Master

In Bloomsbury

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Master

  • Location

    Bloomsbury

  • Duration

    2 Years

Students will acquire: A detailed understanding of thematic approaches and more specific case studies to examine the principal analytical debates. The ability to carry out reflective investigation of the literature. An in-depth knowledge of recent and current developments within the specialist areas of study. An in-depth knowledge of the theories and methods used to enhance understanding of the issues in the specialist areas of study. A critical and well-balanced approach to the gathering, analysis and interpretation of data.

Facilities

Location

Start date

Bloomsbury (London)
See map
Stewart House, 32 Russell Square, WC1E 7HU

Start date

On request

About this course

The normal minimum entrance requirement is a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree from a university in the United Kingdom, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applications may also be considered from candidates who do not meet the formal academic requirements, but who offer alternative qualifications or who have considerable experience in an appropriate area.

UK applicants are normally asked to attend for interview at the Institute. Overseas applicants are given an email interview.
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Course programme

MA in Cultural Memory

Mode:
part-time

Aims of the programme
The MA Cultural Memory is an interdisciplinary degree bringing together the academic expertise of staff of the Institute of Germanic & Romance Studies with that of specialists from colleges of the University of London and from other universities. The programme aims to provide a comprehensive set of specialist courses attracting students from a wide range of backgrounds. Students take three taught courses, attend research skills sessions, and write a dissertation. The flexibility of either part-time or full-time study is offered.

Alongside the development of techniques, skills and knowledge relevant to the interests and research needs of individual students, the programme aims to equip students both for independent research and analysis in primary and secondary material, and for writing and thinking at an advanced level, thus fostering students’ intellectual development and independent learning ability required for continuing professional and personal development.

Intended programme outcomes, and how they are achieved
Outcomes can be broadly defined as either knowledge-based or skill-based and are usually realised in combination. Thus the categories of outcomes below are not mutually exclusive; knowledge and understanding, skills of various kinds and other attributes are complementary attainments gained in reciprocal relationship with one another. The programme draws substantially on the active research of teaching staff in the specialist areas of study.

Knowledge and understanding
Students will acquire:

  • A detailed understanding of thematic approaches and more specific case studies to examine the principal analytical debates.
  • The ability to carry out reflective investigation of the literature.
  • An in-depth knowledge of recent and current developments within the specialist areas of study.
  • An in-depth knowledge of the theories and methods used to enhance understanding of the issues in the specialist areas of study.
  • A critical and well-balanced approach to the gathering, analysis and interpretation of data.

Methods and research training related to the dissertation component of the degree is provided throughout the year, and the Institute’s extensive programme of seminars, workshops and conferences, covering a wide range of disciplines, complements the learning strategies.

Skills and other attributes
Students will acquire the ability to:

  • Handle sources of information at an advanced level.
  • Develop powers of expression and argumentation.
  • Communicate complex ideas in writing, oral presentations and group discussion.
  • Use appropriate critical methodologies.
  • Conduct independent research at an advanced level, and evaluate and critically use material.
  • Display analysis of research carried out on primary and secondary material providing a foundation for professional work or academic research.
  • Improve language skills (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or Portuguese, where applicable).
  • Enhance writing skills including style, organisation of ideas, clarity of expression, argument and presentation.
  • Engage critically with a wide body of literature.

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies
Learning strategies
Learning strategies include interactive seminar discussions and student presentations, lectures, private reading and independent research, individual tuition and support for seminar and essay presentation, a comprehensive programme of research skills training, the preparation and submission of 2 essays per course, and a dissertation for which a dissertation supervisor is assigned. The essays are normally submitted at fixed dates at the beginning of February and May. One essay per course may, subject to approval by the MA Director, take the form of a practical assignment. The oral presentation element of the dissertation is held at the end of May or beginning of June. The dissertation (maximum length 12,000 words including footnotes, but excluding bibliography and appendices) is submitted at the beginning of September. Subject to approval from the MA Director, the dissertation may take the form of a practical research project, which must, however, include a substantial theoretical and critical component.

Assessment regulations and marking scheme
The overall degree mark is calculated on the basis of six essays (two for each course) which make up 60% of the final mark (the mark for each course is made up from the average of the two essay marks, and the mark for each course makes up 20% of the final mark), and a dissertation, which makes up 40% of the final mark (the mark for the dissertation is made up from the mark for the oral presentation (10%) and the written portion - or practical/written portion for practical projects - (90%)).

Students are allowed a marginal failure in one of the components of the degree, as long as the overall degree mark is a Pass and a Pass is achieved in the dissertation. In order to achieve a Merit grade for the degree, students must achieve a Merit grade in both the overall degree mark and the dissertation. In order to achieve a Distinction grade for the degree, students must achieve a Distinction in both the overall degree mark and the dissertation.

Support for learning
Library resources
Students of the Institute have access to the Germanic Studies library and to the libraries in other Institutes in the School of Advanced Study. They also have access to the unrivalled collection of books and journals in the major college libraries of the University, and in the central University of London Library, as well as to other important collections held at the British Library. Library orientation sessions are held at the start of the academic year and on-line resources training during the course of the Autumn term.

Computers
The Institute’s students have access to the School of Advanced Study computer facilities, with e-mail and Internet connections. A free e-mail address on the School of Advanced Study server is given to all students – students who wish to retain existing e-mail accounts may access these via the School’s computers.

Admission criteria
The normal minimum entrance requirement is a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree from a university in the United Kingdom, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applications may also be considered from candidates who do not meet the formal academic requirements, but who offer alternative qualifications or who have considerable experience in an appropriate area.

UK applicants are normally asked to attend for interview at the Institute. Overseas applicants are given an email interview.

Competence in English
Students whose first language is not English must be able to demonstrate competence in English, both written and spoken, to an appropriate level to carry out their studies. The Institute of Germanic & Romance Studies requires one of the following:

  • either a minimum overall score of 7.0, and no less than 6.0, in each category (reading, writing, listening and speaking), in the English Language Testing Service test administered by the British Council
  • or a TOEFL score of at least 610 in the paper-based test plus 5 in the test of written English, or a minimum score of 253 in the computer-based test plus an essay rating of 5
  • or a Grade C or above in the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
  • or a Grade A in the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English.

Other qualifications or proof of competence may be accepted. A degree at a UK university by an overseas student is not accepted as automatic evidence of adequate competence in English. Students from an overseas background may be required to submit a piece of uncorrected written work (e.g. an essay from their undergraduate degree) with their application.

Competence in French, German, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese
Students are not required to have knowledge of any of these languages, but since study of cultures where these languages are spoken is at the core of the MA, students who do have relevant language skills are encouraged to read and cite from as much original material as possible, especially if they intend to go on to further research involving the respective culture. Native speakers of French, German, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese may write one essay per course and their dissertation in the relevant language of study.

Cultural Memory

Price on request