Overview
Students study literary, cultural and historical texts from a range of periods and regions. They examine traditional and contemporary theoretical approaches and intellectual debates. The degree is designed to develop skills in oral and written communication, independent thinking and the interpretation and critical analysis of historical evidence, and of literary and cultural texts.
Assessment is by a variety of methods including essays, examinations, short written exercises, extended pieces of research and seminar presentations.
Course aims:
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to provide an intellectually satisfying and worthwhile experience of studying and learning within the distinctive frameworks of English and History
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to encourage the development of intellectual maturity, openness of mind and an imaginative and creative approach to problem-solving;
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to enable students to develop a capacity for sophisticated analytical thinking and judgement;
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to enable students to develop a range of subject specific and transferable skills of value in employment including high-order skills in oral and written communication and in the gathering, interpretation and presentation of information;
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to provide the opportunity for students to gain confidence in working both independently and as a member or leader of a group or team;
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to prepare students to undertake further study in English, History and in related disciplines.
Content and Modules
This is a joint Honours degree and modules in both English and History have to be taken throughout the course.
Modules include: a dissertation, Introduction to the Study of Drama, From Cradle to Grave in England 1560-1720, Introduction to Political Ideas, Approaches to Fiction, Reading Poetry, Introduction to Historical Studies, Research Methods, Shakespeare and his Contemporaries, Listening to the Past, Weird Fiction: The Gothic Genre, Britain in the Nineteenth Century, Aspects of East Anglian History, Post-war Literary Culture, Families in England 1600-2000, and Contemporary Fiction.
Further Information
Graduates from this course will enjoy enhanced career and training opportunities in fields such as teaching, the media, administration and management, marketing, law, librarianship and local government. Alternatively students can progress to postgraduate level study at UCS.
Timetable
Full-time student will attend nine hours of class-based lectures/seminars per week. These are spread over two and a half days. Classes may begin at 9.15am and will finish no later than 4.30pm with the majority concluding by 2.45pm. Part-time students will attend on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules taken at any one time.
Delivery
Teaching is by lecture, seminar and academic tutorial. The tuition is enhanced by appearances from guest speakers and by visits to museums, theatre productions and art galleries. All class-based tuition is delivered at the University Campus Suffolk campus in Bury St Edmunds.
Tutorial and Study Support
Academic Tutorials
Academic tutorials enable you to meet with tutors to discuss questions arising from subject matter in general or specific questions related to your academic work. They may take place on a one-to-one basis or in small groups and they assume particular importance during the preparation of assessed coursework and when reflecting on marked coursework after it has been returned to you.
Personal tutorials
Personal tutorials i.e. support and/or advice about non-academic matters affecting your study, is via the Student Welfare team, located within the College Library.
A range of confidential specialist welfare support services are available:
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Finance
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Counselling
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Personal matters affecting your study
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Liaison point for access to specialist UCS Ipswich Student Support services such as careers information and guidance, academic appeals
Study Skills Support
Study skills support can help you to gain or improve the underpinning skills you need to succeed in your university studies. UCS Bury provides tutor-led workshops in the following subjects: Academic writing, Dissertation skills, Library skills for HE, avoiding plagiarism, Harvard referencing, Information Technology, Mathematics & Statistics, Exam preparation and using e-resources effectively.
Contact
Should you wish for further detailed information, please contact the Course Leader, Dr Julian Case by email at Julian.case@wsc.ac.uk or by telephoning (01284) 701301.