PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Language, Culture and History: Dutch Studies
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MA
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
n/a
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
From 2008 entry onwards
(e.g. from 2008 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Arts and Humanities
Parent Department:
Dutch
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
(if applicable)
Method of study:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/selcs/prospectivestudents/postgraduate/language-culture-history-ma/language-culturehistory-dutch-studies
Full-time or part-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
BA with grade 2.1 or equivalent in the Arts, Humanities, Social
Sciences, European Studies or History
Length of the programme:
1 calendar year full-time, 2 calendar years part-time
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
Masters Level (Level 7)
n/a
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
The programme consists of four components: four taught courses
and a dissertation. The core course is specific to the MA Language,
Culture and History. The remaining three courses are selected mainly
from a list of Dutch options including courses on modern history,
literature and translation, but also from other postgraduate taught
programmes. Assessment is by coursework, examination, project
work and a dissertation.
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
MA Language, Culture and History
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
n/a
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The programme aims (a) to equip suitably qualified students with skills, methods, concepts and theories essential
for most fields of Dutch studies and history; (b) to give them the opportunity to apply those methods and theories in
both general and more specialised fields of thought; (c) to introduce students to new and intellectually demanding
areas; and (d) to foster students’ ability to think critically and carry out research independently
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. the society and culture of the modern
Low Countries;
Acquisition of 1 and 2 through the core course and
through courses covering various aspects of the society,
history and literature of the Low Countries and/or
comparative literature;
2. the concepts, techniques and
resources required for the in-depth study
of society, culture, history, language and
literature;
acquisition of 3 through written assignments and oral
presentations and through a culture of reflexive learning
and critical feedback.
3. techniques of effective oral and written
presentation.
Assessment:
Students’ knowledge and understanding is assessed –
depending on courses selected - by a variety of methods
including coursework, essay, oral presentation, unseen
examination and project work.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1 analyse and assess a broad range of
social, cultural, historical, literary and
other issues, in particular as they relate to
the Low Countries;
Acquisition of 1, 2 and 3 is fostered through the core
course and through courses covering cultural, historical,
literary and other topics involving both knowledge
transfer and the critical analysis of particular issues and
problems in their relevant context, and through
encouraging students to develop their special interests
by offering a range of optional courses and a degree of
choice in selecting essay and project topics;
2 apply the relevant theoretical and
analytical concepts, tools and methods to
particular intellectual and practical
problems;
3 place cultural, historical and literary
issues, especially those relating to the
Low Countries, in their appropriate
context;
acquisition of 4 through regular assignments and
presentations requiring critical thought, including work in
groups, seminars, class discussions and both
summative and reflective feedback.
4 think critically and independently,
appreciating the strengths and
weaknesses of their own as well as other
people’s ideas and work.
Assessment:
Students’ intellectual skills are assessed by a variety of
methods including coursework, essay, oral presentation,
unseen examination and project work.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1 plan and carry out a variety of larger
and smaller assignments, tasks and
projects involving sustained exposition
and argument;
Acquisition of 1, 2 and 3 through the core course and
through courses incorporating various formal and
informal tasks and assignments, both oral and written,
requiring the use of a variety of sources of information;
2 gather and process information
effectively in both English and Dutch,
making use of printed sources and IT
tools as appropriate;
acquisition of 4 through courses involving coursework
and oral presentations requiring collaborative work,
including the use of IT-supported communication tools;
3 communicate effectively, both orally
and in writing, about a range of
intellectual and practical issues;
4 engage with others in teamwork and
intellectual debate;
5 maintain a steady rhythm of learning
and critical reflection on learning
acquisition of 5 through a culture of conscious, reflective
learning maintained especially through a system of
regular tutorials and critical feedback on coursework.
Assessment:
Students’ practical skills are assessed through
assignments and projects, essays, oral presentations
and written examinations.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1 engage actively in intellectual and
practical problem-solving and participate
constructively in intellectual debate;
1 to 7 are acquired through all courses requiring regular
written work and/or oral contributions of various kinds,
both assessed and non-assessed; critical feedback is
given orally and in writing and in personal tutorials.
2 communicate effectively both orally and
in writing;
3 explore and assess a variety of theories
and approaches to intellectual and
practical issues;
4 make good use of oral as well as
printed and IT resources as and when
appropriate;
5 is acquired through longer assignments, project work
and the dissertation;
7 is acquired particularly through personal tutorials,
critical feedback on coursework.
5 design and carry out in-depth research
in particular fields;
6 effectively manage one’s own time and
work independently;
7 critically assess one’s own performance
and take appropriate action.
Assessment:
Assignments, essays, project work and examinations
test 1 to 4.
The dissertation tests especially 3 and 5.
Effective communication of and engagement with ideas
(1 and 2) are key criteria in assessing all aspects of
students’ work throughout the programme.
7 is not formally assessed.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Framework-Higher-Education-Qualifications-08.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: 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 he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Name(s):
Head of Department of Dutch / Professor Andrew Leak
Date of Production:
Date of Review:
Date approved by Head of
Department:
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
October 2008
June 2014