Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The Department seeks to

• encourage in its students a sense of enthusiasm for the subject and a full understanding of its social and cultural significance
• develop the ability of students to think creatively, to read critically and to be both sensitive and disciplined in their approach to their studies
• educate its students to think independently, to reason critically, to weigh the importance of alternative arguments and perspectives and to analyse critically different forms of discourse.
• The 4 year industrial placement option allows students to explore and apply language skills acquired during their teaching within a foreign environment and culture, becoming more fluent and confident in speaking their chosen second language.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• The English Benchmark Statement

• Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas: 

• substantial knowledge of a range of authors and texts from different periods of literary history, including those before 1800;
• an understanding of the distinctive characteristics of the different literary genres of fiction, poetry and drama, and an appreciation of the structure and functions of the English language;
• an awareness of the role of critical traditions in shaping literary history and a knowledge of the linguistic, literary, cultural and socio-historical contexts in which literature is written and read;
• the ability to deploy useful and precise critical terminology;
• an appreciation of the power of imagination in literary creation and have an awareness of the range and variety of contemporary approaches to literary study. 

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of the programme students will have acquired:

• critical skills in the close reading and analysis of texts and will have a thorough understanding of texts, concepts and theories relating to English studies;
• an appreciation of the central role of language in the creation of meaning and will have gained rhetorical skills of effective communication and argument;
• bibliographic skills appropriate to the discipline and will be practised in the accurate citation of sources and in the use of conventions in the presentation of scholarly work.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• present cogent and persuasive arguments both in oral and written form;
• critically assess the effectiveness and value of a wide range of oral and written communications;
• demonstrate advanced and effective research skills, including the ability to access and assess electronic data.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should

• possess advanced analytical skills and should be able to handle complex information in a structured and systematic way
• communicate effectively and work with others through the presentation of ideas and the collective negotiation of solutions
• understand and apply a variety of theoretical and interpretive positions, and should be able to weigh the importance of alternative perspectives
• possess effective organisational and time-management skills

4. Programme structure

Candidates may apply to the Head of Department for permission to undertake study abroad at Acadia University, Canada, or the National University of Singapore.  Candidates can apply to take a single semester or full academic year abroad. The study abroad option would be in place of study at Loughborough for either a full academic year or a single semester during Part B of the degree programme.

 Candidates may apply to the Head of Department for permission to undertake an approved course of study at a European University which is a member of the EU approved Erasmus exchange programme.  Candidates can apply to take a single semester or a full academic year abroad. The exchange option would be in place of study at Loughborough for either a full academic year or a single semester during Part B of the degree programme.

4.1 Part A - Introductory Modules

In the course of Semester 1 and Semester 2, candidates may choose module(s) with a total weight of 20 from modules taught by departments other than English and Drama.

Candidates may choose optional modules so as few as 50 or as many as 70 credit units are attempted in a semester, provided that 120 credit units are accumulated over the year.

Semester 2

4.2 Part B - Degree Modules

In the course of Semester 1 and Semester 2, candidates may choose module(s) with a total weight of 20 from modules offered to Single Honours Drama students if they have taken pre-requisite modules, or from modules taught by departments other than English and Drama.

Candidates may choose optional modules so that as few as 50 or as many as 70 credit units are attempted in a semester, provided that 120 credit units are accumulated over the year.

Candidates who register for the Erasmus exchange programme must undertake the placement in place of one semester or both semesters at Part B of the degree programme. For one semester, students must register for a total of 60 credits in English and Drama in addition to the 60-credit Semester Abroad module EAB101. Students wishing to study for a full year at Acadia University, Canada, the National University of Singapore, or Delaware University, USA, OR Virginia Tech University, USA must take the 120-credit Study Abroad module, EAB100. Students who cannot take equivalent modules in place of Part B compulsory modules are required to take EAB001 or EAB008 as part of their Part C credits. 

4.3 Part I 

Students choosing to undertake the study abroad or exchange options in Part B will only be allowed to additionally participate in an assistantship or placement in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the Department. 

Participation in placement is subject to Departmental approval and satisfactory academic performance during Parts A and B.  Registration on the module EU1002 will be at the discretion of the Department of Politics, International Relations and European Studies. 

4.4 Part C - Degree Modules

In the course of Semester 1 and Semester 2, candidates may choose module(s) with a total weight of 20 from modules offered to Single Honours Drama students if they have taken the pre-requisites, or from modules taught by departments other than English and Drama.

Candidates may not choose a total of more than 30 credits in the year that have a prefix of EAB.

Candidates may choose optional modules so that as few as 50 or as many as 70 credit units are attempted in a semester, provided that 120 credit units are accumulated over the year.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B and from Part B to C and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX but also: 

.1   In order to progress from Part A to Part B, obtain at least 40% in all compulsory modules.

.2   In order to progress from Part B to Part C, obtain at least 40% in all compulsory modules.

.3   To be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, obtain at least 40% in all compulsory modules.

Provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates who have the right of re-assessment in any part of the Programme to undergo re-assessment in the University’s special assessment period.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C, in accordance with the scheme set out in Regulation XX.  The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B: 40%, Part C: 60% to determine the final percentage mark.