Degree Programme Specification 2019/2020

External summary

Spanish and Portuguese are two of the most widely spoken languages in the world. Their fascinating literatures and cultures are diverse and vibrant and have influenced countries and cultures around the world. Hispanic Studies at the University of Edinburgh will not only perfect your language skills, but will provide opportunities to explore the Hispanic culture and its geographical and historical diversity.

The programme offers a comprehensively broad and challengingly deep training in the academic study of the English language. It aims to develop serious academic interest in and specialist knowledge of all well-understood aspects of the English language both historically and currently, and at all relevant levels of structure and analysis. In so doing, it offers opportunities to develop intellectual and methodological capacities in rigorous, exact and strongly-theorised analysis. In so doing, it offers opportunities to develop intellectual and methodological capacities in rigorous, exact and strongly-theorised analysis. English language is a subject which is both historical and descriptive, and both text-focused and theoretical. In these several respects, the subject can be seen as encompassing and reflecting the traditions of both philology and linguistic theory. The University of Edinburgh’s linguistics and phonetics equipment, for use experimentally and in fieldwork, is among the best in the world. Students can also study Scots language which has its own rich linguistic and literary tradition.

Educational aims of programme

The MA Honours Portuguese and English Language degree programme at Edinburgh is designed to develop the student’s interest in, and complex knowledge and understanding of the target country or countries, including their language, history, culture and social issues.  Students will develop the relevance of linguistic theoretical concepts and methods to the study of English.

Furthermore, they will develop key generic skills in critical thinking, conceptual analysis, research, and written and oral articulation of information and argument.

The programme offers society the resource of intellectually trained individuals capable of acting as conduits of knowledge and understanding between British and non-British cultures, as well as using the acquired knowledge to contribute to the wealth creation of Britain and other nations.  Graduates enter employment in many different fields, including the Civil Service, industry, commerce and education.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

Graduates from the Portuguese and English Language degree will acquire knowledge and understanding of:

1. The target language (spoken and written);
2. The target literature past and present;
3. The history and culture of the target country or countries;
4. Political, social and economic issues related to the target country or countries.
5. The phonological description of the basic reference accents of present-day English.
6. The fundamental syntactic and morphological structures of present-day standard British English.
7. Sociolinguistics variation in urban forms of present-day English and Scots.

Acquisition of 1 and 2 is through classes, tutorials and regular coursework.  Additional support is provided through access to the facilities for language learning in the Language and Humanities Centre and to recommended materials on the Web.  The period abroad in the 3rd year provides total immersion in the target language and culture.

Acquisition of 3-7 is through a combination of lectures/classes and tutorials in Years 1 and 2, and subsequently developed through small-group teaching in Year 4.

Throughout, students are encouraged to undertake independent readings to supplement and consolidate what is being taught/learnt and to broaden their individual knowledge and understanding of the subject.

Testing and consolidation of the knowledge base is through a combination of unseen written examinations, essays, seminar presentations, seminar performance, document commentaries, projects, seminar diaries and a dissertation.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

Portuguese and English Language graduates will be able to:

1. retrieve, sift, select and analyse and interpret information from texts and other media in Portuguese and English;
2. analyse a text and reconstruct its arguments, to find its premises, and the inferences drawn from them;
3. distinguish relevant from irrelevant considerations in argument;
4. select and apply a variety of critical approaches to problems informed by uneven evidence;
5. exercise critical judgement in creating new understanding;
6. extract key elements from complex information;
7. ask key questions and exercise rational enquiry, and will be ready to do so;
8. critically to assess existing understanding and the limitations of knowledge and recognition of the need regularly to challenge/test knowledge;
9. search for, evaluate and use information to develop knowledge and understanding;
10. possess an informed respect for the principles, methods, standards, values and boundaries of the discipline(s), as well as the capacity to question these;
11. recognise the importance of reflecting on one’s learning experiences and being aware of one’s own particular learning style;
12. work independently to plan, undertake and (in a scholarly and literate fashion) compose an extended piece of bibliographically-based research on aspects of Portuguese literature and culture and/or English Language.

These intellectual skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme.  Each course, whatever the format of the teaching, involves discussion of key issues, practice in applying concepts both orally and in writing, analysis and interpretation of material, and feedback sessions on work produced.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

Graduates in Portuguese and English Language will be:

1. able work independently and be self-reliant, with readiness to take responsibility for one’s own learning, and commitment to continuous reflection, self-evaluation and self-improvement;
2. open to new ideas, methods and ways of thinking;
3. intellectually curious and able to sustain intellectual interest;
4. able to identify processes and strategies for learning;
5. able to demonstrate and exercise independence of mind and creativity in thought;
6. development of teamwork skills in small-group practical teaching
7. able to test, modify and strengthen their own views through collaboration and debate
8. ability to make decisions on the basis of rigorous and independent thought.

