Aims of the programme
The MRes Modern Languages is an interdisciplinary degree bringing together the academic expertise of staff of the Institute of Germanic & Romance Studies with that of specialists from Colleges of the University of London and from other universities. Alongside the development of techniques, skills and knowledge relevant to the interests and research needs of individual students, the MRes programme aims to equip students both for independent research and analysis in primary and secondary material, and for writing and thinking at an advanced level, thus fostering students' intellectual development and independent learning ability required for continuing professional and personal development.
This degree programme is flexible and may cater for candidates with anything between one and three modern foreign languages [MFLs]. All students take the Research Training and write a dissertation, in addition they take two guided research topics [GRTs].
Intended programme outcomes, and how they are achieved Outcomes are broadly defined as either knowledge-based or skill-based and are realised in combination. Thus the categories of outcomes below are not mutually exclusive; knowledge and understanding, skills of various kinds and other attributes are complementary attainments gained in reciprocal relationship with one another. The programme draws substantially on the active research of teaching staff in the specialist areas of study.
At the end of this MRes, students will have acquired:
generic and specific research skills from the Research Training workshops, including skills in writing; bibliography, filmography etc; theoretical approaches; presentational skills.
the ability to write a dissertation under close supervision, to exercise research skills; the ability developed to read testing material (theoretical, literary or in other media) and to shape and justify arguments both in speech and in writing; essay-writing skills; presentational skills acquired both in one-to-one discussion and in the end-of-course oral presentation of dissertation; further experience in research by having two terms' guided research under one-to-one supervision in a topic chosen in a MFL field in which they may continue to doctoral research.
Knowledge and understanding
Students will acquire:
A detailed understanding of thematic approaches and more specific case studies to examine the principal analytical debates; The ability to carry out reflective investigation of the literature; An in-depth knowledge of recent and current developments within the specialist areas of study; An in-depth knowledge of the theories and methods used to enhance understanding of the issues in the specialist areas of study; A critical and well-balanced approach to the gathering, analysis and interpretation of data.
Methods and research training related to the dissertation component of the degree is provided throughout the year, and the Institute's extensive programme of seminars, workshops and conferences, covering a wide range of disciplines, complements the learning strategies.
In addition, students will have studied a range of primary material through which they will have learned to carry over a firm grounding in the culture of the French-, German-, Italian-, Portuguese- or Spanish speaking world into a comparative context.
Skills and other attributes
Students will acquire the ability to:
Handle sources of information at an advanced level; Develop powers of expression and argumentation; Communicate complex ideas in writing and oral presentations; Use appropriate critical methodologies; Conduct independent research at an advanced level, and evaluate and critically use material; Display analysis of research carried out on primary and secondary material providing a foundation for academic research and work; Improve language skills (English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish where applicable); Enhance writing skills including style, organisation of ideas, clarity of expression, argument and presentation; Engage critically with a wide body of literature.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies Learning strategies. Learning strategies include presentations, private reading and independent research, individual tuition and support for seminar and essay presentation, the preparation and submission of 2 GRTs, and a dissertation for which a dissertation supervisor is assigned.
