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MA Languages

The new MA Languages replaces existing programmes in French, Modern French Studies: Culture and Memory, French and Linguistics, Irish and Celtic Studies, Spanish and Spanish: Image and Text. This MA programme is being developed alongside the Institute for Collaborative Research in the Humanities (ICRH), and its ethos and design complement this major strategic move by embedding disciplinary perspectives in a broader interdisciplinary framework.

Aims and Learning Outcomes

The aim of the MA Languages is to provide graduates with an advanced qualification in the language, literature, culture and/or linguistics of one (or more) of the Languages offered in the School of Modern Languages (French, Irish, Spanish & Portuguese). On successful completion of the MA Languages, students will have:

  • gained an advanced knowledge and understanding of the language, literature, culture and/or linguistics of their specialist language(s);
  • acquired an advanced knowledge and understanding of the principles of scholarship, and research methodologies, both theoretical and analytical, in the subject area;
  • developed a sophisticated level of critical thinking and expression, an enhanced capacity for critical reflection and judgment in the light of evidence and argument, and skills appropriate to self-directed study and independent research;
  • the ability to develop independent and sophisticated insights into important aspects of their chosen area of specialisation, and demonstrate these through undertaking a substantial piece of independent research on an appropriate topic within the field.

Structure and Module Outline

The structure of the MA Languages is a flexible one, giving students the opportunity to undertake advanced study in one of more of the languages taught in the School (French, Irish, Portuguese, Spanish).

The MA Languages includes 5 taught modules (totalling 120 credits) and 1 dissertation module (60 credits)

  • LAN7000 Research Methodologies (40 CATS; full-year module). This is a compulsory module, designed to equip students with the necessary skills for postgraduate study at MA level, as well as introducing them to theoretical debates and methodologies underpinning advanced study in the field.  Students wishing to specialise in Linguistics may substitute the English Language (ENL) Research Methods modules for MML7000.

  • LAN7001 Advanced Language Study: Language 1 (20 CATS). In this module students will specialise in one of the languages offered by the School (French, Irish or Spanish). The module develops linguistic skills acquired during an undergraduate degree, and focuses on a range of issues, including: awareness of language in context from a range of registers; modern translation theory and linguistic theory; practical application of critical reading skills; stylistics.

  • LAN7002 Advanced Language Study: Language 2 (20 CATS). Students holding a joint-honours degree in two of the languages offered by the School may elect to take a second Advanced Language Study module in second semester in lieu of LAN7005.

  • LAN7003, 7004 and 7005 (20 CATS each): These 3 modules will focus on introducing students to scholarship and specialist debates in their chosen area of research specialisation through a programme of study agreed between them and the module convenor. Through a combination of seminars, student-led workshops and private study, students will develop a critical perspective on chosen areas of study within their area of specialisation. Over the course of these 3 modules students will apply skills and knowledge from the Research Methods module, and acquire the knowledge and develop the subject-specific skills required to undertake a specialist dissertation on an agreed topic. Module content will be linked to the research strengths of the School, and will focus on themes such as: literary studies (from Renaissance to the present), postcolonialism, visual studies, narrative, linguistics, philology, and gender.

  • LAN7006 Dissertation (60 CATS). Students complete a 15000 word dissertation under the supervision of a specialist in their chosen area, on a research topic agreed by both student and supervisor.

 

Opportunities for Careers

A Languages MA gives students the opportunity to enhance linguistic, research and professional skills which are relevant to a variety of careers. It provides research training for those who wish to continue their studies at doctoral level, and, for those who wish to pursue other careers, it provides skills valued by a range of employers, such as high-level linguistic skills in one or more languages, the ability to work independently, collate and analyse information from a variety of sources, and manage a research project. Recent MA graduates from the School of Modern Languages have gone into careers in sectors such as marketing and public relations, journalism and the media, banking and finance, translation, the Civil Service, the Diplomatic Service and teaching.

Contact

Dr Nigel Harkness

School of Modern Languages

Queen’s University Belfast

T: +44 (0)28 9097 3140

E: ml@qub.ac.uk