1-8 are all fostered throughout the curriculum. Formative and summative assessment is used to develop, consolidate and evaluate these skills. 1-5 and 8 are particularly developed by the final-year Dissertation.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

Graduates in Portuguese and English Language will be able to:

1. process, structure and communicate ideas effectively and at an advanced level of proficiency, both orally and in written form in both Portuguese and English;
2. communicate clearly and accurately, constructing cogent arguments;
3. participate constructively in group discussions, assessing and responding effectively to the ideas of others;
4. communicate effectively in English to inform others about aspects of Portuguese language and culture;
5. seek and value open feedback to inform genuine self-awareness;
6. articulate their skills as identified through self-reflection.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

Graduates in Portuguese and English Language will be able to:

1. work autonomously, setting their own goals, self-motivating and organising their own learning;
2. manage their time and priorities and work to self-imposed and external deadlines;
3. collaborate effectively and productively with others in the process of learning and presenting conclusions;
4. develop skills in making critical and constructive judgements;
5. respond flexibly, adaptably and proactively to changing surroundings;
6. make decisions with confidence, based on their understanding and personal/intellectual autonomy;
7. transfer knowledge, learning, skills and abilities flexibly from one context to another;
8. work effectively with others, capitalising on diversities of thinking, experience and skills;
9. work with, manage, and leading others in ways that value their diversity and equality and that encourage their contribution;
10. exercise sensitivity to ambiguity and multiplicity of meanings;
11. confidently interact with, and think about, cultural difference.

All skills (1-11) are acquired throughout the degree programme. Skills 3-10 are particularly acquired through interactions with fellow students, tutors and lecturers. The time spent studying abroad also contributes very significantly to 1, 2, 5, 6 and 11.

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

Graduates in Portuguese and English Language will be able to:

1. read, write and speak Portuguese at a high level of proficiency;
2. translate from and into Portuguese;
3. deploy good bibliographical and library research skills, as well as a     range of skills in reading and textual analysis
4. produce coherent and well presented text, sometimes of considerable length;
5. an ability to produce text to meet standard presentational specifications as laid out in a style sheet;
6. an ability to make effective presentations, perhaps using audio visual support;
7. comprehend and use data effectively

Throughout their studies, students take classes and receive instruction in Italian.  The period abroad further promotes active engagement with the language and native speakers of it. Both skills are assessed by class and home exercises, tests and degree examinations (including oral and aural examination). Likewise, the core research and presentational skills (3-6) are fostered throughout the degree programme and are tested in coursework and examinations, especially the final year dissertation. Skill 7 is acquired where the precise programme of study necessitates it.

Assessment:

Programme structure and features

Full details of the degree programme and structure can be found at: http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk

Courses are taught through a combination of lectures and tutorials. 

Progression Requirements: Students are normally expected to have gained 120 credits from each year of study. 

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

Teaching and Learning strategies employed at the University of Edinburgh consist of a variety of different methods appropriate to the programme aims.  The graduate attributes listed above are met through a teaching and learning framework (detailed below) which is appropriate to the level and content of the course.

Teaching and Learning Activities

In Year 1

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Seminars
• Self-Access to the Languages Microlab

In Year 2

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Seminars
• Self-Access to the Languages Microlab

In Year 3 (Study Abroad)

• Lectures
• Work Experience
• Independent Study
• Dissertation
• Year Abroad Work

In Year 4

• Seminars
• Self-Access to the Languages Microlab

Teaching and learning workload

You will learn through a mixture of scheduled teaching and independent study. Some programmes also offer work placements.

At Edinburgh we use a range of teaching and learning methods including lectures, tutorials, practical laboratory sessions, technical workshops and studio critiques.

The typical workload for a student on this programme is outlined in the table below, however the actual time you spend on each type of activity will depend on what courses you choose to study.

Assessment methods and strategies

Courses can be assessed by a diverse range of methods and often takes the form of formative work which provided the student with on-going feedback as well as summative assessment which is submitted for assessment.

In Year 1

• Language Exercises
• Classwork Presentation
• Written Examination
• Coursework Essays

In Year 2

• Language Exercises
• Classwork Presentation
• Written Examination
• Coursework Essays

In Year 3

• Extended Essays
• Coursework
• Dissertation

In Year 4

• Language Exercises
• Classwork Presentation
• Written Examination
• Coursework Essays
• Extended Essays
• Oral Examination
• Dissertation

Assessment method balance

You will be assessed through a variety of methods. These might include written or practical exams or coursework such as essays, projects, group work or presentations.

The typical assessment methods for a student on this programme are outlined below, however the balance between written exams, practical exams and coursework will vary depending on what courses you choose to study.

Career opportunities

Portuguese and English Language graduates from the University of Edinburgh enjoy excellent career prospects.  The communication skills you develop will equip you for a career in business, public relations, banking, journalism, the Civil Service or the legal profession.  Language and analytical skills developed in analysing cultural and political documents can open careers in teaching and translating in the UK or abroad. Your skills will also be valued in worldwide business and administration.

Other items

All students are assigned a Personal Tutor on admission to the degree programme, who oversees the course of the student’s degree programme, offers advice on academic matters (including degree-progression) and should be the student’s first port of call for course-related worries or concerns

Student opinion is actively sought through participation in Staff-Student Liaison Committees, through the election of class- and tutorial-representatives, and by the wide circulation and review of detailed student questionnaires each semester. 

LLC have a student support office, where students can go for advice on degree transfers, course changes, authorised interruption of studies, confirmation letters and general support. Information can be found at: - http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/literatures-languages-cultures/current-students/undergraduate-support

Further information about Division of European Languages and Cultures can be found at http://www.delc.ed.ac.uk/

Further information about English Language can be found at: - http://www.ppls.ed.ac.uk/