Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.- Awarding Institution / Body
- Teaching Institution
- University Department/Centre
- External Accreditation
- Title of Final Award
- Modes of Attendance offered
4 year (sandwich) or
3 year FT
- UCAS Code
- Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s)
- Other external influences
- Date of production/revision of this form
- Aims of the Programme
- To offer an academically challenging programme of work to an advanced level of linguistic proficiency for students who have little, or no, previous experience of Arabic;
- To give students a sound understanding of Arabic culture and contemporary society ;
- To provide an opportunity for intellectual growth and personal development to a level appropriate to an Honours degree;
- To offer students the opportunity to pursue a programme of study related to their existing strengths, needs and interests which will stimulate an inquiring, analytical and creative response;
- To provide a framework which will, so far as is possible, permit transfer to and from other advanced courses offered by the University and other institutions;
- To develop students’ interpersonal skills, critical self-awareness, language, debating and problem-solving skills.
- To enhance students’ employment and career opportunities at home and abroad, especially in Arabic-speaking countries;
- To promote a keen interest in scholarship and a positive attitude to lifelong learning.
- Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A.Knowledge and Understanding
- A1. communicate with confidence and accuracy in spoken and written Arabic;
- A2. demonstrate a level of competence reflecting an understanding of the societal, political, cultural and economic environment of Arabic-speaking countries today;
- A3. demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a specific topic relating to Arabic culture.
Teaching and Learning Methods
- lectures, seminars, supervision (projects & dissertations), role-play, pair work, group work, simulation, listening comprehensions, portfolio, written exercises (e.g. translation, prose, reading comprehensions, etc)
Assessment methods
- presentations, essays, reports, posters, written tests, oral & written exams, portfolio; dissertation
B.Subject-specific skills
- B1. high order linguistic skills in Arabic;
- B2. communication and written competence in a variety of registers;
- B3. cross-cultural awareness;
- B4. enhancement of professional and personal skills as a result of work/study placement in anArabic-speaking country.
Teaching and Learning Methods
- lectures, seminars, supervision (projects & dissertations), role-play, pair work, simulation, listening comprehensions, portfolio, written exercises (e.g. translation, prose, reading comprehensions, etc)
Assessment methods
- presentations, essays, reports, written tests, oral & written exams, portfolio; dissertation; projects.
C.Thinking Skills
- C1. analyse and critically evaluate aspects of Arabic culture;
- C2. apply relevant knowledge across a broad spectrum of issues relating to Arabic-speaking countries;
- C3. formulate a reasoned argument/case through debate.
Teaching and Learning Methods
- Project & dissertation supervision, seminars, lectures.
Assessment methods
- Presentations, essays, reports, dissertation, oral and written exams, presentations, projects.
D.Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
- D1. work independently and collaboratively;
- D2. make appropriate use of electronic communication, word processing and accessing electronic information sources;
- D3. awareness of learning styles and needs;
- D4. self-awareness in relation to their future study, careers and lives.
Teaching and Learning Methods
- Project & dissertation supervision, seminars, lectures, simulations, independent research in Worldwise Learning Centre / Library, Blackboard, use of Internet.
Assessment methods
- dissertation, projects, presentations, posters, essays.
13.Programme Structures / 14.Awards and Credits*
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Credit rating
Level 6 / AK3000
AK3001
AK3003
ML3990
AK3005
AK3004
RB3005
VO3002 / Compulsory Modules
All students will study the following:
Arabic Language 3A
Arabic Language 3B
Arabic/English Translation
Dissertation (Core)
Optional modules / Elective Modules
Arabic Literature in EnglishArabic for Business
Political Islam & Islamic Movements
Option/Elective providing
Work Experience:
Leading a Community Project / 20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20 / BA (Hons) Arabic Language and Studies
Requires 360 credits including a minimum of 220 at Level 5 or above and 100 at Level 6
BA Arabic Language and Studies
Requires 320 credits including a minimum of 180 at Level 5 or above and 60 at Level 6
Sandwich route requires successful completion of ML2882 which has a notional credit rating of 120 credits
Level 5 / AK2000
AK2001
AK2002
AK2004
AK2005
AK2006 / Compulsory modules
All students will study the following:
Arabic Language 2A
Arabic Language 2B
Colloquial Arabic of the Levant
Contemporary Female Arab and Muslim Writers
Arabic and the Written Word
Arabic Thought Through Music and Film / 20
20
20
20
20
20 / HE Diploma in Arabic Language and Studies
Requires 240 credits including a minimum of 100 at Level 5 or above.
