Programme Specifications

Education Studies

Languages, Cultures and Societies

September 2023

September 2023

• To provide students with an opportunity to develop an understanding of the complex body of knowledge associated with Education

• To enable students to critically engage with the key issues and current research in Education.

• To enable students to critically reflect on and manage their own learning and performance;

• To provide students with an opportunity to acquire the employability skills and personal attributes and values that are necessary for employment, training, or further education.

• to develop the learner’s interest in and knowledge and understanding of the Spanish-speaking world, past and present, including its language, literature, culture and history;
• to develop a resource of intellectually-trained individuals capable of acting as bridges of understanding and conduits of knowledge between the Spanish-speaking and British cultures;
• to enhance by the addition of a Spanish element (amounting to approximately one third of the total programme) the learning experience of students following degrees predominantly in another subject;
• to develop and enhance students’ communication skills and their capacity both for independent and co-operative working;
• to release graduates into a wide range of employment contexts as lifelong learners.

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:

• A1 To understand the structure and development of the Education system within the UK and internationally and to be aware of assessment systems in place at each phase of the Education system.

• A2 To understand how learners’ physical, intellectual, linguistic, social, cultural and emotional development can affect their learning

• A3 To be aware of methods of safeguarding children and to understand a range of professional frameworks.

• A4 Understand a range of strategies to establish a purposeful learning environment and promote good learning, achievement and behaviour.

• A5 To be aware if the interdisciplinary nature of ICT and digital competency

• A6 To be aware of the SEN code of practice for Wales and to be aware of strategies to support learners

• A7 To understand the practical and ethical issues when working with and researching children

• A8 To understand and evaluate issues relating to learner well-being and health.
  

Learning and Teaching

The above learning outcomes are developed through the following:

• Lectures 

• Seminars 

• Individual tutorials 

• Group work 

• Personal research 

• Workshops 

Assessment Strategies and Methods

The learning objectives will be assessed via the following:

• Written assignments 

• Examinations 

• Placement Portfolio 

• Undergraduate Dissertation 

• Posters 

• Oral Presentations 

• Teaching/ Lesson Plans 

• Interactive artefacts 

1. Spanish language (spoken and written);
2. Spanish and Spanish-American culture in its widest sense (including selective study of literature, film and art);
3. Spanish history and contemporary Spanish society;
4. key methods and concepts of literary, filmic and cultural analysis;
5. the position of some or all of the above in a wider European and world context.

Acquisition of 1 is through small-group classes and regular assessed coursework, with emphasis on group discussions/conversations. Additional support is provided through both assisted and self-access facilities for language learning in the Language Resource Centre. The year abroad provides total immersion in the target language and culture. Acquisition of 2-5 is through a combination of lectures/seminars in year/level 1, and subsequently developed through increasingly seminar-based teaching in later years. Throughout, the learner is encouraged to undertake independent reading both to supplement and to consolidate what is being taught/learnt and to broaden individual knowledge and understanding of the subject.

Testing of the knowledge base is through a combination of unseen written examinations (1-5), assessed coursework (1-5) in the form of essays, dossiers and presentations (1-5), oral examinations and classes (1), other set assignments or tasks undertaken under examination conditions (1-5), and extended essays (1-5).

10.2.1 Intellectual skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:

• B1 Analyse and interpret a range of academic texts and government documents

• B2 Critically evaluate a range of source materials

• B3 Apply theory to practice

• B4 Understand a range of learning and teaching styles

• B5 Communicate knowledge to others in written and spoken forms

Learning and Teaching

The above learning outcomes are developed through the following:

• Lectures

• Seminars

• Group work

• Personal research

• Workshops

Assessment Strategies and Methods

The learning objectives will be assessed via the following:

• Written assignments

• Examinations

• Placement Portfolio

• Undergraduate Dissertation

• Posters

• Oral Presentations

• Teaching/ Lesson Plans

• Interactive artefacts.

10.2.2 Professional practical skills / Discipline Specific Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:

• C1 Demonstrate the ability to understand the diverse learning needs of learners and evaluate how to provide the best possible education for them to maximize their potential, whatever their individual aspirations, personal circumstances or cultural, linguistic, religious and ethnic background;

• C2 Understand the role of multi-agency approaches to supporting learners.

• C3 Be aware of, and work within, the statutory framework relating to their responsibilities

• C4 Understand and apply psychological theories of learning and teaching

Learning and Teaching

The above learning outcomes are developed through the following:

• Lectures

• Seminars

• Group work

• Personal research

• Workshops

Assessment Strategies and Methods

The learning objectives will be assessed via the following:

• Written assignments

• Examinations

• Placement Portfolio

• Undergraduate Dissertation

• Posters

• Oral Presentations

• Teaching/ Lesson Plans

• Interactive artefacts.

10.2.1 Intellectual skills

• reason critically;

• apply literary and/or filmic and/or linguistic and/or other cultural concepts;

• identify and solve problems;

• analyse and interpre

• demonstrate and exercise independence of mind and thought.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated

Intellectual skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme outlined above (and in section 10). Each course, whatever the format of the teaching, involves discussion of key issues, practice in applying concepts both orally and in writing, analysis and interpretation of material, and feedback for learners on work produced.

Assessment

The variety of assessment methods employed places great emphasis (as shown in their assessment criteria) on the learner’s ability to demonstrate skills 1-5 through the production of coherent written and oral responses either to problems or tasks set. Most learners produce at least one extended essay during their studies (specifically for the year abroad) which provides a vehicle for the demonstration of these skills.

10.2.2 Professional practical skills

• retrieve, sift and select information from a variety of sources;

• plan, undertake and report a bibliographically-based piece of research;

• speak, write and read Spanish at high or near-native level of proficiency;

• apply key methods and concepts of cultural and linguistic analysis.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated

All learners receive initial guidance on how to identify, locate and use material available in libraries and elsewhere. Bibliographies are provided for each course at the outset, as are guidelines for the production of coursework essays and extended essays. Classes and tutorials are given on literary, filmic, historical and socio-political concepts, and on translation techniques. Students are required to read texts in Spanish for all courses (except SP10910). The year abroad promotes the active learning of language to a high level as well as the development of intercultural awareness.

Assessment

Skills 1-5 are primarily assessed through coursework (independently produced essays and translation assignments), which forms an integral part of the assessment for all courses in Spanish culture. Additionally, skill 4 is assessed in unseen written examinations in these areas. Language is assessed throughout in oral classes (in which a topic presentationand active participation contribute to the assessment), by coursework and by unseen written examination.

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:

• D1 Demonstrate independent working and thinking

• D2 Research, assimilate, select and organise relevant academic material

• D3 Evaluate key theories

• D4 Work as part of a group

• D5 Communicate to a range of audiences

• D6 Demonstrate effective time management

• D7 Demonstrate critical self-reflection

• D8 Argue coherently by analysing evidence and applying logical thinking

Learning and Teaching

The above learning outcomes are developed through the following:

• Lectures

• Seminars

• Group work

• Personal research

• Workshops

Assessment Strategies and Methods

The learning objectives will be assessed via the following:

• Written assignments

• Examinations

• Placement Portfolio

• Undergraduate Dissertation

• Posters

• Oral Presentations

• Teaching/ Lesson Plans

• Interactive artefacts.

• Work independently
• Work in a team
• Respect the views and beliefs of others
• Listen
• Communicate orally
• Communicate in writing
• Communicate electronically
• Word-process
• Use the Web
• Manage time and work to deadlines
• Research issues
• Solve problems
• Adapt to change
• Develop career awareness