Programme Specification
for BA English Literature
1. Programme title
2. Awarding institution
3. Teaching institution
4. Programme accredited by
5. Final qualification
6. Academic year
7. Language of study
8. Mode of study
BA English Literature
Middlesex University
Middlesex University
Middlesex University
BA English Literature
2012/3
English
Full Time and Part Time
9. Criteria for admission to the programme
Usually 220 - 260 UCAS points, including Grade C at ‘A’ level English
Literature or English Language and Literature. Applications from mature
students with non-standard qualifications are welcomed. IELTS 6 overall:
applicants should have at least 5.5 in each element and are strongly
recommended to take the International Foundation Programme (IFP) if they
have not.
10. Aims of the programme
The programme aims to:
The programme aims to develop the student’s knowledge and
understanding of English literature. More specifically it aims to:
 Develop students’ knowledge of the range of periods of English
literature, its genres, and the critical traditions in which it has been read
and interpreted
 Develop a broad knowledge and understanding of the cultural contexts,
and theoretical dimensions of the subject, and support the deployment
of ideas in the reading of texts
 Develop students’ intellectual skills, especially those of analysis,
synthesis and evaluation, and the forming of cogent arguments
Develop graduate skills including self-motivation, self-reliance, cooperation,
time management, information retrieval and management, effective
communication, use of IT in general and in relation to the subject in
particular.
11. Programme outcomes
A. Knowledge and
understanding
On completion of this programme
the successful student will have
knowledge and understanding of :
1. Literature from different periods
2. The role of literary criticism in
shaping literary interpretation and
value
3. The distinctive nature of texts
written in the principal literary
genres
4. Linguistic, literary, cultural and
socio-historical contexts in which
Teaching/learning methods
Students gain knowledge and
understanding through lectures,
seminars, tutorials and independent
study. Learning though lectures and
seminars requires students to prepare
for classes by doing preparatory
reading indicated by tutors.
Seminars are tutor-led but with an
emphasis on student discussion in
small groups or the whole group.
Assessment Method
Students’ knowledge and
literature is written and read
5. The variety of critical and
theoretical approaches to literary
study
6 How literature produces and
reflects cultural change and
difference
understanding is assessed by
coursework essays, unseen and seen
examinations, project-work
B. Cognitive (thinking) skills
On completion of this programme
the successful student will be able
to:
Teaching/learning methods
Students learn cognitive skills through
lectures, seminars, tutorials and
independent study, in particular
 Reading
 Discussion of the key issues
raised in every component of the
course
 Practice in applying concepts and
analysis, both orally and in writing
 The analysis and interpretation of
texts
 Preparing written assignments.
1. Deploy skills in the close reading
and analysis of texts, and in
reviewing their concepts
2. Articulate knowledge and
understanding of texts, concepts
and theories relating to English
studies at an abstract level
3. Articulate how different social
and cultural contexts affect the
nature of language and meaning
4. Think and judge independently
and critically
5. Understand, interrogate and
apply a variety of theoretical
positions and weigh the importance
of alternative perspectives
C. Practical skills
On completion of the programme
the successful student will be able
to:
. Use bibliographic skills, including
accurate citation of sources and
consistent use of conventions in
the presentation of scholarly work
2. Demonstrate advanced literacy
and communicative skills, including
the ability to present sustained and
persuasive written and oral
arguments
3. Show competence in the
planning and execution of essays
and project-work
4. Demonstrate research skills,
including information retrieval,
organisation and critical evaluation.
Assessment Method
Students’ cognitive skills are
assessed by
 Written work which will be
evaluated with regard to the
coherence of the topic treated; the
appropriateness of the approach
adopted; evidence of critical and
independent discussion.
Seminar discussions and tutorials,
where attention will be given to
analytical skills, and which will provide
feedback on progress.
Teaching/learning methods
Students learn practical skills through
 Transferable skills being
embedded in level 1 modules and
beyond
 Writing essays and projects
 Participating in seminars and
tutorials
 Seminar and tutorial guidance on
the research and planning of
coursework
 Preparing written assignments.
