Programme Specification
For BA English Language
1. Programme title
English Language
2. Awarding institution
Middlesex University
3. Teaching institution
Middlesex University
4. Programme accredited by
Middlesex University
5. Final qualification
BA Honours
6. Academic year
2012-2013
7. Language of study
English
8. Mode of study
Full Time and Part Time
9. Criteria for admission to the programme
General university criteria. We normally make offers on 220 tariff points, including Grade C
at 'A' level English (English Language, English Literature or English Language and
Literature) (or equivalent for international students). For International Baccalaureate
applicants, we normally make offers on 28 points. We also welcome applications from
mature students and students without traditional school qualifications. Applicants for whom
English is not a first language should have an IELTS grade of 6 with at least 5.5 in each
element.
10. Aims of the programme
The programme aims to:
1. acquaint students with key concepts and theoretical approaches in the study of English
language and communication
2. develop students’ skills in: analysing acts of linguistic communication; critically
discussing and analysing studies of language and communication; formulating and
investigating hypotheses and research projects
3. explore practical implications of work in this area with regard to the communicative
practices of students and others
11. Programme outcomes
A. Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this programme the
successful student will have knowledge and
understanding of :
1.
2.
3.
a range of approaches to the
systematic study of language and
communication
technical vocabulary, central analytical
concepts and methods of enquiry
appropriate to the study of language
and communication
the role of theories in accounting for
language and communication, and the
nature of a theoretical explanation
Teaching/learning methods
Students gain knowledge and understanding
through
Assessment Method
Students gain knowledge and understanding
through
1. lectures, in which concepts, approaches
and case studies are presented and
explored
2. individual reading, including internet
research, guided by module reading lists
3. exercises in lectures and seminars which
involve discussion of, and exercises
designed to build knowledge of, topics,
examples, theoretical approaches and
data
4.
5.
6.
7.
techniques for collecting data in the
4. tutorials, in which particular topics are
various areas of English Language
discussed in more detail
studies, including the creation and
5. preparation of coursework essays and
exploitation of bodies of data, such as
classroom presentations
computer language corpora, elicitation
6. presentations and discussions of them in
tasks, introspection, transcription,
class
laboratory experiments and
Assessment Method
questionnaires
Students’ knowledge and understanding is
technical and ethical issues involved in
assessed by
the collection and use of data from
informants
7. coursework essays in which students
techniques for the analysis and
demonstrate their understanding
presentation of data, including the use
8. coursework exercises in which students
of statistics, corpus-analytic techniques,
perform critical and analytical tasks
graphs, tables and other diagrams
9. examinations, in which students perform
critical and analytical tasks, and also
reasons for, and criteria for evaluating,
present discursive discussions
alternative analyses of a given set of
data
B. Cognitive (thinking) skills
On completion of this programme the
successful student will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
demonstrate critical thinking;
construct and manage coherent
arguments in speech and writing
analyse acts of communication
evaluate arguments and analyses, and
assess the merits of contrasting
theories and explanations,
distinguishing descriptive systems from
the data they describe
abstract and synthesise information
critically judge and evaluate evidence in
relation to language and
communication in specific modes,
genres and contexts
consider ethical issues involved in data
collection and data storage
C. Practical skills
On completion of the programme the
successful student will be able to:
1. collect, analyse, manipulate and
present data of diverse kinds using a
Teaching/learning methods
Students learn cognitive skills through
1. lectures, in which these skills are
demonstrated and discussed
2. individual reading, including internet
research, guided by module reading lists
3. exercises in lectures and seminars
designed to develop these skills
4. tutorials, in which these skills and ways
of developing them are discussed
5. preparation of coursework essays and
classroom presentations
6. presentations and discussions of them in
class
7. group projects, in class and as
coursework exercises which require
these skills
Assessment Method
Students’ cognitive skills are assessed by
8. coursework essays in which students are
required to demonstrate these skills
