PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Italian Single Honours
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
BA (Hons)
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
R300
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
Intakes from 2000 (updated 2013)
(e.g. from 2008 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Arts & Humanities
Parent Department:
Italian
School of European Languages, Culture and Society
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
(if applicable)
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/italian/
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/selcs
Method of study:
Full time or Part time
Departmental web page address:
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduatestudy/degrees/ubaitasing05
Length of the programme:
Four years full-time. All students spend the third year abroad in Italy
on an approved course of study.
(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)
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
Advanced Level (Level 6)
Language and related studies (unit 29)
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/Su
bject-benchmark-statement-Languages-and-related-studies.aspx
See http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduatestudy/degrees/ubaitasing05
(see guidance notes)
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
Board of Examiners in SELCS
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit: N/A
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The programme aims to develop the learner's knowledge and understanding of the language, literature and history
of Italy and other fields of Italian culture, including history of art and cinema. Study of these rich and complex
subjects contributes to the development of intellectual awareness and critical sensitivity. As western culture is
heavily indebted to Italy, a knowledge of the language and culture of Italy is indispensable for the understanding of
the civilization of the western world. This knowledge is also a valuable asset from the vocational point of view, given
the pace of the political and economic integration of Europe, with the opportunities this opens for employment in
various areas.
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 Italian language, spoken and
written, in its varieties (regional,
social, etc.)
2. Italian culture (including literature),
past and present, and history of Italy
3. The position of 1 and 2 above in a
wider European and world context;
4. Key methods and concepts of literary,
historical and linguistic analysis.
Acquisition of 1 is through small-group classes, tutorials
and regular (marked but non-assessed) coursework,
with emphasis on group discussions/conversations. The
year spent abroad provides total immersion in the target
language and culture.
Acquisition of 2-4 is through a combination of lectures,
seminars and tutorials. Throughout, the learner is
encouraged to undertake independent reading both to
supplement and consolidate what is being taught/learnt
and to broaden his/her individual knowledge and
understanding of the subject.
Assessment:
Testing of the knowledge base is through a combination
of unseen written examinations, assessed essays, other
set assignments, oral and listening examinations.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. reason critically;
2. apply linguistic, literary and historical
concepts;
3. identify and solve problems;
4. analyse and interpret;
5. demonstrate and exercise
independence of mind and thought.
Intellectual skills are developed through the teaching and
learning programme outlined above. 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
individual feedback sessions for students on work
produced.
Assessment:
The various assessment methods employed all place
great emphasis (as shown in their assessment criteria)
on the learner's ability to demonstrate skills 1-5 through
the production of coherent written and oral responses
either to problems or tasks set. Students produce at
least one assessed essay during their studies; this
provides a perfect vehicle for the demonstration of these
skills, and those who do not will demonstrate them all
severally if not collectively.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. retrieve, sift and select information
from a variety of sources;
2. plan, undertake and report a
bibliographically-based piece of
research;
3. apply key methods and concepts of
literary, historical, cultural and
linguistic analysis.
4. speak, write and read Italian at a high
or near-native level of proficiency
All learners receive initial guidance on how to identify,
locate and use material available in libraries and
elsewhere. Comprehensive bibliographies are provided
for each course at the outset, as are guidelines for the
production of coursework essays and extended essays.
Classes and tutorials are given on literary, historical,
cultural and linguistic concepts. Throughout their
studies, learners take Italian language classes and the
majority of primary and secondary literature they are
required to read for all courses is in Italian language.
The Year Abroad further promotes the active learning of
the language to a high level.
Assessment:
Skills 1-3 are primarily assessed by essays of various
prescribed lengths (1500, 2,500, 6,000-8,000 words)
which form an integral part of the assessment for most
‘content’ courses in the degree programme. Skill 4 is
assessed in oral and unseen written examinations.
Language skills are also evaluated throughout the
programme in marked coursework.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. structure and communicate ideas
effectively both orally and in writing;
2. manage time and work to deadlines;
3. participate constructively in groups;
4. work independently;
5. find information and use information
technology;
6. be self-reliant;
7. assess the relevance and importance
of the ideas of others.
All courses require regular written work, usually in the
form of essays, and regular feedback on this is given to
the learner to develop not only their understanding but
also their powers of expression (Skill 1). Skill 2 is learnt
(rather than taught) through the management of time to
meet the various and sometimes conflicting deadlines
(all notified at the outset of each course) for submission
of coursework. Skills 3 and 7 are developed in classes,
seminars and tutorials, which rely on discussion and
interaction, as well as presentations given by individuals
or groups of students. Skills 4 and 6 are particularly
developed during the Year Abroad, for which learners
are prepared in advance. IT skills are developed
through individual learning, by courses offered by
Information Systems Division, which students are
strongly encouraged to attend, and through the
Helpdesk.
Assessment:
Effective communication of ideas is an important
criterion in assessing all areas of a learner's work, and
the regular feedback as well as the final mark reflect this.
Skills 4, 6 and 7 are assessed by both the coursework
and extended essays produced, which, although
supervised, are nevertheless the results of independent
thought and work/research by the learner. Skill 5 is
assessed through the assembly of necessary information
for essays, etc., and their production on PCs. Skills 2
and 3 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)
N/A
Name(s):
Date of Production:
18 October 2004
Date of Review:
March 2013
Date approved by Head of
Department:
May 2014
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
27 October 2004