BA Philosophy and Linguistics Programme Specification 2023-24

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2023-24
3	Revised February 2023
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6	Programme Title			BA Philosophy and Linguistics.
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8	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			2023		Award type			BA
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10	What level is this qualification?			Level 6		Length of programme			3 years
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12	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full
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14	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			Yes		For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			N/A
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16	Awarding institution			University of York		Board of Studies for the programme			Philosophy
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18	Lead department			Philosophy		Other contributing departments			Language and Linguistic Science.
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20	Language of study and assessment			English		Language(s) of assessment			English
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22	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Campus
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24	Partner organisations
25	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
26	None
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29	Reference points
30	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
31	All of above
32	All of above
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34	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
35	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
36	No
37	No
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39	Exceptions to Regulations
40	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
41	No
42	No
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44	Internal Transfers
45	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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47		Transfers in:	Yes, students may transfer in to or out of the programme in accordance with University Regulations. Transfers will be dependent upon student numbers and available places.			Transfers out:	Yes, students may transfer in to or out of the programme, in accordance with University Regulations and Departmental approval. Transfers will be dependent upon student numbers and available places.
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50	Statement of Purpose
51	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
52	Philosophy and Linguistics blend together to create a fascinating and challenging combined degree. Through linguistics, you’ll explore the nature and workings of language. Using scientific and analytical tools, you’ll explore the structure, history, and sociocultural impact of language, coming to understand the English language from the inside out. Through philosophy, you’ll investigate fundamental questions about reality, thought, language, and value. Using critical thinking, precise argumentation, and creativity, you’ll explore and evaluate potential solutions to deep and difficult problems. By studying philosophy and linguistics in conjunction, you’ll be in a position to bring both unique sets of tools together to enhance your understanding of both disciplines: linguistics will help you to uncover logical structures and distinctions that will feed into your philosophical evaluations of arguments and analysis of concepts; and philosophical exploration of the relationships between language, our minds, and the world will enhance your understanding of language. This programme will equip you with a powerful range of skills and abilities, putting you in a position to think in a systematic way about new problems and to communicate your ideas clearly and forcefully. You will learn to deal with controversial theories and proposals, weigh evidence, assess the quality of arguments, and confidently express your own conclusions. You will emerge with advanced skills in writing, argumentation, and analysis. This skill set will place you in a unique position for a wide range of career paths, from marketing to publishing to software development, and will fundamentally change the way you view and engage with the world we live in.
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63	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
64	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?			Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
65	Certificate of Higher Education			No	Students will meet all PLOs (1-6) to a limited extent.			120 credits; at least 100 credits at C-level or higher.
66	Diploma of Higher Education			No	Students will meet all PLOs (1-6) to a moderate extent.			240 credits; at least 100 credits at I-level or higher.
67	Ordinary Degree			No	Students will meet all PLOs (1-6) to a substantial extent.			300 credits; at least 60 credits at H-level.
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69	Programme Learning Outcomes
70	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
71	1	Produce insightful and illuminating explanations of key problems and puzzles in philosophy and linguistics and apply their understanding in approaching new problems.
72	2	Explore and develop potential solutions to complex problems and puzzles in philosophy and linguistics.
73	3	Lay out what can be said for and against these solutions, and make a measured judgement about what is the best solution in each case, supporting that judgment with a sustained line of argument.
74	4	Use scientifically grounded approaches to the nature, use and acquisition of language to investigate complex and unfamiliar linguistic phenomena, discern relevant patterns and articulate their relevance to linguistic and philosophical audiences.
75	5	Work effectively and productively as a thinker and learner, individually and in collaboration with others.
76	6	Communicate complex ideas in clear and accessible terms in a range of formats.
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78	Diverse entry routes
79	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
80	We give significant support to students who need additional support in developing academic and transferable skills. This is done (i) by module leaders in the relevant departments, and (ii) by the student’s supervisor -- who may be in either the Philosophy or Linguistics department. Students are warmly encouraged to make use of module tutors’ office hours where they are struggling with material. And module leaders explicitly look out for students having difficulty or failing to attend seminars -- contacting either the student directly or the student’s supervisor to provide additional support.
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89	Inclusion
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91	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.
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93	Employability
94	Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
95	There is a very good match between the skills highlighted in the PLOs and what research shows employers want university-level education to emphasize. Among the top list of attributes employers most desire in their employees (Hart Research Associates, 2013, <https://aacu.org/sites/default/files/files/LEAP/2013_EmployerSurvey.pdf>) are: - Critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills, 82%. - The ability to analyze and solve complex problems, 81%. - Effective communication 80% . - Extraction and organization of information, 72% . - Teamwork skills applicable to diverse settings, 67%. The PLOs for the Philosophy/Linguistics degree are tailored to promote these attributes/skills: - Critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills. (PLOs 2, 3, 4). - The ability to analyze and solve complex problems. (PLOs 1, 2, 3, 4). - Effective communication. (PLO 6). - Extraction and organization of information. (PLOs 1, 3, 4). - Teamwork skills applicable to diverse settings. (PLO 5). While some employer-desired skills and attributes might change over time, depending on technology or psychological fads, critical thinking, communication, and the ability to work with others are timeless skills that are not going out of fashion any time soon.
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