LN115-30 Independent Project in Modern Languages
Introductory description
This module enables students to build research skills for the later stages of their undergraduate degree, introduces them to areas of increasing importance in academia such as public engagement and digital humanities, and permits students to explore questions around language learning and themes from their first year core culture modules in more depth. The module comprises a series of skills sessions on undertaking research, public engagement, and digital humanities; tutorials with the module leader; and supervisory meetings with the project supervisor. Students will produce work in a range of formats across the year, linked to themes from their core culture module and the study of modern languages at university level, and will also be graded on their week-to-week engagement with the module.
Module aims
The module will provide a foundation for studying modern languages and cultures at university level for students of single honours degrees and students of language with Film degrees. The module will provide students with support to develop their study skills, linked to the SMLC study skills training programme, while also developing their capacity to undertake independent research into a topic suitable to their first year of study. The module will also develop students' subject-specific skills in that work produced will link to a topic covered in their first year culture module and/or the study of foreign languages.
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.
The syllabus is divided into 3 sections, reflecting the 3 main assignments the students will undertake.
During the first few weeks of the Autumn term, students will attend sessions led by experts from across the university about language learning in the UK, public engagement, and digital humanities, with a view to preparing them for their first assignment (a public engagement project) due in the second half of the term.
The latter part of the Autumn term and the beginning of the Spring term will focus on the production of the student's second assignment (a poster presentation based on a theme from their core culture module). Sessions will be led by the module convenor in the form of workshops providing guidance about completing the assignment and during which students will bring their work-in-progress each week.
The remainder of Spring term and the beginning of the Summer term will focus on the third assignment (a research project on either a theme from students' core culture module or a topic about language learning in the UK). The format will be similar to the second assignment.
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
- Demonstrate an understanding of public engagement and digital humanities, and how universities can use these to reach diverse audiences
- Demonstrate an ability to produce work in a variety of formats and for a variety of audiences
Research element
The project's assessments are centred on independent research.
In terms of research training, students will be guided by the module convenor/their supervisor for the various assignments. This will take the form of in-class sessions led by the module convenor (e.g. 'how to write an Introduction', 'how to write a literature review', 'how to find relevant primary/secondary sources'), workshops in which students will share/compare their work and collaborate with one another to improve their work, and one-to-one meetings (either during class time or Office Hours) with their supervisor.
Students are also required to attend the SMLC's 'Academic and Professional Training' (APT) weekly lectures, which include sessions from Library staff about finding sources and sessions from SMLC colleagues about researching, writing, referencing, etc.. Students' attendance at such sessions will be monitored by the module convenor.
Training in public engagement will be delivered in conjunction with the Warwick Institute of Engagement, whilst training in digital humanities will be provided by the Arts Faculty's Director of (Digital) Student Experience.
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 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
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Tutorials | 19 sessions of 2 hours (13%) |
| Project supervision | 3 sessions of 1 hour (1%) |
| Private study | 259 hours (86%) |
| Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
Week-to-week preparation for class, week-to-week working on the various assignments across the year.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A1
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Public engagement piece | 25% | Yes (extension) | |
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A student-created public engagement piece designed to combat the challenges facing modern languages across the University sector and in the UK more widely. The aim is to design a public engagement event to promote language learning to a particular audience (designated by the student), taking into account what sorts of activities/approaches would be the most appropriate, how these would be delivered, how success would be measured, etc.. The submitted work requires two pieces: the design for the event (in the format most suitable, to be discussed by student with module convenor) and a written commentary of 1200 words in which the student justifies their approach (choice of audience, language(s), activities, delivery, measuring success/failure). |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Contribution to learning activities | 10% | Yes (waive) | |
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Students will be assessed across the year based on their contribution to the module's learning activities. This will be based on: attendance at/participation in weekly sessions and the weekly completion of a portfolio document detailing their progress on the various assessments/tasks across the year. Attendance at the SMLC's weekly Academic and Professional Training (APT) sessions will also be factored in. |
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Reassessment component |
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| Contribution to learning activities reflection | Yes (extension) | ||
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Students would complete a reflective piece of 1200 words (plus any footnotes/bibliography if needed) about their learning process and growing research awareness as they completed the work. |
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Assessment component |
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| Poster Presentation | 25% | Yes (extension) | |
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Students will work individually to create a poster exploring a theme from the first term of their core culture module. As well as producing the poster, they will present it to the class. Both the poster itself and the presentation contribute towards the grade. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Independent research project | 40% | Yes (extension) | |
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The final project assignment, based either on a theme from the student's core culture module or on a theme related to language learning. This will take the form of an essay (2500 words + footnotes/bibliography). |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Feedback will be provided throughout the course of the module. Each assignment will be assessed using the SMLC's cultural module marking criteria and the school-wide feedback sheet. Ongoing feedback will be offered on the contribution to learning activities. Informal feedback will also be provided verbally in class when working on the various projects and in supervisory meetings.
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 1 of ULNA-R300 BA in Italian Studies
- Year 1 of UFRA-R101 Undergraduate French Studies
- Year 1 of UGEA-R200 Undergraduate German Studies
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 1 of UFRA-R1WA Undergraduate French with Film Studies
- Year 1 of UGEA-RP33 Undergraduate German with Film Studies
- Year 1 of UITA-R3W5 Undergraduate Italian with Film Studies