PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
European Culture and Thought: Thought
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 & Humanities
Parent Department:
Centre for Multidisciplinary and Intercultural Inquiry
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/european-culture-and-thought
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full or part time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
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)
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/european-culture-and-thought/prospectivestudents/european-culture-and-thought-thought
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
Centre for European Studies Board of Examiner
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
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 European culture / society / thought; (b) to give them the opportunity to apply those methods and
theories in both general and more specialised fields; (c) to introduce students to new and intellectually demanding
areas; and (d) to foster students’ ability to think critically and to 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:
1.
2.
3.
4.
selected general aspects of European
culture / society / thought
two or more specialised areas within
European culture / society / thought
key methods and concepts of literary,
cultural and historical analysis.
Generic and subject-specific research
skills and methods
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Students acquire 1-2 through participation in lectures
and seminars, where they learn how to present material
effectively, to analyse texts critically, and to construct
coherent arguments. Students apply methods and
concepts (3-4) in both the optional courses and,
especially, in ‘structured research’ courses and in writing
the dissertation
.
Assessment:
Students are assessed through a combination of
assessed coursework in the form of assessed essays (14), a dissertation (3-4 especially),
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Intellectual skills are developed through the programme
outlines above. All courses involve a combination of the most
important concepts, practice in applying concepts in oral and
written form, analysis and interpretation of texts and evidence.
Through feedback sessions on presentations and essays,
students are encouraged to reflect on, and improve, their own
work.
Reason critically
Apply literary and historical concepts
Identify and solve problems
Analyse and interpret
Demonstrate and exercise independent
thought.
Assessment:
The forms of assessment listed above all place emphasis on
the learner’s ability to demonstrate skills 1-5 by answering
different types of questions (orally and in writing), by finding
solutions to problems set, and by producing coherent written
arguments and oral presentations. An extended essay is a
course requirement and allows students to develop research
skills and greater intellectual independence.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
1. find, assess, evaluate and select
information from a variety of sources
2. plan and produce a piece of research,
based on a relevant and adequate
bibliography
3. apply key methods and concepts of
literary, historical and cultural analysis
.
Transferable skills (able to):
1. structure and communicate ideas
effectively, both orally and in writing
2. manage time and work to deadlines
3. participate constructively and critically
in groups
4. work independently and innovatively,
and be self-reliant
5. find information and use information
technology
6. assess the relevance and importance
of the ideas of others
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
All learners receive, progressively over the entire course,
guidance on how to identify, locate and use material
available in libraries and elsewhere. Students are
provided with comprehensive bibliographies for each
course, and are also given help in the production of
coursework essays and extended essays. Throughout
the course, learners take part in classes on literary,
cultural and historical concepts
Assessment:
Skills 1-3 are primarily assessed through assessed
coursework (essays produced by learners at home).
The dissertation is viewed as an extension of such
essay-writing, but with a far greater emphasis on
research, planning and independence.
D: Skills and other attributes
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Skill 1 is developed by essay-writing and presentations,
both with feedback from the teacher and constructive
criticism by peers. Skill 2 is developed through the need
to meet assessed essay deadlines at the same time as
continuing weekly preparation for classes, giving
presentations and participating in discussion groups.
Skill 3 is developed through discussion, presentations
and group work in lectures, seminars and tutorials. Skills
4 and 6 are developed during the planning, structuring
and writing of the dissertation, especially. IT skills are
encouraged through essay writing (word-processing
strongly recommended) and research (use of catalogues
on the internet).
Assessment:
Effective communication of ideas is an important
criterion in assessing all areas of a learner’s work, and
regular feedback as well as the final mark reflect this.
Skills 4 and 6 are assessed by both the coursework and
the dissertation, which, although supervised, are
nevertheless the result of independent thought and
research by the learner. Skill 5 is not formally assessed,
since students cannot be assumed to have access to
personal computers. All the same, those students who
do use computers (just like those who present work in
other forms) are assessed for the presentation of their
work as part of the overall assessment. Skill 2 is
assessed by default, with penalties for late submission of
assessed work. Skill 3 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)
Dr Kevin Inston
Name(s):
Date of Production:
June 2008
Date of Review:
June 2014
Date approved by Head of
Department:
May 2013
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
May 2013
June 2008