BA Linguistics and Philosophy

Year 3

(Award available for year: Bachelor of Arts)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the year students should have provided evidence of being able to:

Research skills
- Produce an autonomous piece of extended research work (the Final-Year Project), responding to guidance and feedback from a supervisor
- Present a structured, sustained argument, and communicate using terminology and concepts appropriate to the field(s) of study
- Evaluate and critically synthesize aspects of recent enquiry in the field(s) of study
- Reflect on, and work in accordance with, the ethical considerations raised in the research process

Subject knowledge
- Demonstrate a coherent and detailed understanding of key terms and concepts associated with at least two broad areas of linguistic enquiry
- Demonstrate a coherent and detailed understanding of central theories and arguments in general philosophy, applied philosophy and the history of philosophy
- Critically evaluate specific approaches to the study of language and philosophy, demonstrating an understanding of the role of empirical evidence in relevant debate
- Identify limitations of current knowledge, and formulate well-supported arguments regarding the extension of that knowledge

Analysis skills
- Plan and execute a thorough linguistic analysis of selected written and/or spoken data
- Demonstrate a thorough command of selected formal, qualitative and/or quantitative methods of linguistic analysis, and an ability to apply selected methods to unfamiliar data or theoretical issues
- Demonstrate an advanced command of discipline-specific analytic techniques
- Demonstrate the ability to identify the underlying issues in a debate, to analyse complex problems and to detect relevance and irrelevance
- Demonstrate the advanced ability to engage critically with the problems explored in the writings of major historical philosophers

Transferable (key) skills

The subject modules provide opportunities for students to practice and develop:
- The transferable skills necessary to non-vocational graduate employment, or to further academic study and/or professional qualifications;
- The exercise of initiative and acceptance of personal responsibility for continued development;
- The ability to assess complex and unpredictable situations, and to make reasoned decisions;
- The communication of information, ideas, problems and solutions to a variety of audiences which shows an awareness of both the possibilities of different media, and the importance of purposes and audience to the design of communication.

Assessment

The achievement of the subject learning outcomes will be assessed by a variety of assessment methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the programme and will include:
- Demonstrating the ability to engage with a relatively broad range of aspects of the discipline;
- Drawing on a range of perspectives on an area of study;
- The ability to evaluate and criticise received opinion;
- Work that shows some evidence of independent thought, through either engagement with scholarship, application of theory to novel data, or depth of enquiry.

Achievement will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will include:
- demonstrating the ability to apply a broad range of aspects of the discipline;
- work that draws on a wide variety of material;
- the ability to evaluate and criticise received opinion;
- demonstrating a broad knowledge base;
- evidencing in-depth investigation.