humanities prospectus

20092010Undergraduate programmes in

Humanitiesby External study

www.londonexternal.ac.uk/humanities

Academic direction by: Goldsmiths Birkbeck Heythrop Royal Holloway

Undergraduate study in Humanities

Glossary of termsn Exemption If the University

recognises that you have already covered a unit syllabus in the same depth and breadth as part of a previous qualification, you will be granted an 'exemption' whereby you will not be required to take a particular unit as part of your degree. n External student A student registered for a programme of study via the University of London External System. n External System The structure that provides support and delivery for study via the External System, i.e. the framework by which someone is able to earn a University of London

award without attending a College or Institute of the University. n Federal university The University of London is a federal university made up of 19 Colleges (e.g. LSE, Royal Holloway, UCL) and a number of central academic Institutes. n Occasional student (BA Classical Studies only) You can register for individual units of the BA Classical Studies degree as an Occasional student. In order to register, you must satisfy the entrance requirements for the degree. You pay a single fee for the unit(s) of your choice. Please note: an Occasional student cannot, under any

circumstance, transfer to the degree or accumulate passes and then apply to be awarded the degree. n Regulations The rules governing the structure and content of your programme, as well as progression and assessment details. The regulations for all our programmes can be found online at:

www.londonexternal.ac.uk/ current_students/general_ resources/regulations/index.shtmln Short course (BA Philosophy

only) You can apply to study the unit 'Introduction to Philosophy' as a short course (please see page 34 for details).


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ContentsUndergraduate study in HumanitiesThe University of London and the External System 3 Programmes available 4 Academic direction: the Lead Colleges 6 How you study 8 Additional educational support 10 BA Classical Studies 12 BA and Diploma in English 14 BA History 16 Modern languages 18 BA French 20 BA German 22 BA Italian 24 BA French and German BA German and Italian BA Italian and French BA Spanish and Latin American Studies BA and Diploma in Philosophy Programmes in Divinity; Theology; Philosophy, Religion and Ethics Programme syllabuses Entrance requirements Application and registration process Documentary evidence Qualifications for entrance 26 27 29 30 32 36 40 66 68 70 72 Tests of proficiency in English Exemptions and transfer Fees and contacts Information for students with a disability and/or special needs 79 81 82 84

Using this prospectusThere is a colour coded band at the top of each page in this prospectus. The colour of this band either refers to the different types of qualifications on offer or to a specific piece of information that you might need. The red colour used as banding on this page refers to any general information related to the University or the suite of qualifications. A guide to the other colours used for different types of qualifications is listed on the right.

General information Classical Studies English History Modern languages

Philosophy Divinity and Theology How to apply Exemptions and transfer Qualifications for entrance

Key datesApplication deadline: You can apply throughout the year, but we strongly advise you to apply as early as possible. Applications must be received no later than: n 17 September* (students resident outside the EU)n 17 October*

Registration deadline: 30 November* Despatch of study materials: Shortly after your registration form is received Start studying: As soon as you receive your study materials Examinations take place: May/June* In the year before you intend to sit your first examinations.

BA Classical Studies and BA History onlyApplication deadline: n 30 June* Registration deadline: 31 August* Examinations take place: May* In the year before you intend to sit your first examinations.

(students resident within the EU)

Note: Applicants to BA Spanish and Latin American Studies are strongly advised to submit their application as soon as possible and not delay submission until the deadline date.

2 Undergraduate study in Humanities

Key points: Information about studying on the Humanities programmesn Undertake a potentially n Develop your criticaln Gain a systematic n Flexible programme n Develop your

life-changing study programme with the University of London.

thinking, analytical and organizational skills.

approach to engaging with a subject you are passionate about.

structures allow you to specialise in areas of particular interest and combine study with work. See profile on: Sallyanne Stanford-Clark (page 61)

transferable skills and enhance your career prospects at the same time.

