Languages and Cultures

Course details

The MA in Languages and Cultures is a flexible programme that aims to equip students with advanced language skills in one or more areas and to develop their expertise in intercultural communication and cultural transfer. With a particular focus on training students for the global workplace, the programme enables students to take up an additional language and to develop digital and research skills.

Students graduating from the programme will have advanced knowledge and expertise in one or more language areas offered and will be able to choose from modules designed to enhance professional skills and employability and deepen their knowledge of the target cultures in which they specialise.

Course Details

This one-year MA course (90 credits) will appeal to a wide range of people, including present and future language teachers, and those interested in language studies, linguistics and oral and written communication. The course begins in late September, with teaching ending in March. The thesis is submitted in early October. The course involves attendance at lectures and seminars, the writing of course papers and completion of other assessed tasks including presentations.

The core set of modules introduces students to key concepts needed for engagement in a global market-place: mobility and globalization; intercultural communication; cultural transfer and exchange. They also involve research training and development as well as a dissertation in the student’s area of choice.

Core programme

• LL6008 Negotiating Knowledges in the Networked Society [10 credits]
• L6901 Research Methods [5 credits]
• LL6007 Research Journal and Presentation [5 credits]

There are two broad subject areas from which students pick their optional courses:

Skills & Employability and Languages & Cultures

Skills & Employability provides an opportunity to take up another language at Beginners level and you can choose from German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Catalan and Galician. French is also offered at advanced level. There is also a course offering training in teaching and learning languages and cultures as well as a range of practical applied courses in teaching methodologies. It includes an online course (in Spanish) as well as courses in advanced translation and linguistics.

Languages and Cultures

Languages and Cultures offers a range of modules across all four disciplines designed to attract students with interests in the target cultures of their choice

Postgraduate Diploma in Languages and Cultures (NFQ Level 9, Major award):

Students who pass taught modules to the value of at least 60 credits may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Languages and Cultures.

Detailed Entry Requirements

Applicants should normally have at least an honours primary degree or equivalent at a second class honours grade one in French, German, Italian or Hispanic Studies/Spanish.

Candidates with language or linguistics degrees at second class honours grade one completed through the medium of French, German, Italian or Spanish may also be considered following a review of their inpidual qualifications by the course committee.

Candidates who hold a 2H2 level may also be considered, based on the information provided in a supplementary statement and/or interview acceptable to the programme selection committee.

Applicants may be required to present themselves for interview or further assessment before a final decision is made.

Graduates who do not meet the above entry requirements may also be considered if they are deemed to have reached equivalent experiential learning( including proficiency in language and intercultural skills from other sources). Such applications will be considered subject to approval by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Science

Course Practicalities

Lecture hours and timetables depend largely on your chosen modules. The elective modules have a value of 10 credits and involve two hours of teaching per week during one semester. The rest of the modules may have a value of 5 or 10 credits and they take a variety of different formats (workshops, participation in research seminars, online learning), so an estimation of the total amount of classes for the duration of the academic year would be between 5 and 10 hours per week, with more than this devoted to directed study outside class hours.

Assessment

Assessment varies depending on your choice of subjects but assessment methods include oral presentations, essays, exams and research portfolios