Programme Specification
BA (Hons) Liberal Arts
Academic Year: 2022/23
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:
- Reg. XX (Undergraduate Awards) (see University Regulations)
- Module Specifications
- Summary
- Aims
- Learning outcomes
- Structure
- Progression & weighting
Programme summary
| Awarding body/institution | Loughborough University |
| Teaching institution (if different) | |
| Owning school/department | School of Social Sciences and Humanities |
| Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body | |
| Final award | BA (Hons)/ BA (Hons) + DPS/BA (Hons) + DIntS |
| Programme title | Liberal Arts |
| Programme code | HTUB09 |
| Length of programme | 3 years full-time / 4 years full-time with placement year. 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 | |
| Admissions criteria | |
| Date at which the programme specification was published | Mon, 16 Aug 2021 11:02:13 BST |
1. Programme Aims
- Develop an understanding of the value of the liberal arts for critical thinking that crosses disciplinary boundaries.
- Employ the liberal arts to understand the social and cultural conditions, past and present, and how identities, inequalities, and diversity shape who we are and what it means to be human in the modern world.
- Instil enthusiasm and engagement with liberal arts subjects through a flexible and varied set of curricula, delivered through focused subject pathways.
- Enable independent, critical, and creative thought, producing analyses across a diverse set of creative and cultural media, methods and perspectives.
- Enhance graduate employability through developing discipline-specific, transferable and interpersonal skills.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, March 2018.
QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for History of Art, Architecture and Design, December 2019.
QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for English, December 2019.
QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for History, December 2019.
QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies, December 2019.
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 The interdisciplinary nature of the liberal arts, perceiving that component subjects are dynamic, plural, and contested.
K2 Key subjects, themes, concepts, and praxis within the Liberal Arts programme and its constituent disciplinary subjects, and the theoretical frameworks in which these are discussed, assessed and applied.
K3 Key methodologies and approaches used in the interpretation of texts, visual media, data, and/or other sources.
K4 Theories and ways of thinking that are decolonised and diverse, that recognise canonicity but appreciate too the benefits of decentring and challenging traditional disciplinary modes and methods.
3.2 Skills and other attributes
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
C1 Undertake analysis to explore, explain, and assess social, cultural, and/or political ideologies, changes, influences, and impacts.
C2 Evaluate and assess different critical and methodological positions.
C3 Engage in close analysis of textual, visual, digital and/or other sources.
C4 Construct and support effective, persuasive arguments by synthesising, analysing, linking, and critiquing relevant sources, concepts, theories and/or methodologies.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
P1 Apply critical thinking and decision-making, drawing on perspectives from Liberal Arts subjects, in class participation and group work.
P2 Analyse ideas, theories, methods, and interpretations from different disciplines within the Liberal Arts.
P3 Use research databases specific to different Liberal Arts disciplines to assemble information, evidence, and sources, and to navigate digitised archives effectively.
P4 Plan and design a final project, undertaking the required independent research.
c. Key transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
T1 Demonstrate advanced oral and written communication, tailoring information for a variety of purposes and audiences.
T2 Take initiative and responsibility for their own work, while also being able to work co-operatively with others as part of a team.
T3 Organise themselves effectively, including planning and time management.
T4 Use appropriate electronic resources and communications technology for presenting information.
4. Programme structure
The optional and pathway modules listed below are indicative of the modules typically offered on the programme, subject to availability and timetable permitting.
INTRODUCTORY MODULES
Part A
Students complete a total of 120 credits (with a minimum of 50 and maximum of 70 credits per semester).
In Part A all students undertake 90 credits of compulsory modules with the remaining 30 credits from either Option Group 1 or Option Group 2.
Compulsory Modules
Semester 1
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
HTAXXX |
Introduction to Liberal Arts |
10 |
|
HTA700 |
Narrative Forms |
20 |
|
PIA705 |
The Atlantic World: The Americas, Europe and Africa since the 15th Century |
20 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
HTAXXX |
Liberal Arts and the Public Sphere |
20 |
|
HTAXXX |
Introduction to Modern and Contemporary Art and Design |
20 |
Option Group 1
Semesters 1 and 2
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PIA901 |
Introduction to Philosophy [10 credits Sem 1: 10 credits Sem 2] |
20 |
Semester 2 – One 10-credit module from:
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
LANXXX |
A 10-credit module from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. Languages offered are: French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish |
10 |
|
HTA005 |
Introduction to Film Studies |
10 |
|
HTA512 |
Slavery to Black Lives Matter: African American Culture, 1840-2020 |
10 |
Option Group 2
Semester 1 – Language module
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
LANXXX |
A 10-credit module from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. Languages offered are: French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish |
10 |
Semester 2 – Two 10-credit modules from:
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
LANXXX |
A 10-credit module from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. Languages offered are: French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish |
10 |
|
HTA005 |
Introduction to Film Studies |
10 |
|
HTA512 |
Slavery to Black Lives Matter: African American Culture, 1840-2020 |
10 |
DEGREE MODULES
Part B
Students complete a total of 120 credits (with a minimum of 50 and maximum of 70 credits per semester).
