Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
LE11 3TU
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

BA (Hons) English; BA (Hons) English Literature; BA (Hons) English with Creative Writing (2018 - 2019 entry)

Academic Year: 2019/20

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 BA (Hons)/ BA (Hons) + DIntS/+ DPS
Programme title English/English Literature/English with Creative Writing
Programme code EAUB01/EAUB13/EAUB14
Length of programme The duration of the programme is 6 or 8 semesters. Candidates following the four year programme are required to spend either: an approved placement in professional industry leading to the award of Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) or: an approved study at a University abroad leading to the award of the Diploma in International Studies (DintS). The sandwich year (part I) must be taken after satisfactory completion of Part B and before the commencement of Part C.
UCAS code Q300, Q301/ Q320, Q321/ QW38, Q3W8
Admissions criteria

English BA (Hons) - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/q300

English BA (Hons) + DIntS/DPS - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/q301

English Literature BA (Hons) - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/q320

English Literature BA (Hons) + DIntS/DPS - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/q321

English with Creative Writing BA (Hons) - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/qw38

English with Creative Writing BA (Hons) + DIntS/DPS - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/q3w8

Date at which the programme specification was published Wed, 17 Jul 2019 17:17:29 BST

1. Programme Aims

The programme seeks to:

  • encourage in students a sense of enthusiasm for the study of English and foster engagement with reading, writing and visual sources, through a broad and diverse curriculum;
  • encourage students to reflect critically upon acts of writing and reading in English, and on the history of textual production and reception;
  • promote understanding of verbal creativity and appreciation of the aesthetic features of literary and non-literary texts;
  • enable students to think independently, reason critically, analyse different forms of discourse, and weigh the importance of alternative arguments and perspectives;
  • instill in students advanced competence in oral and written communication;
  • develop a range of subject specific and generic skills of value in graduate employment, including highly developed critical, analytical and research 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: 

  • the distinctive characteristics of the different literary genres of fiction, poetry, drama and other kinds of writing and communication;
  • a range of authors and texts from different periods of history, including those before 1800;
  • the relationship between literature and other forms of cultural production;
  • the role of critical traditions in shaping literary history, and the importance of the linguistic, literary, cultural and socio-historical contexts in which literature is written and read;
  • the appropriate and precise use of critical, linguistic and stylistic terminology;
  • the range and variety of contemporary approaches to literary study which may include creative practice and its theorization;
  • how literature and language produce and reflect cultural change;
  • the structure and functions of the English language and of its regional and global varieties;

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

  • use critical skills in the close reading and analysis of texts;
  • show sensitivity to generic conventions and to the shaping effects on communication of circumstances, authorship, textual production and intended audience;
  • demonstrate awareness of how different social and cultural contexts affect judgments about the nature of language and literature;
  • show understanding of the critical and theoretical models that apply to their studies; appreciate of the central role of language in the creation of meaning;
  • rhetorical skills of effective communication and argument;
  • where appropriate, demonstrate the use of theories and techniques of writing in their own creative work.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

  • present cogent and persuasive arguments both in written and oral form and be able to respond to a range of texts through creative or analytical writing;
  • critically evaluate the effectiveness and value of a wide range of oral and written communication.
  • Demonstrate advanced and effective research skills, including the ability to access, work with, and evaluate digital sources;
  • demonstrate the capacity for independent thought and judgment through critical or creative practice;
  • deploy a broad range of critical vocabulary and appropriate theoretical terminology;
  • demonstrate bibliographic skills appropriate to the discipline, and expertise in accurately citing sources and using scholarly conventions in the presentation of work.
c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: demonstrate advanced literacy and communication skills: 

  • demonstrate advanced analytical skills and be able to handle complex information in a structured and systematic way;
  • understand and be able to interrogate and apply a variety of theoretical and interpretive positions and be able to weigh the importance of alternative perspectives;
  • show the capacity to adapt and transfer the critical methods of the discipline to a variety of working environments;
  • show their ability to initiate and take responsibility for their own work;
  • work with others through the presentation of ideas and the collective negotiation of solutions;
  • demonstrate high-level IT skills and the ability to access work with and evaluate electronic resources;
  • demonstrate effective organisational and time-management skills.

4. Programme structure

All modules are weighted at 20 credits except for the Part C Dissertation module which is a 40 credit weighting. For BA (Hons) English with Creative Writing, the dissertation must showcase creative writing; for BA (Hons) English Literature, the dissertation must be on an approved topic in English Literature. Optional module titles are indicative of the options typically offered on the programmes, subject to availability and timetable permitting.

Students will be given appropriate academic advice each year, and can develop a concentration in either creative writing (for BA Hons English with Creative Writing) or English Literature (for BA Hons English Literature).

Students may select modules (with a total weighting of 20 credits) from those listed in the School Catalogue or the University’s Module Catalogue subject to approval by the School.

