BA
(Hons)
Language Literacy & Communication 3yr
(BA LLC)
Number of places:
30
WWW: http://www.education.man.ac.uk
Tel: 0161-275 3379
Fax: 0161-275 3373
email: joyce.self@man.ac.uk
This degree, offered for the first time in 2001/02,
focuses on three interrelated topics of enquiry that are fundamental to
human endeavour in the 21st century: language, literacy and communication.
Language forms the basis of human communication whether spoken, written
or computer-mediated. Despite the predominance of the English language
in international communication, proficiency in more than one language
is increasingly valued. The BALLC provides opportunities both for greater
understanding of the English language and also for the development of
other languages, for example through student exchanges with Universities
abroad.
Literacy as a tool for communication is rapidly developing
new horizons, as it is crucial for accessing email and the Internet. Literacy
is also a key element of UK government policy, reflected in the importance
attached to the National Literacy Hour in schools. Yet both at home and
abroad, there are many adults who cannot read and write. Literacy is a
fascinating new area of study, challenging us to think differently about
not only how we read and write, but also how we interpret the concept
of literacy itself.
Communication Studies is a new and evolving discipline.
Skills and knowledge in this field are at a premium and will continue
to be so in the future. Graduates of the BA LLC will possess a high level
of computer literacy and be able to demonstrate effective interpersonal,
intercultural and teamwork skills. The opportunity to complete the European
Computer Driving Licence, a valuable additional qualification, is included
in the study skills training offered in the first year of the programme.
Structure of the programme
The core areas develop progressively over the three years.
In Year 1, you take
course units which lay the foundations in all three core areas: Aspects
of Language, The Structure of English, Aspects of Literacy, Reading and
Writing Processes, Effective Group Work, Aspects of Communication, Study
and ICT Skills and an optional course unit.
In Year 2, you strengthen
your knowledge of the core areas through the following course units: Language
Acquisition and Language Development, Acquisition of Literacy, Literacy
and Social Development, Communication and the World of Work and Ethnographic
Research. Year 2 also offers you the exciting opportunity to develop self-reliance
and your ability as a researcher by undertaking a substantial piece of
research during a Study Placement in Britain or abroad. Another innovative
aspect of the programme is the inclusion of a Career Management unit in
Year 2 to enable you to make the most of the future work opportunities
available to you.
In Year 3, students
are offered the opportunity to deepen and apply their knowledge in more
specialised areas. The compulsory course units are: Bilingual Language
Development, Analysing Spoken Discourse, Problems in Learning to Read,
Adult Literacy, Communicating with Digital Media and Mass Media. In Year
3 you have opportunities for choice according to interests and career
aspirations: 30 credits each are assigned to optional courses and to the
dissertation. The dissertation can be on any topic that falls within the
disciplines of the degree, and offers you an invaluable chance to conduct
in-depth study of a kind and in a subject that you find particularly rewarding.
Teaching, Learning and
Assessment
There is variety in our approaches to teaching and learning: lectures,
tutorials, seminars and practical classes are employed. Fieldwork, self-directed
study, individual and group projects and oral presentations form an integral
part of some courses. You will receive individual support throughout from
personal and academic tutors.
Assessment procedures vary and we aim to achieve a good
balance between formal examinations, assessed essays, project work, practical
assignments, reports and reflective learning logs.
Career Opportunities
Administration, management, personnel, advertising and publicity, journalism,
media, counselling, social work, development work (eg with NGOs), publishing.
The BA LLC offers a coherent programme of courses related to different
forms of human communication and offers knowledge and skills useful to
support any career or profession. Studying language and literacy and examining
how different styles of written and spoken language can serve different
communication purposes, will benefit those of you who wish to pursue careers
such as those in management, personnel, advertising and publicity. The
components on interpersonal communication and communication technology
are offered in greater depth than on most "humanities" undergraduate degrees
and provide you with invaluable transferable skills relevant for work
in business or administration, public or private sector.
Applied language and literacy - The study of language
and the application of language and literacy knowledge in itself forms
a sound basis for all kinds of work, but specifically provides a foundation
for postgraduate training in speech and language therapy, work with second
language learners and adult literacy.
The study placement in Year 2 and the dissertation in
Year 3 allow focus on topics of future professional interest. Similarly,
in selecting optional courses, you can choose from any relevant titles
for which you are eligible throughout the University. In this way, options
can be tailored to suit future career choices. For example, within the
Faculty of Education, these might include units related to special education,
special needs and disability. (A substantial proportion of the national
education budget is devoted to special education). The areas of study
relating to special needs will also support careers within those charities
that serve children and adults with disabilities.
Entry Requirements
You must have GCSE Maths and English. We require BBC/BCC grades at A-level
or AS or AGNVQ levels of equivalent weight and grades. Mature entrants
are welcomed and will be given individual consideration.
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