See profile on: Justice Anthony Gafoor (page 35)

See profile on: Christina Yew Lan (page 47)

See profile on: William I.Y. Byun (page 39)

See profile on: Christine Long (page 28)


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The University of London and the External SystemWelcome from Sir Graeme Davies, Vice-Chancellor, University of London and Professor Jonathan Kydd, Dean, External SystemFor more than 150 years, the University through its External System has been offering degree programmes to students all over the world. It has always prided itself on being an international institution and its External System demonstrates this inclusive outlook. Today, it has 45,000 students studying in over 180 countries, bringing the University to you through flexible and distance learning. As a family of world-class institutions, the University has a reputation for academic distinction in teaching and research, both in the UK and internationally. Ranging from education to management, and from law to philosophy, all programmes offered through the External System are developed by academics within the Colleges of the University. This ensures that our awards are recognised worldwide for their quality and value, and that students benefit from the academic rigour and cutting-edge research undertaken within the Colleges. Studying with the University of London is one of the greatest investments you can make in yourself.

HRH The Princess Royal, Chancellor of the University of London, viewing a sundial unveiled as part of the University of London External Systems 150th Anniversary celebrations in 2008. Pictured with Professor Jonathan Kydd, Dean of the External System, and Sir Graeme Davies, Vice-Chancellor, University of London.

We look forward to welcoming you into our global community of students and wish you every success.

Fact filen The University of London

The University of LondonThe University of London is one of the leading universities in Europe. Its world-class federation of 19 Colleges and a number of smaller specialist Institutes provides an unrivalled range of education opportunities of outstanding breadth and quality. The University is unique in its size and federal structure. Today, the federation includes specialised Colleges such as the Royal Veterinary College, while others such as UCL and LSE are multi-faculty. In 1858, with the establishment of its External System, the University broke new ground by opening up its awards to those who either could not or did not wish to come to London to study. This anticipated twentieth century developments in open, distance and flexible learning by more than 100 years.

Academics who teach and assess campus-based students develop and write the study materials for our programmes. They also set the exam papers and mark the scripts. Robust quality assurance mechanisms have been endorsed by the Quality Assurance Agency the UKs independent body for safeguarding the quality and standards of Higher Education. External students are examined to the same standard as that required of students enroled at the Universitys constituent Colleges. This principle of equivalency is enshrined in our Regulations: Candidates granted degrees and other awards shall have attained the same academic standard irrespective of mode or place of study or examination.

External System is the worlds oldest provider of degrees through distance and flexible learning. n Today, we have 45,000 students worldwide studying on 100+ degrees, diplomas and certificates. n Former students and alumni include six Nobel Prize winners, leaders of Commonwealth countries, government ministers, renowned authors, academics, judges and business leaders. n The External Systems reputation internationally continues to ensure our graduates are to be found in leading positions around the world. n We have an active Alumni Association which offers unique networking opportunities.


Programmes availableProgramme title Number of units 12 Study period 38 years Key points BA Classical Studies n Developed by Royal Holloway, a recognised centre of excellence in teaching and research.n Provides a greater understanding of history, trains you to think critically,

assess evidence of many kinds and express ideas with precision.n The broad range of skills that you will learn while studying, all highly

valued by employers, can be transferred to many different careers. Diploma in English 4 15 years n Developed by Goldsmiths, one of the highest ranking English and Comparative Literature departments in the UK. n The faculty embraces new and traditional approaches to English studies. n Provides an opportunity to learn about some of the great literatures of the world. n The Diploma is an award in its own right. You may transfer to the BA once you have successfully completed the diploma. n Developed by Royal Holloway, a recognised centre of excellence in teaching and research. n Offers a structured route to the past in all its guises, from the birth of Western Christendom to the Civil Rights Movement in the USA. n Provides a greater understanding of history, trains you to think critically, assess evidence of many kinds and express ideas with precision.