Assessment Method
Students’ practical skills are assessed
by
 The written component of essays
and project-work
Unseen and seen examinations
D. Graduate Skills
On completion of this programme
the successful student will be able
to:
1. Reflect on personal and career
development
2. Engage in effective learning
3. Communicate effectively
4. Work in teams
5. Display information technology
skills
Teaching/learning methods
Students acquire graduate skills
through
 Transferable skills being
embedded in level 1 modules and
beyond
 The teaching and learning of
individual modules
Seminars, tutorials, independent study
Assessment method
Students’ graduate skills are
assessed by
Coursework essays, unseen and seen
examinations and project-work
12. Programme structure (levels, modules, credits and progression
requirements)
12. 1 Overall structure of the programme
At level 1 of their studies students take ELS1301, Critical Reading, which
includes understanding literary concepts and close reading, and the critical
reading of texts in relation to criticism and contexts. ELS1302 develops the
skills of close reading in relation to historical and contemporary literature in
different genres. ELS1305 The Romantic Moment engages students in
developing close textual analysis, comparative and contrastive analysis,
identifying and representing argument structures and other rhetorical
practices. CMW1001, Introduction to Writing: Fiction and Poetry,
complements critical work with creative writing in two genres, and develops
self-reflection on the process. Key skills are embedded in all level 1
modules. Level 1 ELS and CMW modules overall provide a range of
literature from different historical periods.
Students pass to level 2 study which is structured as a series of 4 modules.
Three of the four level 2 modules cover different genres of literature from
particular historical periods, and consider questions of context, criticism and
interpretation, and periods covered are the Renaissance, the long
nineteenth century, and the twentieth century to the present day. ELS2304,
Literature in a Media Age: Cultural Value / Cultural Change, explores the
relations between books and other media, in particular, film, television and
various types of journalism. Level 2 modules build on the knowledge and
skills learned at level 1.
Level 3 modules represent a further stage of progression of study from level
2 modules as each is more specialised in range and subject matter and
offers more explicit consideration of theory as well as context and criticism.
Students will complete their programme by taking 3 taught modules and the
proposition module. Taught modules are ELS3301, Shakespeare and
Renaissance Drama, ELS3302, Literature and Otherness: Empires and
Animals 1880 to the Present’, ELS3303, Gender, Violence, and the
Postmodern. In the Proposition modules students engage in guided
research, after having training, and being tested, in research methods.
12.2 Levels and modules
Starting in academic year 2010/11 the University is changing the way it
references modules to state the level of study in which these are
delivered. This is to comply with the national Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications. This implementation will be a gradual
process whilst records are updated. Therefore the old coding is
bracketed below.
Level 4 (1)
COMPULSORY
OPTIONAL
PROGRESSION
REQUIREMENTS
Students must take all
of the following:
120 credits at level 1
ELS1301 Critical
Reading
ELS1302 Reading
Contemporary
Literature
ELS1305 The Romantic
Moment
CMW1001 Introduction
to Writing A: Fiction and
Poetry
Level 5 (2)
COMPULSORY
Students must take all
of the following:
ELS2301 Renaissance
Literature
ELS2302 Literature in
the Long Nineteenth
Century
ELS2303 TwentiethCentury Literature
ELS2304 Literature in a
Media Age
Level 6 (3)
COMPULSORY
OPTIONAL
Students must also
choose at least XX from
the following:
OPTIONAL
PROGRESSION
REQUIREMENTS
120 credits at level 2
PROGRESSION
REQUIREMENTS
Students must take all
of the following:
120 credits at level 3
ELS3301 Shakespeare
and Renaissance
Drama
ELS3302 Literature and
Otherness: Empires
and Animals 1880 to
the Present
ELS3303 Gender,
Violence, and the
Postmodern
ELS3304 Proposition
Module
12.3 Non-compensatable modules (note statement in 12.2 regarding
FHEQ levels)
Module level
Module code
ELS3304 Proposition Module
13. A curriculum map relating learning outcomes to modules
See Curriculum Map attached
14. Information about assessment regulations
n/a
15. Placement opportunities, requirements and support (if applicable)
Standard Middlesex University regulations apply
16. Future careers (if applicable)
English is recognised as a premier degree providing an excellent basis for
careers in media, journalism, administration and management, public
services. Its knowledge content can be used directly in careers in primary,
secondary and tertiary education, publishing and media, as well as in
postgraduate study and research.
17. Particular support for learning (if applicable)
A Royal Literary Fund Fellow is attached to the School of Arts and
Education whose main mission is to support expository writing: essays,
dissertations, etc. Students have one-to-one meetings with the Fellow.
18. JACS code (or other relevant coding
system)
19. Relevant QAA subject benchmark
group(s)
Q300 T BA/English
English
21. Other information
Indicators of Quality
2008 RAE result for English Language and Literature Unit of Assessment
was 80% of research at the internationally significant level or above
Members of ELS have in the last 10 years won research finding from
Leverhulme Trust, and Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB).
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.