(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Philosophy with Modern Languages
Withdrawn
University of Essex
University of Essex
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Languages, Cultures and Societies
Philosophy
BA V5R9
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A-levels: ABB
If Portuguese is taken as the major language, A Level pass (or equivalent) in Italian, French, Spanish or Portuguese or first language level fluency in Italian, French, Romanian or Spanish is required.
BTEC: DDD, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
IB: 32 points or three Higher Level certificates with 655
We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programme Courses (formerly certificates) at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for.
We can also consider combinations with BTECs or other qualifications in the Career-related programme – the acceptability of BTECs and other qualifications depends on the subject studied, advice on acceptability can be provided. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
To study Portuguese as your major language, you need a pass in Higher Level Italian, French, Spanish or Portuguese or fluency in Italian, French, Romanian or Spanish.
Access to HE Diploma:15 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 30 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
T-levels: Distinction, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
What if I don’t achieve the grades I hoped?
If your final grades are not as high as you had hoped, the good news is you may still be able to secure a place with us on a course which includes a foundation year. Visit our undergraduate application information page for more details.
What if I have a non-traditional academic background?
Don’t worry. To gain a deeper knowledge of your course suitability, we will look at your educational and employment history, together with your personal statement and reference.
You may be considered for entry into Year 1 of your chosen course. Alternatively, some UK and EU applicants may be considered for Essex Pathways, an additional year of study (known as a foundation year/year 0) helping students gain the necessary skills and knowledge in order to succeed on their chosen course. You can find a list of Essex Pathways courses and entry requirements here
If you are a mature student, further information is here
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall. (Different requirements apply for second year entry.)
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
If you are an international student requiring a visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels required. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications.
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College here.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
1. Provide a wide-ranging and flexible philosophy curriculum, embracing both analytical (or Anglo-American) and Continental (Modern European) philosophical thought.
2. Encourage students to identify the relevance of philosophy to other forms of enquiry (e.g. social, political, cultural, aesthetic), its interconnections with other disciplines, and its applicability to issues in public and moral life.
3. Develop students' capacities for independent thought and critical reflection.
4. Enable students to become proficient in one or more modern languages, developing an appropriate level of fluency and accuracy in using the language(s) as a medium of understanding, expression and communication (both oral and written), with awareness of stylistic and sociolinguistic variation, and (where relevant higher-level courses are taken) developing a corresponding level of proficiency in translation, interpreting, and creative writing.
5. Develop students' understanding of aspects of the culture and society of one or more countries which use the chosen modern language(s) as a medium of communication, enabling them to draw comparisons with their own culture and observe contrasts, and (through the year abroad) to experience, engage with and integrate into another culture.
6. Equip students with a wide range of transferable cognitive skills, practical skills and key skills and a foundation for further study, employment and lifelong learning.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Phonology, morphology, syntax, lexis, usage, and socio-stylistic variation in the chosen modern language(s), and (on relevant higher-level courses) techniques of translation, interpreting, and creative writing
A2: Aspects of the culture and society of one or more countries which use the chosen modern language(s) as a medium of communication, drawing comparisons with their own culture and observing contrasts.
A3: Linguistic concepts and metalanguage used to describe and analyse the chosen modern language(s), and analytic methods and techniques used to analyse texts and other authentic modern language materials from a variety of perspectives
A4: Philosophical texts from a variety of traditions (analytic and Continental) and a variety of historical and social contexts
A5: Significant figures in the history of philosophy and of some central theories, arguments and issues connected with them
A6: Techniques of philosophical reasoning and conceptions of philosophical method, embracing diverse traditions and approaches
A7: Major issues currently being debated by philosophers
Learning methods
Modern language proficiency A1 is developed through classwork, homework, use of dedicated software and Web materials, and the year abroad.
Cultural awareness A2 is developed through class and web materials, and the year abroad (during which students experience, engage with and integrate into another culture, either by a period of study at a partner institution offering the opportunity to operate in a different academic, linguistic and cultural environment, or by working as a language assistant and thereby acquiring valuable vocational experience of working abroad).
Skills of linguistic analysis A3 are developed through study of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class.
A1-A3 are reinforced by feedback from staff in class, in office hours, or by email.
Outcomes A4-A7 are acquired on Philosophy courses through: teaching in lecture and class format; lecturers conveying course content in a general manner while allowing for, and encouraging, questions from students; classes generally focusing on specific textual, argumentative or practical examples, where emphasis is placed on student discussion; the use of books and journal articles to convey course content; the use of books, journal articles and internet resources to write essays and prepare for examinations.
Assessment methods
A1-A3 are assessed on Modern Languages courses by a range of methods which typically include: role-play activities; class presentations; oral exams; written coursework, e.g.
Essays, book reports, translations, project work; unseen written exams; class tests; web-based assignments involving a web search or producing web materials.
Outcomes A4-A7 are assessed on Philosophy courses through continuous coursework and unseen written examinations.
