Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

MA English (2014 and 2015 entry)

Academic Year: 2017/18

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different)
Owning school/department School of the Arts, English and Drama
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body
Final award MA/ PGDip /PGCert
Programme title English
Programme code EAPT31, EAPT32
Length of programme The minimum duration of the programme is one calendar year full-time, two calendar years part-time.
UCAS code
Admissions criteria

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/departments/arts/english/

Date at which the programme specification was published Thu, 27 Jul 2017 22:24:25 BST

1. Programme Aims

  • to provide an intellectually stimulating environment and academic context in which critical analysis of written texts is valued;

  • to enable students to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of  language and literature through specialist study and research, culminating in their design of a substantial, automonous research project addressing a significant aspect of literary study;

  • to extend students’ command and understanding of relevant concepts, theories, cultural contexts, and critical terminology appropriate to specialist areas of English studies;

  • to enhance students’ ability to question, appraise, and analyse literature, theory, and research findings;

  • to develop students’ skills and competences in a range of research methods and techniques relevant to the investigation of language and literature;

  • to nurture students’ enthusiasm and passion for their special subject area and enhance their career and employability skills.

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)
  • SEEC Level Descriptors
  • University Learning and Teaching Strategy

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

 On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of

K1  how different social, historical, and cultural contexts affect the nature of literary forms,  genres, and meaning, textual production and reception;

K2  how key concepts, ideas and concerns in the production and analysis of literary texts alter over time;

K3   contemporary debates on appropriate frameworks, theories, and modes of analysis in literary studies;

K4  the different approaches to texts taken by specialists in different historical periods, literary or linguistic fields;

K5  several specific research areas under academic guidance, including one of their devising;

K6  the different modes of research possible in literary and linguistic study, including digital developments.

 

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

 

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

C1  critically analyse and evaluate literary texts;

C2  critically analyse and evaluate research findings;

C3  apply and adapt conceptual frameworks to literary texts;

C4  recognise and analyse new and emerging trends in the study of  English;

C5  engage with and evaluate major philosophies and doctrines and the impact these have   on texts.

 

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1  identify appropriate areas for research;

P2  develop appropriate strategies and research methodologies to address ideas or themes in self-chosen projects;

P3  construct a written argument, using close-reading skills;

P4  assess the relevance of current critical thinking to the interpretation of texts;

P5  employ bibliographic skills appropriate to the discipline, including accurate citation of texts and scholarly conventions of presentation. 

 

 

c. Key transferable skills:
 

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

T1  demonstrate well-developed writing skills; 

T2  conduct effective research and evaluate research findings; 

T3  manage and direct their own research project, including effective time management, self-study, drafting and editing; 

T4  participate effectively in group and one-to-one discussions; 

T5  present complex ideas in concise ways; 

T6  reflect upon and analyse their own learning, research and writing.

 

 

4. Programme structure

4.1     To be eligible for consideration for these awards, students must obtain appropriate credit from the following compulsory and optional modules.

Compulsory modules in Semesters 1 and 2 account for a total of 105 credits , with optional choices in Semesters 1 and 2 accounting for a total of 75 credits, bringing the total number of credits to the required weighting of 180 credits across both semesters.          

Semester 1 

Compulsory

EAP100

Resources for Advanced Research

15 credits

EAP101

Research Mentorship

30 credits

 

 

 

Optional (Choose one)

EAP102

Icons and Iconoclasts

15 credits

EAP007

Special Subject 2 (by special arrangement only)

15 credits

Semester 2

Compulsory

EAP018

Dissertation

60 credits

 

Optional (Choose two)

EAP104

Boundaries and Transgressions

30 credits

EAP103

Texts and Technologies

30 credits

EAP105

Special Subject 3 (by special arrangement only)

30 credits

  

4.2       The subjects for the Dissertation module (EAP018) must be approved in advance by the Programme Leader or nominee, and dissertations must be submitted by a specified date in the first half of September. The dissertation should be a maximum of 15,000 words in length.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1      In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

5.2      Students will normally be permitted to proceed to the Dissertation module (EAP018) only after successfully accumulating 120 credit units. 

5.3      Students taking the Dissertation module may also be required to take an oral examination on the work submitted. 

5.4      In accordance with Regulation XXI, candidates who have the right of reassessment in a module will be offered an opportunity to be reassessed in the University’s special assessment period.

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

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