Languages & Literature of Scotland

Programme Structure & Content

Courses are available from first to fourth year. Languages and Literature of Scotland is a Joint Honours degree.

First Year
Students aiming for Honours in Languages and Literature of Scotland join one of three Scottish Gaelic language streams: beginners, learners (Higher at ‘B' or above), or native speakers (Higher at ‘Pass' or above). In addition, students are given an introduction to Gaelic culture and literature at the appropriate level. Students must also take first year English courses.

Second Year
In Celtic, students continue to follow the Scottish Gaelic language courses and in English take 60 credits from any combination of:

• Reading Shakespeare
• Revolution to Revolution: Literature 1640-1789
• Sounds of English
• Language and Linguistics: Applications
• History of Language in the British Isles

Third & Fourth Year (Honours)
In their Honours years, students divide their time equally between Celtic and English. The Honours Dissertation can be submitted in either subject.

Teaching & Assessment

In Gaelic language courses, class work in the form of practical use of the written language always forms a considerable part of the assessment. In most other courses in Celtic, essays (or in some literature classes, textual exercises) also contribute to your overall mark. In tutorial groups, credit is given for regular attendance and for active participation, while in language-learning classes, conversational practice is assessed. There are a small number of advanced language courses in which examination marks count for over half of the assessment.

In English, regular subject discussions and argument in tutorial help to develop self-confidence and powers of expression. All your classwork counts towards your assessment. It is marked and returned with comments, so that you know how you are getting on at every stage. The rest of your assessment comes from end-of-course examinations and from performance in tutorials and seminars.