BA English

12

38 years

BA History

12

38 years

BA French BA German BA Italian BA French and German BA German and Italian BA Italian and French BA Spanish and Latin American Studies

12 12 12 12 12 12 11

38 years 38 years 38 years 38 years 38 years 38 years 38 years n Developed by the Department of Spanish and Latin American Studies at Birkbeck, one of the highest ranking in the UK. n Combines study of the Spanish language with aspects of Spanish and Latin American culture from the medieval period to the present. n You will gain skills in reading, writing and speaking Spanish. n Developed by Birkbeck, one of the highest ranking Philosophy departments in the UK. n Covers a range of subjects including the meaning of existence and reality; knowledge and belief; mind, thought, reason and logic; truth and meaning; and the ethical and aesthetic values of goodness and beauty. n The Diploma is an award in its own right. You may transfer to the BA once you have successfully completed the diploma. n Developed by Heythrop, a specialist College of theology and philosophy within the University of London. n The University of London BD is one of the oldest and most prestigious BD degrees in the world. n Covers a range of topics including philosophical approaches to religion as well as more ministry-oriented topics such as liturgical studies. n The Certificates and Diploma are qualifications in their own right. You may transfer to the BD once you have completed a Certificate or Diploma. n Developed by Royal Holloway, a recognised centre of excellence in teaching and research. n Provides an opportunity to study a range of interrelated options in French, German and Italian languages, linguistics, literature, society and thought. n You will gain skills in reading, writing and speaking French, German and Italian.

Diploma in Philosophy BA Philosophy

4 10

15 years 38 years

Certificate of Higher Education in Theology/ Certificate of Higher Education in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics Diploma of Higher Education in Theology Bachelor of Divinity

4

15 years

8 12

25 years 38 years


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'I think employers are conscious of how valuable a critical arts degree is in creating forwardthinking and capable employees. In my case, the literary and legal disciplines have very interesting and useful intersections.' Jackie Shapiro

Profile: Jackie Shapiro | BA English graduate and 150th Anniversary Prize Winner'I work part-time in a non-profit law organisation, assisting with legal policy related committee work. I think employers are conscious of how valuable a critical arts degree is in creating forward-thinking and capable employees. In my case, the literary and legal disciplines have very interesting and useful intersections. I think that the skills you learn in an English degree, such as language-based critical analysis, strong writing skills, quick reading skills, etc are all enormously helpful in any arts or humanities based work context. Studying works written by some of the finest academic minds in history inevitably broadens out your own thinking. The course teaches you so much about the formal craft of literature specifically but still maintains an inter-disciplinary approach with other social theories and historicistbased literary criticism. With this in mind, the course helped me to develop a lot of my own views about literary, social and cultural issues. I think that with a degree like this, you may start off ingesting other peoples viewpoints, but you come out with a strong sense of your own ideas and an understanding of where you fit in intellectually, within a much wider sphere of societys academic, philosophical and ideological debates.' Jackie works part-time in a non-profit law organisation


Academic direction: the Lead CollegesThe programmes in Humanities are delivered academically by four University of London Colleges. The four Colleges are: Birkbeck, Goldsmiths, Heythrop and Royal Holloway.

BirkbeckSince 1823, Birkbeck has forged its own path in higher education, reaching out to people traditionally excluded by other universities. Birkbeck is unique in its special mission to enable mature students to gain higher education qualifications via part-time study. Today, Birkbeck is ranked among the leading UK university institutions for its excellence in research in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. Offers academic direction for the following External study programmes: Philosophy; Spanish and Latin American Studies.

GoldsmithsGoldsmiths is all about the freedom to experiment, to think differently, to be an individual. Founded in 1891, the College brings creative and unconventional approaches to subjects in the arts, humanities and social sciences, with a strong emphasis on the highest academic standards of teaching and research. Offers academic direction for the following External study programme: English.

HeythropHeythrop College was established in 1614 for the education of English Jesuit students. The College became a non-grant receiving School of the University in 1970, and in 1971 was granted a Royal Charter establishing it as one of the Colleges of the Federal University of London. Its current campus is in Kensington Square in London. Heythrop is one of the specialised colleges of the University, teaching and researching in philosophy and theology. Offers academic direction for the following External study programme: Divinity/Theology/Philosophy, Religion and Ethics.

Royal HollowayRoyal Holloway enjoys an international reputation for the highest quality teaching and research across the sciences, arts and humanities. Since Queen Victoria presided over its grand opening ceremony in 1886, the College has continued to grow in size and status, building on the excellence of its scholarship. Royal Holloway is among the top research-led university institutions in the country with a world-class reputation for developing original research. Offers academic direction for the following External study programmes: Classical Studies; French; French and German; German; German and Italian; History; Italian; Italian and French.