9. coursework exercises which focus on
particular skills
10. examinations, in which students write
essays and performs tasks which focus
on particular skills
Teaching/learning methods
Students learn practical skills through
1. lectures, in which these skills are
demonstrated and discussed
2. individual reading, including internet
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
variety of methods
write essays and research reports using
the appropriate register and style and
with proper referencing
use computational tools and software
packages where appropriate for the
analysis of data
formulate and investigate hypotheses
communicate effectively in a number of
formal and informal genres
reflect on the student’s own
communicative practice
research, guided by module reading lists
3. exercises in lectures and seminars
designed to develop these skills
4. tutorials, in which these skills and ways of
developing them are discussed
5. preparation of coursework essays and
classroom presentations
6. presentations and discussions of them in
class
7. group projects, in class and as
coursework exercises which require these
skills
Assessment Method
Students’ practical skills are assessed by
8. coursework essays in which students are
required to demonstrate these skills
9. coursework exercises which focus on
particular skills
10. examinations, in which students write
essays and performs tasks which focus
on particular skills
D. Graduate Skills
On completion of this programme the
successful student will be able to:
1. communicate effectively in speech and
writing, with an understanding of the
dynamics of communication
2. work independently, demonstrating
initiative, self-organisation and timemanagement and with others to
achieve common goals
3. manage her/his own learning effectively
and self-critically
4. reflect on her/his own personal and
career development
5. demonstrate advanced literacy and
numeracy
6. demonstrate advanced knowledge of,
and ability to use, information
technology, and acquire complex
information of diverse kinds, from a
variety of sources, including libraries,
WWW, CD-ROMs, corpora, discussion
with peers
7. recognise problems and develop
problem-solving strategies
Teaching/learning methods
Students acquire graduate skills through
1. lectures, in which these skills are
demonstrated and discussed
2. individual reading, including internet
research, guided by module reading lists
3. exercises in lectures and seminars
designed to develop these skills
4. tutorials, in which these skills and ways
of developing them are discussed
5. preparation of coursework essays and
classroom presentations
6. presentations and discussions of them in
class
Assessment method
Students’ graduate skills are assessed by
7. coursework essays in which students are
required to demonstrate these skills
8. coursework exercises which focus on
particular skills
9. examinations, in which students write
essays and performs tasks which focus
on particular skills
12. Programme structure (levels, modules, credits and progression requirements)
12. 1 Overall structure of the programme
In their first year, students develop a sense of the scope of the subject, looking at language
in general as well as at English language in particular. The modules are intended to reflect
the three areas of future study: language and psychology; language and society; and
practical techniques for speaking, writing and editing. Students develop their understanding
of the distribution and status of Englishes around the world and the historical development
of the world’s Englishes. They develop skills in constructing and evaluating systematic
studies, forming and evaluating hypotheses, collecting and analysing data. They reflect on
their own communicative practice and develop their skills in speaking and writing. They
develop a range of skills required for formal academic work and which will be developed
during their degree programme. Part of this work is carried out in small groups (between
three and five students in each group) so they also develop skills in group work.
At levels two and three, students focus in more detail on the three specific areas within
English language study. These modules focus on cognitive structures and processes, on
social issues and variation in language use, on practical questions about communication
and the construction and interpretation of meaning, and on applications of research findings
in a number of areas. Students are also encouraged to reflect on the communicative
practices of themselves and others.
With the Work Placement module students have the option to develop work they have done
on other modules in a work environment.
The Proposition Module is a final year dissertation where students explore topics not
covered in detail in other modules, or synthesise work from more than one module. This is a
30-credit module which requires a piece of work of 5,500-6,000 words.
12.2 Levels and modules
Level 4 (1)
COMPULSORY
OPTIONAL

