Programme syllabus autumn 2011
Programme syllabus autumn 2011
Title
English Studies
Swedish title
English Studies
Programme code
HGENS
Credits
180 credits
Programme establishment date
2007-03-02
Syllabus approval date
2013-08-29
Syllabus valid from
2013-08-29
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Entry requirements
The special prerequisite for this programme focus, besides basic eligibility for university studies, is fieldeligibility 6: Civics A and English B. Applicants are exempted from the Civics A requirement.
Level
Basic level
Organisation
Term 1
Global Language – Global Literature (7.5 credits) EN232E
Subjects of English (15 credits) EN234E
Global Media - Global Culture (7.5 credits) EN233E
Term 2
Reading and Responding (7.5 credits) EN218E
Academic Writing and Rhetoric (7.5 credits) EN208E
Introduction to English Grammar (7.5 credits) EN221E
Phonetics (7.5 credits) EN220E
Term 3
Culture and Representation (7.5 credits) EN222E
Language Analysis (7.5 credits) EN223E
Approaching the English Canon (7.5 credits) EN224E
Academic Writing and Rhetoric II (7.5 credits) EN209E
Term 4
Specialization* electives (30 credits)
OR
Study abroad (30 credits)
Term 5
Specialization electives (30 credits)
OR
Study abroad (30 credits)
Term 6
English III, Linguistic Option (30 credits) EN113L
OR
English III, Literary Option (30 credits) EN113A
The Bachelor in English Studies is a program that aims to reflect the diversity, eclecticism, and multidisciplinarity of contemporary English scholarship. The program is designed for students interested in studying the theory and practice of language in its various social forms. English Studies is thus concerned with both the history and current practices of writing and speaking in English. We examine how understandings of language have developed in fields such as phonetics, sociolinguistics, pragmatics, discourse analysis, and also how the English language has developed into a global language of communication. The focus is on examining the operations of power in the use of language with a special emphasis on gender, class, and ethnicity. English Studies also encompasses literary studies, as well as the study of language-centered cultural production at large, without privileging the historical over the contemporary. It enables the student to develop a sophisticated critical consciousness and an awareness of the ways in which language is structured and used for different purposes in a range of contexts. These contexts include, but are not limited to, film, art, music, advertising, and span English, American, and emerging post-colonial cultures.
The program emphasizes the student’s own written and oral production, incorporating performing arts and creative writing into the curriculum, thus merging critical and creative thinking. English Studies students gain skills that are applicable to a broad range of career opportunities, including teaching, media (editing, publishing, journalism, advertising, TV, radio, film, etc.), as well as business and administration. Students learn to analyze, evaluate, and create a wide range of texts. These transferable skills are recognized by employers who put a high value on: the construction of clearly expressed arguments; the logical presentation and analysis of ideas; the production of creative solutions; the competent management of large amounts of complex information; and the taking of initiative in conducting independent research. The program provides a suitable foundation for graduate studies in English, creative writing, teaching, and other fields, both in Europe and worldwide.
Programme contents
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
A graduate of the Bachelor’s Programme in English Studies:
- understands the central role of language in the creation of meaning;
- has read a substantial amount of literature in various Englishes and understands the historical, political, and cultural issues emerging from and embedded in these literatures;
- understands the historical context of the globalization of English and its cultural consequences;
- knows and understands the methods used in the analysis of language and literature, in particular literary theory, critical discourse analysis, and corpus methodology;
- understands the relationship between form, function, and meaning in English and can analyze language in terms of structure, meaning, and representation and
- has an understanding of Malmö University’s perspective: gender, environment, and migration and ethnicity.
Applying knowledge and understanding
A graduate of the Bachelor’s Programme in English Studies:
engages with texts and recognises how cultural assumptions affect their understanding and interpretation;
- can formulate appropriate research questions and employ suitable research strategies for exploring those questions;
- can think and write independently, drawing on technical skills in literary and linguistic investigation;
- recognizes how the creative process and craft inhere in the production of art and text;
- can apply the knowledge and skills gained from literary and linguistic study to everyday life;
- can use their competences as a basis for a career or further research in relevant areas;
- works to agreed timetables, can manage workloads, and meet deadlines and
- has the ability to apply knowledge of Malmö University’s perspectives – gender, environment and, migration and ethnicity to English Studies issues
Making judgments and developing communication skills
A graduate of the Bachelor’s Programme in English Studies:
- can think logically and make rational judgements based on evidence;
- can synthesize information and ideas drawn from various sources, and evaluate critically opposing positions;
- can think imaginatively and develop creative solutions to problems;
- can evaluate their own work with reference to current conceptual debates in the field and beyond;
- can speak and write English competently in a variety of social and professional situations for a variety of purposes;
- is aware of their personal achievements in working towards the degree and can communicate their competences to potential employers;
- can study independently and collectively, and can tackle intellectual problems creatively and systematically and
- can acquire information and knowledge through the use of an academic library and the extensive range of electronic facilities available, and is competent in evaluating these sources critically.
Degree
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor of Arts with a major in English Studies.
Additional information
Language of instruction: English
In order to continue studies within the programme, a minimum of 45 higher education credits from the previous year of studies is required. Special requirements can be applied to the respective elective course.