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The award you receiveAs an External student you register with the University of London for a University of London award. The academic direction of your programme including the syllabus, assessment, learning resources and, where given, academic support is the responsibility of a particular College, or consortium of Colleges, of the University of London, known as the Lead College. Birkbeck, Goldsmiths, Heythrop and Royal Holloway act as the Lead Colleges for the programmes in this prospectus. When you graduate with a degree, diploma or certificate from the University of London you will be sent two documents - a final diploma (i.e. the parchment you receive on graduation) and a Diploma Supplement. The final diploma will indicate that you were registered with the University of London and awarded a University of London degree, and give the name of the Lead College which conducted the examinations. The University of London logo and signature of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of London are incorporated. The Diploma Supplement will describe the nature, level and content of the programme you successfully completed and include a transcript of courses taken and marks achieved, as well as the overall classification. It also provides further information about the role of the Lead College and method of study. It explains that there is no difference between the standards of University of London awards whether they are obtained by External study or face-to-face at a College of the University of London.


How you studySpecially produced study materialsThe cost of your study pack is included in your initial and continuing registration fees. The materials are specially produced for self-directed learning by University of London academics.

Study materials include:n Student Handbook containing

Flexible studyOur programmes offer you an alternative way of obtaining a prestigious degree or other qualification at a reasonable cost. The majority of our Humanities students study independently, taking full and active responsibility for organising their programme of study. For some programmes, additional educational support is available at local institutions, providing more formalised tuition and interaction with fellow students that this offers (please see page 10 for details).

You are examined to our high standardsExaminations are offered in over 180 different centres worldwide, usually in May. You can sit them locally, whenever you are ready. You will normally sit one threehour unseen written paper for each full unit you study. Please note: n Introduction to Italian Studies (BA Italian) is examined by essays and set work. n 'Introduction to ancient philosophy' and 'The birth of Christian Europe' (BA Classical Studies/BA History) are examined by a seen written paper. n The Group C double unit (BA History) is examined by an unseen written paper and a related dissertation of 10,000 words.

Time allocationIf you intend to obtain your degree or diploma in the minimum registration period you should be prepared to devote at least 15 hours per week on a regular basis to your studies. Support from your colleagues, family and friends is vitally important to your eventual success.

both academic advice and practical information on matters such as: study techniques, planning your studies, using the study materials, preparing for examinations, bookshops, libraries, contacts at the University, and a list of institutions offering tuition. n Subject guides for each unit studied. These guides introduce you to particular topics and offer advice on how to use textbooks in an organised and productive manner. n Examiners reports and past examination papers. Examiners reports provide an insight into how individual questions should have been tackled and outline common mistakes made by students in the past. Past papers enable you to practise for your examinations. n Regulations containing full details of important information such as syllabuses, programme structures, fees, how to enter for examinations and degree classification criteria. n The Arts Good Study Guide by Ellie Chambers and Andrew Northedge (Open University). n Textbooks. You will need to provide your own textbooks; these will form an important part of your study. You will be advised to buy some books, and there will be others you will need to refer to in a library. As far as possible, you should consider the facilities available locally to you, and how accessible books are likely to be, before registering as an External student.


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BA Classical Studies and BA History onlyThese programmes are offered online and are fully supported by a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The VLE is like a virtual classroom that the University uses to deliver the content of the BA programmes via the Internet. The VLE will allow you to: n access your study materials n take part in discussions/seminars with your tutor and other students n receive notices, seminar dates, project support and other programme-related information n ask questions regarding the administration of the programme n seek help for technical problems that you may encounter.