Students must take all of
the following:
No options at level one.
Students must achieve at
least 120 credits at level
one in order to the next
level of work.

OPTIONAL
Students must also choose
at least ONE from the
following:

Students must achieve at
least 240 credits at levels
one and two in order to
progress to level three work.
CML1101 Introducing
Language (30 credits)
CML1103 Studying English
Language (30 credits)
CML1056 Studying
Language (30 credits)
ELS1301 Critical Reading
(30 credits)
Level 5 (2)
COMPULSORY
Students must take all of
the following:
CML2101 Language and
Psychology (30 credits)
CML2102 Language and
ELS2304 Literature in a
Media Age (30 credits)
Society (30 credits)
CML2103 Communication
techniques (30 credits)
TRA2401 Translation
Principles and Strategies (30
credits)
CMW2002
Exploring Writing (30 credits)
Level 6 (3)
COMPULSORY
Students must take all of
the following:
CML3993 Proposition
Module (30 credits)
OPTIONAL
Students must also choose
at least 90 credits from the
following modules and this
must include CML3993
CML3101 Creating and
Understanding Meaning (30
credits)

Students must achieve at
least 360 credits in order to
gain an honors degree

CML3102 Writing
Techniques (30 credits)
CML3104 Work Placement
Module (30 credits)
CML3106 Language and
Power at Work (30 credits)
12.3 Non-compensatable modules
Module level
Module code
THREE
CML3993
13. A curriculum map relating learning outcomes to modules
See Curriculum Map attached.
14. Information about assessment regulations
General Middlesex University regulations apply. Automatic deferral is not permitted on any
of the modules; students wishing to defer must consult an assessment administrator.
15. Placement opportunities, requirements and support (if applicable)
The module CML3104 Work Placement Module offers students the opportunity to
experience workplace practice in industries or institutions relevant to their other study in
English Language. Students taking this module are allocated a supervisor and are supported
by English Language staff and by the Placement Officer located in the campus placement
office.
16. Future careers (if applicable)
We organise careers seminars to help guide students in their choice of future career and
careers officers give presentations every year during scheduled classes. The Placement
offers students the opportunity to acquire experience which will help them gain employment.
This programme is designed to provide a sound basis for careers in a wide range of
professions such as media, international relations and education. Some graduates also
choose to continue their studies in language and linguistics by pursuing specific careers
such as speech therapy, or by taking postgraduate courses in language and linguistics. The
Middlesex MA in TESOL and Applied Linguistics is available for students interested in
postgraduate study.
17. Particular support for learning (if applicable)
Students should be aware that some of the programme activities might present problems to
students with particular disabilities (e.g. of hearing), but that staff will seek solutions where
this is possible.
We offer workshops to help with Proposition Module work.
We organise visits to appropriate sites which present opportunities for further study of
specific topics and some of these include additional input from staff based at the institution
we visit. In recent years, we have visited the British Library, the British Museum and the
Institute of Visual Culture in Cambridge.
18. JACS code (or other relevant coding
system)
UCAS code Q311
19. Relevant QAA subject benchmark
group(s)
Linguistics; English
20. Reference points
1. QAA Benchmarking Statements for Linguistics and English
2. QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
3. Student, staff, external examiner and graduate feedback
21. Other information
The programme is available for full-time and part-time study.
Please note programme specifications provide a concise summary of the main features of the programme and
the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve if s/he takes full advantage
of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information about the programme can be found in
the student programme handbook and the University Regulations.
Programme Specification
and Curriculum Map:
BA English Language and
Literature
1. Programme title
English Language and Literature
2. Awarding institution
Middlesex University
3. Teaching institution
Middlesex University
4. Programme accredited by
Middlesex University
5. Final qualification
BA Honours
6. Academic year
2012-2013
7. Language of study
English
8. Mode of study
Full Time and Part Time
9. Criteria for admission to the programme
General university criteria. We normally make offers on 220 tariff points, including Grade C
at 'A' level English (English Language, English Literature or English Language and
Literature) (or equivalent for international students). For International Baccalaureate
applicants, we normally make offers on 28 points. We also welcome applications from
mature students and students without traditional school qualifications. Applicants for whom
English is not a first language should have an IELTS grade of 6 with at least 5.5 in each
element.
10. Aims of the programme
The programme aims to:
1. acquaint students with key concepts and theoretical approaches in the study of English
language and literature, and a range of periods of English literature, its cultural contexts,
its genres, and the critical traditions in which it has been read and interpreted
2. develop students’ skills in: analysing acts of linguistic and literary communication;
critically discussing and analysing studies of language and communication;
3. explore practical implications of work in this area with regard to the communicative
practices of students and others
11. Programme outcomes
A. Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this programme the
successful student will have knowledge and
understanding of :
1. a range of approaches to the systematic
study of language and communication
2. technical vocabulary, central analytical
concepts and methods of enquiry
appropriate to the study of language
and communication
3. the role of theories in accounting for
language and communication, and the
nature of a theoretical explanation
4. the role of literary criticism in shaping
literary interpretation and value, and a
variety of critical and theoretical
approaches to literary study
5. the distinctive nature of texts written in
the principal literary genres
6. linguistic, literary, cultural and sociohistorical contexts in which literature is
written and read
B. Cognitive (thinking) skills
On completion of this programme the
successful student will be able to:
1. demonstrate critical thinking
2. construct and manage coherent
arguments in speech and writing
3. analyse acts of communication
4. deploy skills in the close reading and
analysis of texts, and in reviewing their
concepts
5. abstract and synthesise information
6. critically judge and evaluate evidence in
