Introductory description

This module enables students to spend some time developing their independent working and in particular to build research skills for the later stages of their undergraduate degree. The module comprises a series of skills sessions on undertaking undergraduate research, tutorials with the module leader, along with a set of supervisory meetings with the project supervisor. In addition to producing work in a range of formats in the course of the year, linked to an aspect of the culture of their chosen language and the study of modern languages at university level, students will be supported to produce an end product related to their specific area of interest and linked to the curriculum for their other first-year cultural module. The end product will be an appropriate piece of work such as a mini dissertation.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

In addition to regular skills sessions led by the module leader, students will work on a regular basis with project supervisors on an area of interest related to the main cultural module in their chosen language. A full syllabus will be published on the module Moodle page.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate capacity to identify suitable primary and secondary material to complete independent research
• Evidence the capacity to build on continuous feedback to improve work
• Demonstrate an awareness of the challenges of studying modern languages across the university sector
• Demonstrate suitable ICT skills when developing project materials
• Demonstrate the capacity to engage with complex themes related to the cultural module linked to their chosen language

Research element

The project necessarily involves independent research under the close supervision of the supervisor. Training on aspects of modern languages research will be delivered by colleagues from the Library, from the Modern Records Centre and from the module leader. This will be 'light-touch' research training, noting that students are just beginning their time at Warwick, but this will include a more comprehensive induction to the Library and its collections and to the MRC.
Training in public engagement will be delivered in conjunction with the Warwick Institute of Engagement where possible.

International

All SMLC modules are necessarily international, engaging as they do with material beyond the Anglophone world.

Subject specific skills

Students will develop capacity to undertake some independent research closely guided by a supervisor.
Students will develop awareness of aspects of culture of their chosen language, normally specialising in a specific area of interest.
Students will develop an awareness of the challenges facing modern languages as a discipline and consider ways of promoting the subject to potential students of languages.

Transferable skills

Students will develop:

• Independent research skills under close supervision
• Capacity to identify source material and employ this when completing their project
• Written and verbal communication skills in English and in their chosen language
• Capacity to convey complex topics in a meaningful and comprehensive way to a diverse range of audiences