Students may not take more than 60 credits per semester (e.g. compulsory and optional choices cannot be made such that the credits carried are other than 60/60 weighted in a year).

4.1 Part A

Part A Compulsory Modules (100 credits for BA Hons English, BA Hons English Literature) 

Semester one (60 credits)

Semester two (40 credits)

EAA102

Exploring Language and Linguistics (Introduction to Language)

EAA011

Writing in History

EAA104

Analysing Poetry: Metre, Form and Meaning (Introduction to Poetry

EAA701

Theory That Matters: Critiquing Inequalities (Literary and Critical Theories)

EAA700

Narrative Forms and Fiction

 

 

Optional Modules In semester two, in addition to the above compulsory modules, the student must choose a 20 credit optional module.

Semester one

Semester two (20 credits)

 

 

 

EAA001

Introduction to Film Studies

EAA003

Elephants and Engines: An Introduction to Creative Writing

Part A Compulsory Modules (100 credits for BA Hons English with Creative Writing) 

Semester one (60 credits)

Semester two (40 credits)

EAA700

Narrative Forms and Fiction

EAA701

Theory That Matters: Critiquing Inequalities (Literary and Critical Theories)

EAA102

Exploring Language and Linguistics (Introduction to Language)

EAA003

Elephants and Engines: An Introduction to Creative Writing

EAA104

Analysing Poetry: Metre, Form and Meaning (Introduction to Poetry

 

 Optional Modules In semester two, in addition to the above compulsory modules, the student must choose a 20 credit optional module.

Semester one

Semester two (20 credits)

 

 

 

 

EAA001

Introduction to Film Studies

 

EAA011

Writing in History

 

4.2 Part B

Compulsory Modules (BA Hons English: total modular weight 40 credits. BA Hons English with Creative Writing and BA Hons English Literature: total modular weight 60 credits).  

BA Hons English and BA Hons English with Creative Writing students must choose at least one module each semester from the modules listed below. One of these must be a pre-1800 module and one must be a post-1800 module. 

Semester one (min. 20 credits)

Semester two (min. 20 credits)

EAB710

 

Renaissance Writings (pre 1800)

EAB711

Eighteenth Century Literature (pre 1800)

 EAB008

Victorian Literature (post 1800)

 

EAB712

Modernisms (post 1800)

BA Hons English Literature students will be required to take three of the compulsory options listed above, and will be required to develop a concentration of options around English Literature.

BA Hons English with Creative Writing students must take the compulsory module:

Semester one

Semester two (min. 20 credits)

 

 

EAB402

Maps and Motors pre-requisite EAA003

       

Students will be guided in their choices through regular meetings with academic staff.

Optional modules will be available in the following subject areas:

  • Literature from 1350 to the present

  • Language and Linguistics

  • Creative Writing

  • American Literature and Film

    Modules will also be available in a variety of staff research led modules, including the 1400s to the present day, encompassing Poetry, Prose, Drama, Film and The Digital Age.

    Interdisciplinary School Module Options 

    Students may choose to take one interdisciplinary School module in semester two and these optional modules will be available in the following subject areas:

  • History of Art, Architecture and Design

  • Visual Culture

  • Arts Management

  • Creative Writing

  • Language, Literature and Culture

  • Publishing 

     


    4.3 Part I - Total modular weight of 120 credits 

    DPS Route Candidates will undertake an approved placement leading to the Diploma in Professional Studies or,

    DINTS Route Candidates will undertake an approved international placement leading to the Diploma in International Studies.  

    Participation in placement opportunities is subject to Departmental approval and subject to satisfactory academic performance during Parts A and B.

     4.4 Part C 

    Compulsory Modules: Students are advised to select a Dissertation topic that reflects their specialist interests.  For BA (Hons) English with Creative Writing, the dissertation must showcase creative writing; for BA (Hons) English Literature, the dissertation must be on an approved topic in English Literature. 

Semester one and two

 

 

EAC009

Dissertation (year-long, 40 credit module)  

 
 
     

 

 BA (Hons) English Literature students must take:

Semester one

Semester two (20 credits)

 

 

EAC***

Shakespeare and Adaptations

       

BA (Hons) English with Creative Writing student must take:

Semester one (20 credits)

Semester two

EAC***

Driving on: Writing Towards Publication

 

 

       

Optional Modules (Fo r BA (Hons) English: total modular weight 80 credits. For BA (Hons) English Literature and BA (Hons) English with Creative Writing: total modular weight 60 credits

Part C Students can choose a maximum of 20 credits from modules available at Part B

 Optional modules will be available in the following subject areas:

  • Literature from 1350 to the present

  • Language and Linguistics

  • Creative Writing

  • American Literature and Film 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX

5.2 Provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates who have the right of reassessment 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.

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