relation to language and communication
in specific modes, genres and contexts
7. articulate how different social and
cultural contexts affect the nature of
language and meaning
Teaching/learning methods
Students gain knowledge and understanding
through
1. lectures, in which concepts, approaches
and case studies are presented and
explored
2. individual reading, including internet
research, guided by module reading lists
3. exercises in lectures and seminars which
involve discussion of, and exercises
designed to build knowledge of, topics,
examples, theoretical approaches and
data
4. tutorials, in which particular topics are
discussed in more detail
5. preparation of coursework essays and
classroom presentations
6. presentations and discussions of them in
class
Assessment Method
Students’ knowledge and understanding is
assessed by:
7. coursework essays in which students
demonstrate their understanding
8. coursework exercises in which students
perform critical and analytical tasks
9. examinations, in which students perform
critical and analytical tasks, and also
present discursive discussions
Teaching/learning methods
Students learn cognitive skills through
1. lectures, in which these skills are
demonstrated and discussed
2. individual reading, including internet
research, guided by module reading lists
3. exercises in lectures and seminars
designed to develop these skills
4. tutorials, in which these skills and ways of
developing them are discussed
5. preparation of coursework essays and
classroom presentations
6. presentations and discussions of them in
class
7. group projects, in class and as
coursework exercises which require
these skills
Assessment Method
Students’ cognitive skills are assessed by
8. coursework essays in which students are
required to demonstrate these skills
9. coursework exercises which focus on
particular skills
10. examinations, in which students write
essays and performs tasks which focus
on particular skills
C. Practical skills
On completion of the programme the
successful student will be able to:
1. collect, analyse, manipulate and present
data of diverse kinds
2. use a variety of methods, and assess
the advantages and disadvantages of
each method
3. write essays and research reports using
the appropriate register and style and
with proper referencing
4. use computational tools and software
packages where appropriate for the
analysis of data
5. communicate effectively in a number of
formal and informal genres
6. reflect on the student’s own
communicative practice
Teaching/learning methods
Students learn practical skills through
1. lectures, in which these skills are
demonstrated and discussed
2. individual reading, including internet
research, guided by module reading lists
3. exercises in lectures and seminars
designed to develop these skills
4. tutorials, in which these skills and ways of
developing them are discussed
5. preparation of coursework essays and
classroom presentations
6. presentations and discussions of them in
class
7. group projects, in class and as
coursework exercises which require these
skills
D. Graduate Skills
On completion of this programme the
successful student will be able to:
1. communicate effectively in speech and
writing, with an understanding of the
dynamics of communication
2. work independently, demonstrating
initiative, self-organisation and timemanagement and with others to achieve
common goals
3. manage her/his own learning effectively
and self-critically
4. reflect on her/his own personal and
career development
5. demonstrate advanced literacy and
numeracy
6. demonstrate advanced knowledge of,
and ability to use, information
technology, and acquire complex
Teaching/learning methods
Students acquire graduate skills through
1. lectures, in which these skills are
demonstrated and discussed
2. individual reading, including internet
research, guided by module reading lists
3. exercises in lectures and seminars
designed to develop these skills
4. tutorials, in which these skills and ways of
developing them are discussed
5. preparation of coursework essays and
classroom presentations
6. presentations and discussions of them in
class
Assessment Method
Students’ practical skills are assessed by
8. coursework essays in which students are
required to demonstrate these skills
9. coursework exercises which focus on
particular skills
10. examinations, in which students write
essays and performs tasks which focus
on particular skills
Assessment method
Students’ graduate skills are assessed by
7. coursework essays in which students are
required to demonstrate these skills
8. coursework exercises which focus on
information of diverse kinds, from a
variety of sources, including libraries,
WWW, CD-ROMs, corpora, discussion
with peers
7. recognise problems and develop
problem-solving strategies
particular skills
examinations, in which students write essays
and performs tasks which focus on particular
skills
12. Programme structure (levels, modules, credits and progression requirements)
12. 1 Overall structure of the programme
In their first year, students develop a sense of the scope of the subject, looking at language
in general, English language in particular, literary concepts and genre. They develop their
understanding of the distribution and status of Englishes around the world and the historical
development of the world’s Englishes. They develop skills in close reading, critical reading
explicitly in relation to criticism, close textual analysis, comparative and contrastive analysis,
classificatory skills, identifying and representing argument structures and other rhetorical
practices. They reflect on their own communicative practice and develop their skills in
speaking and writing. They develop a range of skills required for formal academic work and
which will be developed during their degree programme.
In work for levels two and three, students focus in more detail on specific areas within
English language and literary study. These modules focus on cognitive structures and
processes, on social issues and variation in language use, on practical questions about
communication and the construction and interpretation of meaning, on different genres of
literature from particular historical periods, and questions of context, criticism and
interpretation. Students are also encouraged to reflect on the communicative practices of
themselves and others.
The Proposition Module is a final year dissertation where students explore topics not
covered in detail in other modules, or synthesise
work from more than one module.
12.2 Levels and modules
Level 4 (1)
COMPULSORY
Students must take all of
the following:
CML1101 Introducing
Language (30 credits)
CML1103 Studying English
Language (30 credits)
ELS1301 Critical Reading
(30 credits)
ELS1301 The Romantic
Moment (30 credits)
Level 5 (2)
OPTIONAL
No options at level one.
COMPULSORY
Students must take all of
the following:
CML2101 Language and
Psychology (30 credits)
And
OPTIONAL
Students must also choose
ONE of:
CML2102 Language and
Society (30 credits), or
CML2103 Communication