All students take the Interdisciplinary Critical Approaches in Liberal Arts module (20 credits). In addition, students choose TWO of the three pathways (40 credits each). Students also choose 20 credits of options.
Compulsory modules (20 credits)
Semesters 1 & 2
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
HTBXXX |
Critical Approaches in Liberal Arts [10 credits Sem 1: 10 credits Sem 2] |
20 |
Art History and Visual Culture Pathway (40 credits) – in this pathway, students must take both modules:
Semester 1
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
HTBXXX |
Contemporary Art and Theory |
20 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
HTBXXX |
Visual Cultures: Histories and Theories |
20 |
English Pathway (40 credits) – in this pathway, students must choose two of the following three modules:
Semester 1
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
HTB710 |
Love and Life in Stuart-Era Literature |
20 |
|
HTB008 |
Victorian Literature (post 1800) |
20 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
HTB712 |
Modernisms (post 1800) |
20 |
History Pathway (40 credits) – in this pathway, students must choose two of the following three modules:
Semester 1
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PIB728 |
Victorian Values Reconsidered |
20 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PIB639 |
From Rebellion to Partition: British India, 1857-1947 |
20 |
|
PIB712 |
Modern Germany: Recovery from Ruin, 1945-present |
20 |
Optional modules
Students should select modules totalling 20 credits from the list below or from modules not otherwise chosen as part of their chosen pathways in the list above.
Semesters 1 and 2
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PIB902 |
Contemporary Debates in Philosophy [10 credits Sem 1: 10 credits Sem 2] |
20 |
Semester 1
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
LANXXX |
A 10-credit module from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. Languages offered are: French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish |
10 |
|
PIB629 |
History of Political Thought |
10 |
|
SSB216 |
Women and Crime |
10 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
LANXXX |
A 10-credit module from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. Languages offered are: French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish |
10 |
|
HTB065 |
Psychiatric Stories: Madness in Literature and Culture |
10 |
|
SSB023 |
Religion and Society |
10 |
Part I
Students registered on the four-year programme will undertake one of the following approved study and/or work placements leading to the Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) or Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) in accordance with Regulation XI.
|
Code |
Title |
|
HTI001 |
Diploma in Professional Studies (Work Placement) |
|
HTI002 |
Diploma in International Studies (Study abroad) |
|
GYI100 |
Year in Enterprise (Diploma in Professional Studies) |
|
GYI200 |
Professional Training Placement & Overseas Study (DIntS) |
|
LAN900 |
Diploma in International Studies (overseas work placement in a foreign language) |
Part C
Students complete a total of 120 credits (with a minimum of 50 and maximum of 70 credits per semester). Students must continue with the two disciplinary pathways chosen at Part B and complete 40 credits in each.
Compulsory modules (20 or 40 credits)
Students must choose ONE of the following compulsory modules:
EITHER Semesters 1 and 2
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
HTCXXX |
Long Final Project [20 credits Sem1: 20 credits Sem 2] |
40 |
OR Semester 1
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
HTCXXX |
Short Final Project |
20 |
Art History and Visual Culture Pathway (40 credits) – in this pathway, students must take both modules:
Semester 1
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
HTCXXX |
Philosophy of Fashion |
20 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
HTCXXX |
Nineteenth-Century Bodies |
20 |
English Pathway (40 credits) – in this pathway, students must choose two of the following four modules:
Semester 1
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
|
HTC229 |
Neo-Victorianism |
20 |
|
|
HTC024 |
Twenty-first century literature |
20 |
|
Semester 2
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
HTC001 |
Radicals and Reactionaries: Writing Women in 1890s |
20 |
|
HTC300 |
Adapting Shakespeare |
20 |
History Pathway (40 credits) – in this pathway, students must choose two of the following four modules:
Semester 1
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PIC713 |
Jim Crow, Bootleggers and Okies: American Cultural History |
20 |
|
PIC703 |
Sex and Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll: Britain in the Swinging Sixties |
20 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PIC720 |
After Empire: South Asia since 1945 |
20 |
|
PIC719 |
Convicts and Kangaroos: Australia, 1788-1868 |
20 |
Optional modules
Students who select the 20-credit Short Final Project HTCXXX must select an additional 20-credits from the following or from modules not otherwise selected as part of their chosen pathway in the list above.
Semester 1
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
XXXXXX |
A 10-credit module from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. Languages offered are: French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish |
10 |
|
XXCXXX |
To include other appropriate optional modules from SSH (excluding GY) |
|
Semester 2
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
XXXXXX |
A 10-credit module from a list supplied by the Language Centre, levels dependent on candidates’ previous qualifications. Languages offered are: French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish |
10 |
|
|
A suitable 10-credit option for students who fail LAN module in S1 |
10 |
|
XXCXXX |
To include other appropriate optional modules from SSH (excluding GY) |
|
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 satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.
In order to be eligible for the award Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) or Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS), candidates must satisfy the minimum requirements set out in Regulation XI.
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. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio 40-60 (40% at Part B, 60% at Part C) to determine the final percentage mark.