Coursework consists of essays written during the academic year for a specified course, returned with a grade and written feedback for the student.
Examinations consist of essay-based questions, for which revision classes are provided.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Abstract and synthesise information from authentic written and spoken language materials
B2: Interact in the chosen languages, expressing one's own ideas (and responding to those put forward by others) coherently and articulately
B3: Analyse authentic Modern Language materials from a variety of perspectives
B4: Identify complex arguments and present one's own evaluation of them
B5: Use and criticise specialised philosophical terminology
B6: Reason abstractly and discursively and assess the merits of various arguments
B7: Summarise complex and demanding texts, often written at great historical distance, and assess the strengths and weaknesses of the views they propose
B8: Identify underlying issues in philosophical texts, debates and arguments, and to highlight deficiencies such as unquestioned assumptions, superficial analogies and unsubstantiated claims
Learning methods
B1-B3 are acquired on Modern Languages courses by a range of methods which typically include: group discussion of topical themes and analysis of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class; laboratory work involving use of dedicated software and Web materials; and staff advice, feedback and interaction with students in office hours and via email.
B4-B8 are acquired and developed in Philosophy courses through the teaching and learning methods described above.
Students are expected to read background material for lectures and classes, and to participate fully in class discussions.
Assessment methods
B1-B3 are assessed on Modern Languages courses by a range of methods which typically include: role-play activities; class presentations; oral exams; written coursework, e.g.
Essays, book reports, translations, project work; unseen written exams; class tests; web-based assignments involving a web search or producing web materials.
B4-B8 are assessed on Philosophy courses through continuous coursework and unseen written examinations.
Coursework consists of essays written during the academic year for a specified course, returned with a grade and written feedback for the student.
Examinations consist of essay-based questions, for which revision classes are provided.
C: Practical skills
C1: Write a philosophical essay, expressing oneself clearly; organise and present (orally and in writing) ideas and materials coherently in the chosen modern language(s)
C2: Abstract and synthesise relevant information from a range of sources using books, journal articles, library and internet resources.
Learning methods
In Modern Languages C1 and C2 are acquired and developed by a range of methods which typically include: group discussion of topical themes and analysis of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class; laboratory work involving use of dedicated software and Web materials; and staff advice, feedback and interaction with students in office hours and via email.
In Philosophy, C1 and C2 are acquired by participation in class discussion, discussion with the lecturer during class and office hours, independent research for essays and exam preparation.
Assessment methods
In Modern Languages C1 and C2 are assessed through a variety of methods which typically include: role-play activities; class presentations; oral exams; written coursework, e.g.
Essays, book reports, translations, project work; unseen written exams; class tests; web-based assignments involving a web search or producing web materials.
In Philosophy, C1 and C2 are assessed through continuous coursework and unseen written examinations.
Coursework consists of essays written during the academic year for a specified course, returned with a grade and written feedback for the student.
Examinations consist of essay-based questions, for which revision classes are provided.
D: Key skills
D1: (in Philosophy) write clearly; (in Modern Languages) communicate ideas, information and arguments in oral and written form in the chosen modern language(s), with a level of fluency, accuracy, clarity and effectiveness (and sensitivity to register and style) which depends on the level of the courses taken
D2: (in Philosophy) use relevant information technology to research and present written work; (in Modern Languages) demonstrate a range of IT skills which will typically include word processing, Powerpoint, e-mail, bibliographic searches, locating and downloading modern language internet materials, and utilising software packages
D4: (in Philosophy) identify the problem to be solved; articulate critically the assumptions underlying or connected with the problem; compare and contrast differing and often contradictory solutions to the problem; and provide argument and evidence in defence of one's solution to the problem; (in Modern Languages) analyse modern language materials, identifying problems and creatively discussing solutions
D5: Collaborate with others to work creatively and flexibly as part of a team (Applicable only in Modern Languages)
D6: Read closely and carefully; organize one's reading and thinking in relation to specific topics; learn from feedback from the lecturer in the form of written comments on coursework and oral communication; and work to a deadline
Learning methods
In Modern Languages, D1-D6 are acquired and developed through a range of methods which typically include: group discussion of topical themes and analysis of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class; laboratory work involving use of dedicated software and Web materials; staff advice, feedback and interaction with students in office hours and via email; and independent study.
In Philosophy, D1-D4 and D6 are acquired and developed through the teaching and learning methods described above, and in class discussions.
Students are encouraged to use the University key skills on-line package, word processing packages, library searches and internet philosophy resources.
Assessment methods
In Modern Languages, skills are assessed through a range of methods which typically include: role-play activities; class presentations, which can involve the use of Powerpoint; oral exams; written coursework, e.g.
Essays, book reports, translations, project work; unseen written exams; class tests; web-based assignments involving a web search or producing web materials In Philosophy, skills are assessed through continuous coursework and unseen written examinations.
Coursework consists of essays written during the academic year for a specified course, returned with a grade and written feedback for the student.
Examinations consist of essay-based questions, for which revision classes are provided.