BA (Hons) English
A joint award of the University of East Anglia and the University of Essex
The information contained within this programme specification is correct as at May 2009
UCAS Course Code: Q300 BA/Engl
UCS Course Code: UCS Ipswich (campus code I)
For guidance see the UCAS web site at www.ucas.com or contact Admissions on 01473 33 88 33 or e-mail admissionsucs.ac.uk|
Level of Award
The FHEQ levels are as follows:
Level 4 – CertHE
Level 5 - DipHE, FdA/FdSc and CertEd
Level 6 - BA/BA (Hons) and PGCE
Level 7 - PgC/PgD/MA/MSc
Entry Requirements
Typical Offer: 280 UCAS tariff points (or equivalent) for 2012 including at least a B at A level in English.
Flexible entry requirements for applicants over 21 who, in the absence of traditional entry qualifications, need to demonstrate that they have the necessary ability and skills.
Course Aims
The aims of the BA Honours in English are:
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To provide an intellectually stimulating and satisfying experience of the study of English
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To provide a rigorous and critical study of language, literature and cultural forms
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To engage students imaginatively in the production, reception and interpretation of written texts, both literary and non-literary, printed and digital
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To provide a study of the nature, uses and varieties of the English Language
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To foster openness of mind, conceptual sophistication in argument and the ability to engage critically with a range of cultural forms and values
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To provide a knowledge of and critical engagement with a range of literatures and other cultural forms, including literature in translation
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To enable students to develop independent critical thinking and judgement
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To provide opportunities for interdisciplinary and contextual approaches including the study of texts in their historical context and the study of film and web-based texts
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To promote the understanding and practice of verbal creativity and foster appreciation of the formal and aesthetic dimensions of literary and other cultural forms
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To develop in students subject specific skills, particularly graduate level critical, literacy, communication and research skills
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To provide opportunities to gain transferable graduate key skills of use in graduate employment
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To provide a basis for further study or postgraduate teacher training in English or related disciplines
Learning Outcomes
These course aims are broken down into sets of related skills, which are known as learning outcomes.
A. Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the course you should have:
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Knowledge of a substantial number texts and authors from different periods in literary and cultural history
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A broad knowledge of the history and development of the English Language
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Knowledge and understanding of the distinctive character of texts, including the principal literary genres, fiction, poetry and drama, as well as other forms of writing and cultural production
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Experience of a range of literatures and other cultural forms in English
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Experience of a range of varieties of the English language
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Knowledge of the structure, levels and discourse functions of the English language
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Awareness of the role of critical traditions in shaping literary and cultural history
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Knowledge of linguistic, literary, cultural and socio-historical contexts in which literature is written and read and other cultural forms are produced and consumed
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Knowledge of and the ability to apply the appropriate critical terminology to the analysis of texts
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An awareness of the range and variety of critical approaches to the study of literature and other cultural forms
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A critical appreciation of the aesthetic and constructed qualities of texts
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An awareness of how language, literature and cultural forms produce and reflect cultural change and difference
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Recognition of the multi-faceted nature of the discipline, critical debates in the continuing development of the subject, and of the complex relationship of English to other disciplines and forms of knowledge
B. Mental or Cognitive Skills
By the end of the course you should have:
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Advanced literacy and communication skills
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The ability to present sustained and persuasive written and oral arguments cogently and coherently
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The capacity to analyse and critically examine diverse forms of discourse
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The ability to adapt and transfer the critical methods of the discipline to different working environments
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Competence in the planning and execution of essays and other forms of coursework
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The capacity for independent thought and judgement
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Skills in critical reasoning
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The ability to work with others in the presentation of ideas and information and in the collective negotiation of solutions
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The ability to understand, interrogate and apply a variety of theoretical positions and weigh the importance of alternative perspectives
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The ability to handle information and argument in a critical and self-reflective manner
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Research skills, including scholarly information retrieval skills, involving the ability to gather, sift and organise material independently and critically, and evaluate its significance
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Information technology skills including word-processing and the ability to access and evaluate electronic data and texts
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Time-management and organisational skills, as shown by the ability to plan and present work effectively
C. Subject Specific and Practical Skills
By the end of the course you should have:
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Critical skills in the close reading and analysis of texts
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Ability to articulate knowledge and understanding of texts, concepts and theories relating to English studies
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Understanding of the significance and conventions of genre
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Understanding of the shaping effects of circumstances, authorship, textual production and intended audience on forms of communication
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Responsiveness to the central role of language in the creation of meaning, and sensitivity to the affective and persuasive power of language
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Rhetorical skills of effective communication, both oral and written
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Command of a broad range of vocabulary and an appropriate critical terminology
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Appropriate bibliographical, citational and scholarly presentation skills
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Awareness of how different social and cultural contexts affect the nature of language and meaning
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Understanding of how cultural norms and assumptions influence questions of judgement
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Ability to critically evaluate a range of critical readings and interpretations of texts
D. Key Skills
Graduates in English are also able to demonstrate and gain credit for graduate level key skills in communication, information technology, problem solving, working with others and reflecting on and improving their own learning.
Benchmarks / Professional Standards / Competency Frameworks
The design of this course has been guided by the following QAA Benchmarks / Professional Standards / Competency Frameworks:
The above Aims and Learning Outcomes are closely informed by the National Benchmarks for English and describe graduate level achievement at Level 6. The Aims and Learning Outcomes, drawn from these benchmark statements, for Certificate in Higher Education at Level 4 and Diploma in Higher Education in English at Level 5 as specified in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications are specified on the following pages.
Timetable
Teaching runs for 24 weeks between September and May. A full time student is expected to complete six modules of 20 credits each year, giving 120 credits. A part-time student will take between 20 and 80 credits a year. Students can expect to attend class for four hours per module per week and to study for approximately 200 hours in total for each 20 credit module, 400 hours over a year for each 40 credit module.
Course Delivery
BA (Hons) English is taught at UCS Ipswich. Lectures, seminars, film screenings, workshops and tutorials are held in the Waterfront building and in the School of Arts and Humanities accommodation in the Arts Building and East Building.
Tutorial and Study Support
Students benefit from individual academic tutorial support where they can discuss their work on modules in English and get support with coursework. The particularly supportive approach of the team enables students to work on any weaknesses and make the most of their studies. Each student is allocated a personal tutor who is able to give guidance on study skills and personal development and act as a referral point if more specific help is needed. UCS Student Support provides specialist help with accommodation, disability, counselling, careers and employability, study skills and welfare.
Alternative format
Should you require this programme specification in an alternative format, please contact us on 01473 338000.
University Campus Suffolk reserves the right to amend the information in this programme specification as and when required.