BA English onlyStudy supportTo support your studies, Goldsmiths offers an Essay Marking Scheme. For an extra fee you can send essays to Goldsmiths and receive advisory marks and feedback from members of academic staff. Goldsmiths also runs a Summer School for External and prospective students (please note: the Summer School will not take place in 2009, but will resume in 2010 with an enhanced model). The Summer School provides comprehensive introductions to course units, advice on study skills and exam preparation, information on library resources (including online materials), as well as a chance to meet other students from around the world and develop supportive contacts. In addition, Goldsmiths provides a programme of e-seminars (online classes) on a weekly basis between January and April for an additional fee. Led by academic tutors on a range of topics, e-seminars offer students a chance to discuss and debate their ideas as they prepare for the exams. Please see our website for the most up-to-date fee information. Registered students can obtain academic advice from the Programme Director in the Department of English at Goldsmiths. Although advice can be given quickly on most problems, the Programme Director cannot engage in active and regular contact, or in tuition.

BD, Certificate of Higher Education in Theology, Diploma of Higher Education in Theology and Certificate of Higher Education in Philosophy, Religion and EthicsFrom September 2009, these programmes will be supported by a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The VLE will allow you to: n access the online library n receive notices and other programme-related information n ask questions regarding the administration of the programme.

Library supportSenate House Library, University of London www.ull.ac.ukRegistered External students are entitled to use the above University Library. The Library charges for this service. For more information contact: Senate House Library University of London Malet Street London WC1E 7HU Tel: +44 (0)20 7862 8461/2 Fax: +44 (0)20 7862 8480 Email: [email protected]

Study supportThere are various ways in which you can engage in online networking and communication on the two BA programmes: n Online seminars regular, formal discussions that will be moderated by a tutor n Course tutor leads the online seminars and is available to support the course from the time you register through to the time of your examination n Peer to peer support you are encouraged to exchange ideas with fellow students on the course and to organise mutual support via email n Student cafe an informal space within the VLE where you can socialise.

Study materialsWhen you register we will send you: n a Student Handbook n a copy of the Regulations n The Arts Good Study Guide n Textbooks (for some courses) n CD-ROMs n Username and password to allow you to log on to the VLE.

Aural and oral examinations (Modern languages only)Students should be aware that permission to take aural/oral examinations at a centre other than London is dependent on the ability of the examination centre to make arrangements that are acceptable

to the University for the conduct of the examinations. If it is not possible to make an arrangement for you to take your aural/oral examination locally, you will be required to take these examinations in London and the written papers elsewhere in the UK or overseas.


Additional educational supportBelow is a list of institutions that offer tuition support. These institutions are not affiliated to the University in any way and we do not guarantee or comment on the standards of their teaching or service to students. For further information, including addresses of institutions of which the University is aware, please visit: On this website we provide a check list of questions to ask when you are considering the service an institution provides to its students. It is your responsibility to make sure that they provide what you are looking for, at an appropriate cost. If you do decide to enrol for tutorial support you must first apply and register with the University. Enrolment at a local institution is not the same as registration as an External student with the University of London. If you think you will want local tuition support we advise you to wait for confirmation from the University that you are eligible for the programme of your choice before enrolling at an institution and paying tuition fees.

www.londonexternal.ac.uk/ onlinesearch/institutions/index.jsp

Country/Institution Hong Kong University of Hong Kong Iran International University of Chabahar Malta St. Martin's Institute of Information Technology Nigeria International Providential Training Centre (IPTC) Singapore Stansfield College United Kingdom Benedictine SAC Birkbeck College Pathways to Philosophy

BA/Diploma in English

BA/Diploma in Philosophy

Theology programmes

Points to consider before enrolling with an institution:n Will there be a written contract

n Talk to students who are already

enrolled and get their opinions.n Compare its services and fees

between you and the institution when you enrol? If not, make sure you understand the terms and conditions that apply and your liability. n Check how you pay fees in one payment or in instalments and what the refund policy is if you cease studying for any reason.

with other institutions in the same locality (if any). For the full check list please visit:

www.londonexternal.ac.uk/checklist


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Hong Kong University of Hong Kong School of Professional and Continuing Educationn University of London External System

(Admissions Unit) Room 313, 3/F, Admiralty Centre 18 Harcourt Road n Tel: + 852 3761 1122 n Fax: + 852 2527 0489 n Email: [email protected] www.hkuspace.hku.hk

