Introductory description

This is a new module designed in line with the University’s internationalisation Strategies to offer students an international education experience during which they’ll develop intercultural competence and benefit from the teaching and research excellence of our Eutopia partners. Diversifying our students' international learning experience is central to the SMLC strategy and this student-driven module will add particular value to those students unable to spend a full year abroad by giving them opportunity to benefit from the Eutopia alliance. Since the pandemic and with the costs of going abroad caused by Brexit (and the cost of living crisis), we are seeing an increasing number of students unable to spend a year abroad. This will offer a unique opportunity for international exposure, experience and new employability skills relevant to today’s globalised world.
Students will be able to design their own term of study from an à la carte menu of options offered by Eutopia partners (excluding Warwick).
There are 2 alternative routes but they have comparable contact hours and workload. Students will design their own learning and so co-curate their own module.
route a) Virtual engagement: students would typically take 2 online micro courses each of 4-5 weeks . These may be from the same partner or 2 different partners. (1 longer 9-week course may also be a possibility).
route b) in-person engagement: students would spend 1 week in Brussels at VUB where they would follow an intensive Eutopia module
Both a) and b) will be assessed through attendance and a reflective paper

This module is linked to a community of the European University Alliance EUTOPIA. Through this module, you will have the opportunity to engage with EUTOPIA in ways appropriate for the module’s learning outcomes. For further information, see the department’s module webpage.

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.

Students will co -curate the module as they will, in consultation with the module leader (who has to approve the student's choices), select 2 micro modules from partner Eutopia institutions to follow during the term (route a) or will choose to spend 1 week attending the VUB intensive in Brussels (route B).

Whether taking the à la carte virtual route a or attending the intensive week n Brussels (route B), the module is assessed by both a reflexive paper and attendance/ participation.
Route a) students will take 2 virtual courses (4-5 weeks each ) from the list of micro courses offered by our Eutopia partners, with the expectation that one should be relevant to one of the languages studied on the student's degree. Micro modules from Warwick are not allowed.
Demonstrates a systematic understanding of, and the ability to synthesise ideas from, a range of disciplinary perspectives

Learning outcomes

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

• Engage critically with texts (both individually and in a group) and be able to reflect independently on the context, content, and significance of the primary material [cognitive/key skills]
• Engage critically with secondary literature in English and the student's foreign language(s) and demonstrate knowledge of the scholarly debates on the ideas and topics studied [cognitive/key skills]
• independent reflection on deeper connections between topics covered at partner institutions and relationship to material studied at Warwick (subject specific)
• critical thinking skills through individual and group reflection (transferable skills)
• Find, evaluate and use previous research at a level appropriate for a level 6 module
• Communicate ideas effectively in writing
• Work effectively with others in group tasks, learn to build and present a reasoned argument and develop oral presentation skills through contribution to seminars

Interdisciplinary

The module is designed to provide the students with the opportunity to explore different disciplinary areas within modern languages and also invites to the students to make connections between how topics are taught in the UK and on the Continent. They will be studying with an interdisciplinary course cohort in our Eutopia partners' micro courses and learning to see from different perspectives is a core aspect of the learning experience. For the reflective essay they are encouraged to use tools from different areas of knowledge and epistemic approaches in order to develop their own critical and creative ideas.

International

The module is centred on students learning in different contexts, including different geopolitical areas, professional environments and linguistic contexts. The content and assessment invite the students to reflect on the societal relevance to those different environments and their intercultural experience. The assessment requires them to reflect on both a global and local level. The international micro course cohorts provide contact opportunities and learning to see from different perspectives

Subject specific skills

Critical knowledge and understanding of 1 or more areas of the field of modern languages (including history, literature, linguistics, film, politics, history of art, philosophy) depending on the microcourses selected. Awareness of the intercultural context in which modules in partner institutions operate; critical knowledge and understanding of intercultural communication; critical and independent reflection on deeper connections between studies in Eutopia partner and Warwick degree.

Transferable skills

students will develop their ability to build and present a reasoned argument through group discussion and interaction; develop oral presentation skills through individual or small group presentation and analytical skills through textual analysis; critical thinking skills through individual and group reflection; digital presentation skills through preparation of visual presentation if part of a partner micro course.
Work effectively with others in group tasks and in teams; Plan and manage time in projects; Develop strong analytical skills; Find, evaluate and use previous research at a level appropriate for a level 6 module. Use a range of tools and resources effectively in the preparation of course work. Use appropriate analytic methods; Communicate clearly and effectively in discussions; Communicate ideas effectively in writing.