Form C4
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor
1. Course
Code
C47BQ
2. Course
Title
5. School
Management and Languages
7. Delivery:
Location &
Semester
Edin
SBC
Orkney
Dubai
IDL
Collaborative Partner
Approved Learning Partner
Sem 2.
Sem…….
Sem………..
Sem……..
Sem….
Name…………………….....Sem..…...
Name …………………………………Sem………..
8. Pre-requisites
British Sign Language Post-Beginners Elective 2
4. Credits
15
C47BP or equivalent
9. Linked Courses
(specify if synoptic)
10. Excluded Courses
C47BP (the two semesters are synoptically linked)
11. Replacement Courses
Code:
12. Degrees for which
this is a core course
Date Of Replacement:
13. The course may be
delivered to:
3. SCQF 7
Level
6. Course
C47BQ
Co-ordinator
UG only
PG only
UG & PG
14. Available as an Elective?
Yes
No
15. Aims
To enhance knowledge of British Sign Language (BSL) in order that students can express themselves effectively in a wide variety of situations
To develop advanced knowledge of the structure and functions in BSL
To apply and extend more complex grammatical structures to communicate effectively
To develop and establish fluency and appropriate use of register in BSL production in a variety of domains and social situations
To understand and respond effectively to authentic signed discourse
To increase understanding of the Deaf Community and its culture
To extend awareness of the variety of groups within the Deaf community who use BSL
16. Syllabus
Present opinions in BSL and discuss a variety of topics spontaneously with peers and native speakers.
Develop knowledge of complex grammatical rules and patterns and apply these to a range of situations.
Produce BSL discourse for a wide variety of purposes in grammatically accurate and idiomatic BSL.
Develop receptive skills based on dialogues, narratives and speeches by native BSL users in everyday work and social contexts.
Demonstrate understanding of discourse produced for a wide variety of purposes.
Increase awareness of sociolinguistic variation in the use of BSL.
Aspects of language covered will normally include: sign order; productive and frozen lexicon; tense and aspectual markers; visually motivated signs; non-manual features;
different classifier groups; location; role-shift; interrogative, affirmative and negative forms; regional sign variation (sub-culture groups).
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Form C4
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor
17. Learning Outcomes (HWU Core Skills: Employability and Professional Career Readiness)
Subject Mastery
Understanding, Knowledge and Cognitive Skills
Scholarship, Enquiry and Research (Research-Informed Learning)

Personal Abilities
Demonstrate ability to understand and respond in
 Formulate adequate solutions to intermediate translation-related problems.
BSL to authentic spoken discourse
 Acquire and awareness of language evolution and variation in language
production.
 Engage in spontaneous conversation with peers
and native BSL users
 Demonstrate ability to identify and analyse grammatical issues in BSL
 Present information in BSL
 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of
grammatical structures of BSL.
 Show awareness of sociolinguistic variation and
cross-cultural differences and apply this knowledge
in BSL production
Industrial, Commercial & Professional Practice
Autonomy, Accountability & Working with Others
Communication, Numeracy & ICT




Demonstrate ability to gather and sort
information
Structure and make presentations
Acquire an awareness of BSL culture and
the Deaf community and its culture
Improve appropriate BSL register and
vocabulary.
18. Assessment Methods
Method
Duration of Exam
Weighting (%)



Self-management skills fostered by the need
 Communicate effectively in
to be committed to a purpose, to manage
BSL
self-study effectively and to work to deadlines
 Use ICT for language-learning
Participate in teamwork, peer conversation,
and communication purposes
group activities.
appropriately.
Take account of own and others’ roles,
responsibilities and contributions in carrying
out and evaluating certain tasks
19. Re-assessment Methods
Synoptic courses?
Method
(if applicable)
Formative Assessment: this may
include lecturer, peer and selfassessment of exercises (e.g. group
discussions, role plays, partner
discussions)
Continuous Assessment:
Lecturer assessment of various
production / comprehension exercises.
[50% of course]
Summative Assessment: Practical
examination in BSL [50% of course]
Duration of Exam
(if applicable)
50% of synoptic
course
C47BP1
Submission/ practical exam
in BSL at re-sit diet
(synoptic) as appropriate
c. 30 minutes as
appropriate
c. 30 minutes
20. Date and Version
Date of Proposal
Date of Approval by
School Committee
Date of
Implementation
Version
Number
2/2
Diet(s)