BA Modern Languages and Linguistics (German)(For students entering from September 2024 onwards)

Year 1

(Award available for year: Certificate of Higher Educ)

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of Level 1, you will be able to

1. demonstrate understanding of core linguistic terms and concepts

2. outline common approaches to the study of language

3. understand and communicate basic information in the target language (in written and oral forms), and interact in simple conversations (if you start as a beginner)

4. understand and communicate key events and ideas in the target language (in written and oral forms), and take part in everyday conversations (if you start from post-A level or equivalent competence)

5. recognise and describe the basic communicative resources of the target language: vocabulary, grammar, and script (if relevant)

6. develop an awareness of the social norms and cultural values that frame the societies in which the target language is used

7. acquire a basic understanding of the history, culture, and society of the countries where the target language is used

8. Identify and apply the strategies to analyse and contextualise texts from the target culture conveyed in written and audio-visual formats (books, films, digital media content)

Skills Learning Outcomes
1. carry out a basic linguistic analysis of given written and/or spoken data

2. recognise and apply formal, qualitative and quantitative methods of linguistic analysis

3. recognise and apply relevant analytic techniques, such as phonetic transcription, structural annotation and glosses

4. use electronic and library-based resources to investigate familiar and unfamiliar language data

5. identify ethical and methodological issues involved in collecting and analysing linguistic data

6. Explore and use effectively different sources of information and knowledge

7. Evaluate and develop arguments supported by evidence and reasoning

8. Communicate information and knowledge effectively in written and oral forms

9. Use effectively basic digital resources and tools to collect and communicate information and knowledge

10. Identify different perspectives and disciplinary boundaries

11. Demonstrate the ability to meet deadlines

Assessment

You will be working towards the subject specific and skills learning outcomes by engaging with a variety of approaches to assessment, which will depend on the programme, language pathway, and modules that you will take. At Level 1, assessment methods will typically include coursework in English (essays, commentaries) and the target language (short assignments collected in portfolios), oral presentations in English or the target language, exams in the target language that might include elements of English (for example, translation tasks). In Linguistics, assessment may include essays, open book exams, analysis tasks, group presentations, and research projects giving students opportunities to develop key skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, the ability to analyse authentic language data, synthesise information from multiple sources and evaluate theoretical debates.