Online delivery N/A. 7. Interim Awards Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) N/A onwards

Transcription

1 PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION MA English Language and Linguistics Postgraduate Diploma in English Language and Linguistics Postgraduate Certificate in English Language and Linguistics (from 2011 entry) 1. Awarding Institution York St John University 2. Teaching Institution York St John University 3. Delivery locations (if different to YSJU) 4. Programme(s) Accredited by (professional/statutory body) Online delivery N/A 5. Faculty offering the Programme(s) York St John Business School 6. Final Award(s) Master of Arts 7. Interim Awards Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) 8. Programme Title(s) Master of Arts English Language and Linguistics 9. UCAS Code / GTTR / Other NA 10. Approved Combinations (for Joint Honours programmes only) N/A 11. QAA Benchmark Group(s) Linguistics, English 12. Applicable to Year of Entry to the Programme(s) 2011 onwards 13. Date Produced/Revised April 2010/Aug 2011 (no change) Jul 2012 no change No students enrolled in 2011 October 2013 (no change) 14. Mode of Study The programme is offered in the following modes of study: Full time Part-time: One year Minimum 2 years, max 5 years Individual modules will also be offered on a pay per module basis. All taught modules will be delivered online. These will be supported by a pre programme/yearly day school which all students will normally be expected to attend 15. Introduction and Special Features 15-a Introduction This programme has been written with two target groups in mind. Firstly, practising teachers of English in Secondary education with an academic background in English Literature who need/wish to broaden and develop their academic expertise as part of their professional development. While it is envisaged that the majority of this group will comprise those teachers currently teaching English Language A level, the programme would also 1

2 provide appropriate academic background to support teachers of Special Needs as well as primary teachers with a professional interest in language issues. Research already exists (see Linguistics Association of Great Britain (LAGB) 2007; Goddard & Beard 2008) highlighting the need for Continuing Professional development (CPD) for this group. The second target group are those students who already possess a first degree in an English Language and/or Linguistics related subject area and who wish to develop their studies to postgraduate level. 15-b Special features of the programme. The distinctive feature of this programme is its online nature. Market research among teachers and their professional organisations suggest that for practising teachers, face to face post graduate programmes are not practicable due to workload constraints. The York St. John (YSJ) programme allows students to fit work commitments around study requirements by being able to access online teaching and learning material at their convenience. Furthermore, it offers students flexible (twice yearly) entry points as well as the opportunity to undertake individual modules from the programme in order to further professional and academic development without having to commit themselves to a longer programme. On successful completion of one of these modules, students may then, if they so wish, choose to undertake further modules in order to progress to either the Post Graduate Certificate, Post Graduate Diploma or Masters degree award. 16. Criteria for Admission An undergraduate degree (normally 2:1), or an equivalent qualification or relevant professional experience acceptable to York St John University. Applicants who have already undertaken CPD in English Language ( e.g. with a schools awarding body such as AQA) will be eligible for 30 credits via the Negotiated Study, on submission of a portfolio of applied work which reaches the agreed pass mark standard. IELTS of at least 6, with at least 6 in writing (international students) APEL Policy Where applicants do not meet the stated entry requirements above, it may be possible to take into account evidence of APEL as an alternative method of meeting the programme s entry requirements. For example, significant previous study or professional experience, such as significant previous teaching experience in English or language-related subject might be considered appropriate and relevant to meet the entry requirements. In such a case, suitable references and records of employment might be presented to support the applicant s case for admission. Applicants initially registering to undertake a single module will be automatically registered on the programme to facilitate progression to one of the award bearing programmes should it subsequently be required. Successful completion of one module will normally be considered an alternative route of entry to the programme. Application should be made in the first instance through the YSJ Business School office. Applicants will normally be interviewed. 17. Programme Aims This programme aims to: Enable students to engage in advanced study and research relevant to the field of contemporary linguistics and language study. Enable students to develop an understanding of the core linguistic concepts which 2

3 underpin the study of language and how these relate to the subject matter of their programme. Develop and extend students existing academic and professional knowledge and skills. Enable students to demonstrate an advanced understanding of techniques and processes applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship. Enable students to engage in a range of cognitive and academic skills including data collection and analysis, application of theories, critical analysis and extended independent research. Enable students to acquire a qualification which will enhance their present or future career options. 18-M YSJU Level M / NQF Level 7 / FHEQ M 18-Ma Level M Programme Outcomes (specify subject specific learning outcomes and key skills and where an interim award is attainable) Students who gain the award specified will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes: 1. Display in-depth, extended or specialist knowledge of techniques relevant to the study of English Language and Linguistics or display an advanced understanding of concepts, information and techniques informed by knowledge at the forefront of the discipline 2. Exhibit competence in the exercise of advanced generic intellectual abilities appropriate to the study of the discipline 3. Display an advanced understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or to advanced scholarship 4. Take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and develop professional relationships with others. 5. Proactively formulate ideas and hypotheses and evaluate these within the context of current studies within the subject field of English Language and Linguistics. 6. Critically evaluate current issues and research in the subject field of English Language and Linguistics. On successful completion of the MA English Language and Linguistics programme the participant will have demonstrated evidence of being able to: 1. Display in-depth, extended or specialist knowledge of techniques relevant to the study of English Language and Linguistics or display a sophisticated understanding of concepts, information and techniques informed by knowledge at the forefront of the discipline 2. Exhibit mastery in the exercise of advanced generic intellectual abilities appropriate to the study of the discipline. 3. Display an advanced and comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or to advanced scholarship. 4. Take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and/or develop professional relationships with others. 5. Proactively formulate ideas and hypotheses and develop, implement and execute plans by which to evaluate these within the context of current studies in the field of Linguistics and Language study. 3