Students must achieve at
least 120 credits at level one
in order to progress to level
two and three work.


Students must achieve at
least 240 credits at levels
one and two in order to
progress to level three work.
ELS2301 Renaissance
Literature (30 credits)
Techniques (30 credits)
And ONE of:
ELS2302 Literature in the
long nineteenth century (30
credits), or
ELS2303 Literature from
Modernity to the Present (30
credits), or
ELS2304 Literature in a
Media Age (30 credits
Level 6 (3)
COMPULSORY
Students must take all of
the following:
ONE proposition module,
EITHER:
CML3993 Proposition
Module (30 credits)
OR:
ELS3304 Proposition
Module (30 credits)
OPTIONAL
Students must choose
THREE of the following
modules and ensure that
there are 60 credits of level 3
work in each of the two
subject areas (60 credits
prefixed CML and 60 credits
prefixed ELS):
CML3101 Creating and
Understanding Meaning (30
credits)
CML3102 Writing Techniques
(30 credits)
CML3106 Language and
Power at Work;
ELS3301 Shakespeare and
Renaissance Drama (30
credits)
ELS3302 Literature and
Otherness: Empires and
Animals 1880 to the Present
(30 credits)
ELS3303 Gender, Violence,
and the Postmodern (30
credits)

Students must achieve at
least 360 credits in order to
gain the award.

12.3 Non-compensatable modules
Module level
Module code
3
CML3993/ELS3304
13. A curriculum map relating learning outcomes to modules
See Curriculum Map attached.
14. Information about assessment regulations
General Middlesex University regulations apply. Automatic deferral is not permitted on any
of the modules; students wishing to defer must consult an assessment administrator.
15. Placement opportunities, requirements and support (if applicable)
16. Future careers (if applicable)
We organise careers seminars to help guide students in their choice of future career and
careers officers give presentations every year during scheduled classes. This programme is
designed to provide a sound basis for careers in a wide range of professions such as media,
international relations and education. Some graduates also choose to continue their studies
in language and literature by pursuing specific careers such as speech therapy, or by taking
postgraduate courses in language and literature.
17. Particular support for learning (if applicable)
Students should be aware that some of the programme activities might present problems to
students with particular disabilities (e.g. of hearing), but that staff are willing to seek solutions
where this is possible. As well as supporting learning through scheduled classes, staff are
available for tutorials at regular times, and also on request. We offer workshops to help with
Proposition Module work. We communicate to students using email lists and Oasis
(Middlesex’s local version of the WebCT virtual learning environment software). We organise
visits to appropriate sites which present opportunities for further study of specific topics and
some of these include additional input from staff based at the institution we visit. In recent
years, we have visited the British Library, the British Museum and the Globe Theatre.
18. JACS code (or other relevant coding
system)
UCAS code Q391
19. Relevant QAA subject benchmark
group(s)
Linguistics; English
20. Reference points
1. QAA Benchmarking Statements for Linguistics and English
2. QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
3. Student, staff, external examiner and graduate feedback
21. Other information
The programme is available for full-time and part-time study.
Please note programme specifications provide a concise summary of the main features of the programme and
the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve if s/he takes full advantage
of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information about the programme can be found in
the student programme handbook and the University Regulations.