ML2882 / and / or
Assessed Year Abroad (undertaken in Year 3 of the 4-year programme and assessed on a Pass/Fail basis) / 120 notional credits
Level 4 / AK1010
AK1002
AK1004
AK1005
LG1200 / Compulsory modules
All students will study the following:
Arabic Language 1
Arabic History and Contemporary Society
The Arab World Through Travel Literature
Arabic Folklore
English Language Workshop 1 / 40
20
20
20
20 / HE Certificate
Requires 120 credits at Level 4 or above
15.Personal Development Planning
Personal Development Planning (PDP) will be used in this programme in a number of ways to support the development of academic, personal and professional skills. PDP is managed through the Department’s Personal Tutoring system in line with university-wide requirements.
The programme employs a variety of assessments, including portfolio assessment and placement reports, which are powerful tools that help students reflect upon their skills, identify areas of strength and weakness, plan for development and demonstrate evidence of action.
The main skills assessed and developed within the modules of the programme are indicated in the attached Curriculum Skills Map.
The progress in achieving the students’ PDP objectives will be monitored through the Personal Tutoring System in the Department of Languages, Literature and International Studies. The management of this system is documented in the Department’s Personal Tutoring and Personal Development Planning Staff Handbook and the Student Guide to the Personal Tutor System and PDP (Available via Blackboard).
16.Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
Specific entry requirements involve 300-360 points at A/A2 level. Standard entry requirements include at least two A2 level subjects (or equivalent); one A2 level subject plus one VCE Advanced level; one double award VCE Advanced level; or two single awards VCE Advanced level. Students should also be able to demonstrate an aptitude for language study (e.g. a GCSE or equivalent language qualification). For international students, an IELTS score of at least 7.0 is required for entry on to the Single Honours route. Students with non-traditional qualifications or evidence of experiential learning may also be admitted subject to interview.
17.Key sources of information about the programme
- UCAS Handbook
- Factsheet
- School Website –
18.Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Core (C), Compulsory (COMP) or Option (O) / Programme Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding / Subject-specific Skills / Thinking Skills / Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
A1 / A2 / A3 / B1 / B2 / B3 / B4 / C1 / C2 / C3 / D1 / D2 / D3 / D4
LEVEL 6 / AK3000 / Arabic Language 3A / COMP / / / / / / / / / / /
AK3001 / Arabic Language 3B / COMP / / / / / / / / / / /
AK3003 / Arabic/English Translation / COMP / / / / / / / / / / /
ML3990 / Dissertation / / / / / / / /
AK3004 / Arabic for Business / O / / / / / / / / / /
AK3005 / Arabic Literature in English / O / / / / / / / / /
RB3005 / Political Islam & Islamic Movements / O / / / / / / / /
VO3002 / Leading a Community Project / O / / / / / /
LEVEL 5 / AK2000 / Arabic Language 2A / COMP / √ / √ / √ / √ / / /
AK2001 / Arabic Language 2B / COMP / / / / / / / / /
AK2002 / Colloquial Arabic of the Levant / COMP / / / / / / / / / /
AK2006 / Arabic Thought Through Music and Film / COMP / / / / / / / / /
AK2004 / Contemporary Female Arab and Muslim Writers / COMP / / / / / / / / /
AK2005 / Arabic and the Written Word / COMP / / / / / / / / / / /
ML2882 / Assessed Year Abroad / O / / / / / / / / / / / / /
LEVEL 4 / AK1010 / Arabic Language 1 / COMP / √ / √ / √ / / √ / √ /
AK1002 / Arabic History and Contemporary Society / COMP / / / / / / / / / /
AK1005 / Arabic Folklore / COMP / / / / / / / / / /
AK1004 / The Arab World Through Travel Literature / COMP / / / / / / / / / /
LG1200 / English Language Workshop / O