PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Language, Culture and History: French and Francophone 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 2009 intake onwards
(e.g. from 2008 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Arts and Humanities
Parent Department:
School of European Languages Culture and Society (SELCS)
(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-french-francophone-studies
Full-time or Part-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
A good upper second class degree, or equivalent, in any programme
with an emphasis on French Culture and Language
Length of the programme:
One year full-time or two 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)
Languages and related studies
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
Board of Examiners:
The programme consists of: a core course (30 credits) and
dissertation of 12,000 words (60 credits) which are compulsory, plus
90 credits worth of modules (60 credits taken from modules in the
French Department) for the Taught Pathway. For the Research
Pathway, students take the core course (30 credits) and dissertation
of 18,000 words (90 credits) and two modules from the French
Department totalling 60 credits. Modules are assessed by essay and
examination. Training in research skills (non-assessed) is available
through the Graduate School.
Name of Board of Examiners:
French Board of Examiners/Language, Culture and History Board of
Examiners
N/A
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The programme aims

to provide students with a thorough understanding of key methods and issues in textual criticism, and of
aspects of French and francophone culture, notably literature, art and film;

to teach students to understand and use contemporary critical idioms;

to train students in independent critical thinking;

to equip students with research skills;

to develop students’ communication skills in a range of environments
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. literature and/or other
representational forms and their
contexts (inc. cinema);
Acquisition of 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7 is fostered particularly
through the core course on modern literary theory and
the optional taught courses;
2. contemporary ways of thinking about
literature etc., its forms, functions and
transmission;
acquisition of 3 and 5 particularly through research skills
courses and the dissertation;
3. the concepts, techniques and
resources required for research in a
French studies context;
acquisition of 3, 4,and 5 and 6 through essay writing for
the core course and options, through a culture of critical
reflection on discourses about literature, and through the
dissertation.
4. scholarly discourse and exposition in
the context of French studies and of
literary/ theoretical studies more
widely;
5. practical aspects of literary etc. study
and research;
6. French and Francophone Studies as
an academic discipline;
7. Sophisticated written forms of
academic and literary French.
Assessment:
Students’ knowledge and understanding are assessed
by a variety of methods: essays, take-home (written)
examination, dissertation, and an oral exam.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Students will be able to
Acquisition of 1, 2 and 3 is fostered through the courses
as listed above and through the dissertation;
1. analyse and assess at an advanced
level a broad range of linguistic,
social, cultural, historical and literary
issues;
acquisition of 4 through intensive class discussions and
both summative and formative feedback.
2. apply the relevant analytical concepts,
tools and methods to particular
intellectual and practical problems;
3. conceptualize literary and theoretical
issues in their appropriate context
and at a high level of abstraction;
4. think critically and independently,
assessing evidence and views
(including one’s own) sceptically and
appreciating the strengths and
weaknesses of different ideas and
lines of argument;
Assessment:
Students’ intellectual skills are assessed by a variety of
methods: essays, take-home (written) examination,
dissertation, and an oral exam.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. plan and produce a variety of shorter
and longer essays involving in-depth
critical analysis and sustained
exposition and argumentation;
Acquisition of 1, 2 and 3 through coursework as part of
the courses listed above, through research skills courses
and through the dissertation;
2. gather, store and process information
for research purposes, making use of
printed sources and IT tools as
appropriate;
3. communicate effectively, above all in
writing (but also orally), about a range
of intellectual and practical issues;
4. engage with others in intellectual
debate, both orally and in writing;
5. maintain a steady rhythm of learning
and critical reflection on learning;
6. identify, choose and pursue a
research project;
acquisition of 2 especially through research skills
courses;
acquisition of 3 and 4 through discussion and debate
during classes, through coursework and the dissertation;
data processing, including the use of IT-supported
communication tools;
acquisition of 5 through a culture of conscious, reflective
learning maintained through a system of regular tutorials
and critical feedback on coursework;
acquisition of 6 especially through the dissertation
acquisition of 7 through coursework as part of the
courses listed above
7. read and understand sophisticated
written forms of academic and literary
French.
Assessment:
Students’ practical skills are assessed by a variety of
methods including: essays, take-home (written)
examination, dissertation, and an oral exam. (7 is not
assessed independently but is assessed indirectly
through the various modes of assessment).
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. engage actively in intellectual and
practical problem-solving;
1 to 7 are acquired through all courses, all requiring
regular written work and oral contributions of various
kinds; critical feedback is given orally and in writing and
in personal tutorials;
2. communicate effectively both orally
and in writing;
3. participate constructively in
intellectual debate;
6 is acquired particularly through personal tutorials,
critical feedback on coursework and the dissertation.
4. explore and assess a broad variety of
ideas and approaches to intellectual
and practical issues;
5. make good use of oral as well as
printed and IT resources as and when
appropriate;
6. effectively manage one’s own time
and work independently;
7. critically assess one’s own
performance and take appropriate
action
Assessment:
Essays, examinations and the dissertation all test 1 to 5.
Effective communication of and engagement with ideas
(2 to 4) are key criteria in assessing all aspects of
students’ work throughout the programme.
6 and 7 are 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 French / Professor Andrew Leak
Date of Production:
9 December 2008
Date of Review:
June 2014
Date approved by Head of
Department:
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee