PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
(where stopping off points exist they should be detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme specification is applicable:
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
Teaching institution:
Faculty:
Parent Department:
(the department responsible for the administration of the programme)
Departmental web page address:
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the programme:
MA Russian and East European Literature and Culture
MA n/a
From 2012 entry
University College London
University College London
SHS
School of Slavonic and East European Studies http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ssees
The programme can be taken either full-time or part-time http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectivestudents/graduate/taught/degrees/russian-east-european-literatureculture-ma
One calendar year full-time, two years part-time Length of the programme:
(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)
Masters Level (Level 7)
N/a

Brief outline of the structure of the programme and its assessment methods:
(see guidance notes)
The MA in Russian and East European Literature and Culture is one of the most wide-ranging programs of its kind offered anywhere in the world. SSEES offers a rich variety of courses on the region, ranging from the pre-modern period to the latest 21st-century developments, from Russia and Poland to the Czech Republic and Croatia, and from film and philosophy to literature and cultural studies.
Candidates must take 180 credits in total. 120 credits of which are taken from taught courses. The taught courses comprise of a 30 credit compulsory theory course and 90 credits from the list of elective core courses. In addition all students must undertake a freestanding dissertation worth 60 credits and a Dissertation Preparation module (0 credits) http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectivestudents/graduate/taught/degrees/russian-east-european-literatureculture-ma
Name of Board of Examiners:
SSEES MA Umbrella Board
N/A
Date of next scheduled accreditation visit:
Board of Examiners:
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME: a)To provide students with a knowledge and understanding of aspects of Russian and/or East European literature and culture at an intellectually demanding level; b) to introduce students to, and/or enhance students’ mastery of, skills essential for research in the discipline(s), and to enable students to carry on to doctoral research; c) to give students opportunity for training in and application of these skills; d) to develop allied skills of self-expression and communication; e) to enable students to follow careers that draw on the skills and expertise gained through the MA.
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: a) How to engage critically with materials in the domain of Russian and/or East
European literature and culture. To solve problems of conflicting sources or interpretations, locate primary and secondary materials, use research aids and resources (such as library, archive, on-line catalogues and inventories) effectively. b) The broad context of theoretical writings on and approaches to the study
Teaching/learning methods and strategies: a), b), and c): Through seminars and classes. Students are required to attend all classes, study extensively on their own, prepare presentations for class discussion and complete assessed and non-assessed course-work as directed. d): Through specialist language classes. e) The dissertation is an independent piece of research undertaken with guidance from a supervisor in outlining the topic and planning the work.
of literature and culture; also necessary technical skills (bibliographical notation, transliteration). c) Aspects of Russian and/or East
European literature and culture, including art, film, philosophy, and linguistics d) Optionally a foreign language from the area. e). In-depth knowledge and understanding of the topic chosen for the dissertation.
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
The programme aims to help students: a) to be rigorous and critical in their assessment of historical, political and cultural phenomena b) to question interpretations, to take an independent approach to historical, political land cultural problems, and to be aware of their own values and assumptions
Assessment:
Students are assessed by a variety of methods: including
‘unseen’ examinations, long essays, course work and a dissertation.
B: Skills and other attributes
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Acquisition of a) and b) is fostered in all courses offered in the programme: all courses introduce information that requires critical evaluation and present students with conflicting assessments arising from the same material.
Students are encouraged to offer constructive critiques and discussion of each other’s findings.
.
Assessment:
Assessment is carried out through ‘unseen’ examinations, long essays, course work and a dissertation.

Practical skills (able to):
This programme aims to help students with the following practical skills: a) effective communication in writing and improvement of their mastery of written
English; b) as an option, acquisition or development of a language of the area; c) use of data bases, digital resources, word-processing programmes and audiovisual materials; d) presentation of non-assessed seminar papers; e) comprehension and discussion of ideas introduced in seminars; f) practice of research techniques in varying contexts; g) development of time-management and work-organization skills; h) independent choice of long essay and dissertation topics; i) flexibility in structuring written work in the light of new information discovered while preparing it.
C: Skills and other attributes
Teaching/learning methods and strategies: a) through the writing of long essays and dissertations b) through intensive language teaching by specialist staff c) through instruction and consultation with tutors and library staff d) through regular seminar presentations e) through seminar discussion f) through work in libraries and collections g) through the setting of clear deadlines for the completion of tasks and the submission of written work h) & i) through advice to and discussion with students
These skills are fostered in the work of all the constituent courses.
Assessment a)-(c), (f)(i) by ‘unseen’ examination, long essays, course work, oral examination and dissertation. (d) & (e) are not formally assessed in the programme.

Transferable skills (able to):
The programme will encourage students to: a) write good essays and dissertations; b) optionally, learn a new foreign language or improve existing skills; c) use computer resources and information technology d) present material orally; e) listen and contribute in discussion; f) be open to ideas, attitudes & values different from their own, and use these to reflect on their own values and assumptions; g) study and process a wide variety of written and digital materials; h) make original contributions to
D: Skills and other attributes
Teaching/learning methods and strategies: a) long essays, course work, dissertation b) classes with specialist teachers c) submitting word-processed written work; using data bases, web sites, on-line resources d) -j) preparation for and participation in seminars and classes and work on the dissertation scholarship by following through their ideas; i) assess evidence for themselves and challenge previous interpretations; j) learn to engage positively with other individuals in group situations, to be aware of group dynamics and the skills
(tact, flexibility, supportiveness) required for collaborative and collective work.
Assessment: a)-(d), (f)(i) by ‘unseen’ examination, long essays, course work, oral examination and dissertation. (e) and
(j) are not formally assessed on this programme.
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):
Date of Production:
Dr Tim Beasley-Murray
September 1999/September
Date of Review:
Date approved by Head of
Department:
2 September 2015
Jan Kubik, 23 September 2015 ber 1999/September 2001

Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
Anne White, 14 September 2015
October 2015