Iran International University of Chabaharn Teras-e-Behesht

Chabahar Free Trade and Industrial Zone, Chabahar n Tel: 00 98 0545 4444 401-5 n Fax: 00 98 0545 4444 401-5 n Email: [email protected] www.iuc.ac.ir

Malta St Martin's Institute of Information Technologyn Schembri Street

Singapore Stansfield Collegen 250/252 Middle Road

Birkbeck Collegen Faculty of Continuing Education

Singapore 188983n Tel: 00 65 6338 0300 n Fax: 00 65 6338 0400 n Email: [email protected] n www.stansfield.edu.sg

Hamrun HMR 08 n Tel: 00 356 21 235 451/ 222 691 n Fax: 00 356 21 232 630 n Email: [email protected] www.stmartins.edu

School of Arts and Cultural Studies 26 Russell Square London WC1B 5DQ n Tel: 020 7631 6604 n Fax: 020 7631 6686 n Email: [email protected] www.bbk.ac.uk/fce

Pathways to Philosophy United Kingdom Nigeria International Providential Training Centre (IPTC)n 13 Okesuna Street n International Society for Philosophers

Benedictine Study and Arts Centren 74 Castlebar Road

New Star Photo House Off Empire Bus Stop, Jibowu Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria n Tel: 00 234 1 763 3104/ 2723 n Email:

Ealing London W5 2DD n Tel: 020 8862 2156 n Fax: 020 8862 2133 n Email: [email protected] www.bsac.ac.uk

45 Wolseley Road Sheffield S8 0ZT n Tel: 0114 255 8631 n Fax: 0114 255 8632 n Email: [email protected] www.philosophypathways.com

[email protected]


Even a fool may be wise after the event. Homer, The Iliad

A welcome from Professor Ahuvia Kahane, Programme DirectorClassics is the study of the ancient Greek and Roman world in all its aspects. We deal with the history, literature, thought, art and archaeology of two closely connected civilisations, which at one time spread from the far north of Britain to the Sahara desert, and from the western tip of Spain to the Persian Gulf. The Classical world is an important part of our heritage and its effects can be seen all around us. Greece and Rome present us with a past world which has similarities to our own, but which was, at the same time, very different. A BA in Classical Studies will teach you about key aspects of these civilisations and equip you for further study of this fascinating field. The on-campus version of the BA in Classical Studies, on which the distance learning one is modelled, has had a long and successful history, producing excellent results over a number of years. Our range of staff expertise means that not only can we cover a huge range of historical and cultural periods and of different types of material, but also provide an insight into a range of approaches from the traditional to the most modern, all informed by the latest scholarship in the field. The Ancient World is a fascinating, varied and rewarding field of study. Join us by taking the Classical Studies degree and share our enthusiasm.


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BA Classical StudiesProgramme overviewBA Classical Studies offers an insight into the classical world. A world that gave us great works of literature, the Western philosophical tradition and a powerful artistic and architectural legacy. It also bequeathed cultural and political institutions and concepts such as democracy and imperialism that are still of major relevance today. Royal Holloway, University of London, is responsible for the academic development of the programme. The Department of Classics at Royal Holloway is rated in the top categories for teaching and research. Many members of staff are leading international experts in their field and all are active researchers.

StructureLevel 1: Foundation units (4 units) Eight half units n Introduction to Greek literature n n n n n n n

Introduction to Roman literature Introduction to ancient philosophy Greek history and the city-state Roman history and society: the Julio-Claudians The birth of Christian Europe Introduction to Greek archaeology Introduction to Roman art Level 2: Intermediate units (4 units)

Programme specifics Features of the degreen Many aspects of our lives relate n You will develop the facility to form

meaningfully to classical antiquity. By studying Classics we can understand many crucial aspects of our past, and in doing so will be better equipped to understand ourselves in the present. n The programme offers an education in a comprehensive range of disciplines. Through studying Classics, one can be a philosopher, a literary critic, an archaeologist and a historian. n You will learn how to analyse texts and artefacts closely, and to critically explore new ideas.

persuasive, structured arguments, to form an opinion and bring your critical facilities to bear on a range of issues. n The skills you will acquire framing the question, background research, argument, criticism, summary, presentation and so on will stand you in good stead outside of the academy, in the workplace. n This is an online programme, fully supported by a Virtual Learning Environment (please see page 9 for details).

