transferable skills relevant to employment, including problem-solving, self-reliance, initiative, adaptability, flexibility, resilience, self-motivation, and competences such as note-taking, the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, ability to use and manipulate digital resources and to present information and ideas effectively using ICT.
Combined English Language and History 4: Ability to summarise, synthesise, analyse and evaluate others’ arguments, and to formulate their own logical and structured arguments, normally both orally and in writing, with appropriate supporting evidence
Combined English Language and History 5: Ability to work as a member of a team in a range of contexts, including the capacity to listen, to respond flexibly to feedback, to understand diverse perspectives, and to negotiate solutions collectively
Combined English Language and History 6: Cross-cultural awareness (ability to understand, communicate effectively and interact with people across cultures)
Combined English Language and History 7: To develop a range of marketable skills including problem solving, communication, patience and perseverance, determination, self-motivation, analytical and study skills through direct interactions with society and institutions in another country.
History
1-3: Attendance at and contributions to lectures, seminars, and tutorials, alongside independent study and engagement with digital resources and exercises.
Lang Path 1: Lectures and seminars (LC, I & H) and student-led seminars (LH). Formative written exercises and essays as well as non-assessed student presentations and group work provide students with opportunities to practice and refine their skills at all levels.
Combined English Language and History 1-5: Lectures and seminars; an individually supervised dissertation at LH; peer-review of formative essays and formative presentations; documentary work; Historical Reflections; bibliographic support; collaborative and independent study; self-evaluation.
Combined English Language and History 6-8: Year abroad
History
1-3: The completion of written formative and summative coursework (i.e. essays, assignments, source analyses, book or article reviews, portfolio assessment, take-home papers) of varying lengths. Participation in oral presentations of varying length and format, delivered either as an individual or as part of a group.
Lang Path 1: Assessment is by written assignment, essay and portfolio. Students may choose to write a dissertation or research project in this area (BA only).
Combined English Language and History 1-5:Assessment by written assignment, essay, portfolio, presentation, timed assignments, dissertation, research project.
The completion of written formative and summative coursework (i.e. essays, assignments, source analyses, book or article reviews, portfolio assessment, take-home papers) of varying lengths. Participation in oral presentations of varying length and format, delivered either as an individual or as part of a group.
Combined English Language and History 6-8: Assessed as required by host institution