4 18-Mb 6. Critically evaluate current issues and research in the field of English Language and Linguistics. - Level M Programme Structure and Content Modules for the Programme (Please list modules) Code Title Credits Semester Status of Module MLL001 Language Structures 30 option MLL002 Texts and Technologies MLL003 Language and Cognition MLL004 Language and Society MLL005 Negotiated Study MLL006 Dissertation 60 Compulsory One level M module from a range of specified Postgraduate programmes and modules within the university may also be taken as part of the award for either PG Diploma or MA, dependent on the student s ability to attend modules which are not delivered online and subject to the approval of the Head of Programme In order to progress to the dissertation module a student must have successfully completed 120 credits. Location: N/A This is an online programme Status of Module will be either: C: Compulsory, CP: Compulsory for progression to the next level, CA: Compulsory for award, O: option or E: elective 18-Mc Level M Teaching and Learning and Assessment Strategies The learning and teaching strategy for the programme recognises that students may have considerable ongoing professional commitments alongside the demands of their studies. For this reason, the four taught modules of the MA ELL programme will be delivered exclusively online, the materials for each of these modules forming an autonomous, self access unit. Students will therefore be able to access these materials at their convenience, allowing them to progress at their own pace within the time schedule of the module. A commitment of eight to ten hours per week s unit of module is normally required. At the same time, the programme recognises the importance of students belonging to a supportive learning community and therefore each module is supported by an online discussion forum within which students will be expected to participate. In some modules this will form part of the assessment. Each module will be supported by weekly virtual office hours up to a maximum of 90 minutes in which students will be able to access the module tutor at pre-arranged times throughout the duration of the module. In order to foster this learning community, yearly, face to face day schools will also take place at the beginning of the academic year. These day schools will normally be compulsory. The programme will incorporate the following learning teaching and assessment practices: The use of the VLE to deliver flexible and accessible teaching and learning including; module content and activities, communication, discussion 4

5 forums, links to appropriate external resources, formative assessments. The use of a variety of assessment methods to accommodate a diversity of preferences in assessment type. The provision of a range of approaches to learning within and across modules in order to accommodate a diversity of learning preferences and styles. More specifically, across the programme these learning and teaching methods will include the following: Module-specific content based activities delivered via the VLE Discussion groups via the VLE Tutor feedback via the VLE Independent study and research Collection and analysis of data Online tutorials Access to digital archive of CeLL (Centre for Languages and Linguistics) Colloquium Series of Guest Lectures Access to university-based e-learning support including e-journals, e-books, scanned chapters and web based information via the university library and the VLE Individual module handbooks outlining participant requirements, learning outcomes, assessment deadlines and submission dates, criteria for assessments and associated policy and procedure. The assessment strategy acknowledges the needs of students with professional commitments who may require flexibility in completing assessment tasks. Aspects of the assessment strategy are as follows: Submission of module assessments will be wholly online allowing flexibility within the constraints of the duration of the module. Assessments will occur during and at the end of the module A variety of assessment types will be utilised throughout the programme, including but not limited to, portfolios, discussion postings, data analysis, essays, online tasks, online tests, dissertation, formative assessment Where appropriate, students will be encouraged, via negotiation with the module tutor to link their professional practice with the academic content of the programme in order that one may inform the other. Normally the requirement for summative assessment per 30 credit module will be the equivalent of 6000 words. The dissertation will normally be 10 12,000 words 19. Progression and Graduation Requirements The University s general regulations on progression and award apply to the programme. In addition, the following specific programme regulations apply in respect of progression and graduation: In order to gain the Postgraduate Certificate in English Language & Linguistics 5

6 students must successfully pass two of the thirty credit modules MLL001, MML002, MML003, MML004, MML005 to achieve 60 credits at M level. In order to gain the Postgraduate Diploma in English Language & Linguistics students must successfully pass four of the thirty credit modules MLL001, MML002, MML003, MML004, MML005 to achieve 120 credits at M level. In order to achieve the MA in English Language and Linguistics award students must successfully pass all of the modules for the award, including the dissertation module MML006. Students are required to have passed 120 credits at M level before undertaking the dissertation. 20. Internal and External Reference Points This programme specification was formulated with reference to: University Mission Statement QAA Linguistics and English benchmark statement Professional and Statutory bodies National Qualification Framework YSJ Academic Standards 21. Further Information Further information on the programme of study may be obtained from the Document Directory or Staff Information Point: Admissions Entry Profile Programme validation document Student programme handbook (Faculty) Module handbooks (Faculty) Regulations (Registry Academic Standards) References: Goddard, A and Beard, A As Simple as ABC? HEA LLAS Subject Centre. LAGB Linguistics and School Teaching: A career guide for graduates. Downloadable at 6