(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Modern Languages with Latin American Studies (5 Years Including Foundation Year)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Essex Pathways
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Languages, Cultures and Societies
Area Studies
BA R8T9
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
UK and EU applicants:
All applications for degree courses with a foundation year (Year Zero) will be considered individually, whether you
- think you might not have the grades to enter the first year of a degree course;
- have non-traditional qualifications or experience (e.g. you haven’t studied A-levels or a BTEC);
- are returning to university after some time away from education; or
- are looking for more support during the transition into university study.
Standard offer:
Our standard offer is 72 UCAS tariff points from at least two full A-levels, or equivalent.
Examples of the above tariff may include:
- A-levels: DDD
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma: MMP
- T-levels: Pass with E in core
To study Portuguese as your major language, you need an A-level pass (or equivalent) in Italian, French, Spanish or Portuguese or fluency in Italian, French, Romanian or Spanish.
If you are unsure whether you meet the entry criteria, please get in touch for advice.
Mature applicants and non-traditional academic backgrounds:
We welcome applications from mature students (over 21) and students with non-traditional academic backgrounds (might not have gone on from school to take level 3 qualifications). We will consider your educational and employment history, along with your personal statement and reference, to gain a rounded view of your suitability for the course.
International applicants:
Essex Pathways Department is unable to accept applications from international students. Foundation pathways for international students are available at the University of Essex International College and are delivered and awarded by Kaplan, in partnership with the University of Essex. Successful completion will enable you to progress to the relevant degree course at the University of Essex.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 5.5 overall. Specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK.
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
If you are an international student requiring a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
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.
Additional Notes
Our Year 0 courses are only open to UK and EU applicants. If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to your chosen 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.
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
Ms Maria Isabel Moros
Senior Lecturer in Hispanic Studies
University of Exeter
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
- Enable students to specialise either in Portuguese or Spanish (and an optional second language), developing an appropriate level of fluency and accuracy in using the languages as a medium of understanding, expression and communication with awareness of stylistic and sociolinguistic variation
- Develop a corresponding level of proficiency in translation, interpreting, and creative writing.
- By the end of this course, students will have taken one of their major languages to mastery level.
- A second language can be taken as a minor language.
- Develop students intercultural competence by introducing them to various aspects of the Spanish and the second language culture to prepare students for their study abroad experience.
The language modules will be taught through a mixture of lectures, classes and tutorials which will assess language as well as intercultural skills.
The Latin American modules will allow students to study the art, politics, sociology, and history of Latin America with the aim of fostering a critical appreciation of the region from the perspective of these disciplines.
Students will be coached in developing skills to carry out research for their final year dissertation.
The modules will also provide students with a foundation for further studies in LAS.
The Latin American modules will provide opportunities for students to acquire research and critical skills.
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. A knowledge and understanding of the fundamental historical processes that have shaped Latin America.
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.
A knowledge and understanding of the fundamental historical processes that have shaped Latin America.
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.
Students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the social and political issues that have influenced the development of Latin America.
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.
All three types of knowledge and understanding are reinforced by feedback from staff in class, in office hours, or by email.
A1-A3 are acquired through Latin American options lectures and classes in Years 1, 2 and 4 and through a course of study at a Latin American/European university in Year 3 where there are LAS courses.
A4 and A5 are acquired through language courses in all years and through the Year Abroad using a wide range of methods that can combine any of the following: analysis of authentic materials, group discussions in the foreign language, web and laboratory work.
Assessment methods
Methods employed to assess knowledge and understanding on Modern Languages courses 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.
The Latin American modules assessment is by unseen written examinations and/or continuous coursework consisting of essays or assignments.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Abstract and synthesise information from authentic written and spoken language materials.
Using discipline-based training to think cricially and analytically in relation to a number of different academic disciplines related to Latin America
B2: Interact in the chosen languages, expressing one's own ideas (and responding to those put forward by others) coherently and articulately. Apply a wide range of relevant primary and secondary written, oral and visual sources in their original language, where appropriate in work related to Latin America.
B3: Analyse authentic Modern Language materials from a variety of perspectives. Reason critically, identify, analyse and solve problems, using appropriate methodologies and theories in a modern European language in addition to their native language
B4: For Latin American modules: demonstrate and exercise independence of mind and thought.
Learning methods
Methods employed to develop cognitive skills on Modern Languages courses 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.
B1-B4 for Latin American modules are acquired through classwork and the submission of coursework in all years.
Students are expected to do independent research to consolidate classwork.
B1 and B3 are also acquired through feedback on course work
Assessment methods
Methods employed to assess cognitive skills on Modern Languages courses 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.
For Latin American modules skills are assessed in continuous coursework plus oral and written exams in all years.
C: Practical skills
C1: Organising and presenting (orally and in writing) ideas and materials in the specialist languages
C2: Gather and process information from different sources, e.g. doing a bibliographic search in the library, accessing material from online databases and locating and downloading appropriate foreign language materials from the Web
Learning methods
Methods employed to develop practical skills 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.
For Latin American modules C1 - C2 are acquired through classes, coursework and preparation for examinations.
C2 is acquired through classes, lectures, essays and assignments.
C3 and C4 are acquired through class training in the two years prior to the period of study abroad and the guided but relatively independent process of organising and successfully completing a period of living and studying in Latin America/Europe.
Assessment methods
Methods employed to assess practical skills 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.
For Latin American modules C1 - C2 and C4 are assessed through unseen examinations, coursework essays and assignments in all years, including the Year Abroad.
D: Key skills
D1: Communicating ideas, information and arguments in oral and written form in the specialist languages, with a level of fluency, accuracy, clarity and effectiveness (and sensitivity to register and style) which depends on the level of the modules taken
D2: IT skills which can include word processing, Powerpoint, e-mail, bibliographic searches, locating and downloading foreign language internet materials, and utilising editing and subtitling software packages to improve language competence and support professional skills.
D3: Analysing modern language materials, identifying problems and creatively discussing solutions
D4: Collaborate with others to work creatively and flexibly as part of a team
D5: Working autonomously showing organisation, self-discipline and time management
Learning methods
Methods employed to develop key skills on Modern Languages modules typically include: group discussion of topical themes and analysis of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class; workshops and laboratory work involving use of dedicated software and Web materials; and staff advice, feedback and interaction with students in office hours and via email.
For Latin American modules D1 and D6 are acquired through participatory classwork.
D2, D4, and D6 are acquired through independent learning and the presentation of continuous coursework in all years of study.
Students are encouraged to participate in group work to the benefit of the group as a whole, to listen effectively and provide critical feedback in an appropriate manner.
Assessment methods
Methods employed to assess key skills on Modern Languages modules typically include: role-play activities; class presentations, in some cases using 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; applying multimedia techniques.
For Latin American modules all key skills are assessed through coursework or assignments on a continuous basis, including the work of the Year Abroad.
D1. is also assessed through written and oral examinations.