Four full units chosen from n Homer n n n n n

Virgil Greek history to 322BC Augustus: propaganda and power Greek and Roman architecture Roman Britain Level 3: Advanced units (4 units)

Four full units chosen from n Greek drama n n n n n

From Nero to Hadrian: literature and society The dialogues of Plato Women in classical antiquity The Roman army Pompeii

Notes: 1. Not all units will necessarily be available in every year. 2. Students may substitute up to the equivalent of three full units with units from BA History as follows: Level 1 up to two Foundation units may be substituted with Foundation or Gateway units from BA History. Level 2 one Intermediate unit may be substituted with one Group A or Group B unit from BA History. Level 3 one Advanced unit may be substituted with one Group B unit from BA History.

3. You can apply to register for individual units of BA Classical Studies as an Occasional student. In order to register you must satisfy the entrance requirements for the degree. You pay a single fee for the unit(s) of your choice. Please note: Occasional students cannot accumulate passes and then apply to be awarded the degree.


Every one can master a grief but he that has it. Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing

A welcome from Dr Sarah Barnsley, Programme DirectorGoldsmiths is proud of its role as Lead College for the BA and Diploma in English programmes. Students who have taken these programmes worldwide have enjoyed their studies and benefited from the experience, and many have achieved excellent results. Studying for either of these programmes is a very rewarding but also demanding experience, requiring a major commitment. The BA and Diploma programmes are closely modelled on the programmes followed by full-time students at Goldsmiths. They share the same ethos, which requires you to pursue your own interests and preoccupations, using your initiative and thinking out problems for yourself. You will receive an excellent education in the discipline, and develop the ability to solve problems, do research and write reports in a creative, critical and disciplined manner attributes which will hold you in good stead in your chosen career path. You will also learn about some of the great literatures of the world in English, a worthwhile and pleasurable resource in its own right. If you give this programme your full commitment, you will develop new perspectives on the study and analysis of cultural work of many kinds. Many former students write to express their thanks for having studied English through the External System and their sense of achievement at having completed what can sometimes seem an arduous commitment. Many have found sources of excellence within themselves of which they were unaware before they began their studies, and continue to read widely in areas that they were not able to cover in their programmes. Some have found the programmes an ideal preparation and qualification for work in education or public services in their countries of origin. We hope you will give yourselves the same opportunities for personal development, preparing for future careers and for finding real pleasure in literary studies. We look forward to welcoming you onto one of our programmes.

www.londonexternal.ac.uk/humanities 15

BA and Diploma in EnglishProgramme overviewThe Department of English and Comparative Literature at Goldsmiths is one of the highest ranking English departments in the UK. It has a thriving research environment embracing traditional and new approaches to English studies, covering a wide range of interests in British, American and Irish literatures since the 16th century. The Department has particular research strengths in Renaissance, 18th-century, Irish and 20th-century literature and criticism. Members of staff publish widely and participate in the editing of such journals as Critical Quarterly, The Scriblerian and Women: A Cultural Review.

BA English structureFour compulsory foundation units n n n n

Explorations in literature I Explorations in literature II Approaches to text Renaissance comedy: Shakespeare and Jonson Eight optional advanced units

Group A/Period studies (at least four units must be chosen from this group)

Programme specifics Features of the degreen You will study a range of literary

n n

Literature of the later Middle Ages Renaissance and Restoration Augustans and Romantics Victorians Moderns

Features of the Diploman The Diploma will appeal to two

n n n

and other works written in different styles and periods; from this study you will develop an awareness of changing rhetorical techniques and effects, as well as greater knowledge of many literary works. n The study of English is concerned with questions of meaning, social behaviour and structure, as well as with problems of aesthetic and cultural value. Your work directs you not only towards a wide range of examples of writing but also towards greater awareness of moral and social questions, surrounding the techniques through which analysis and persuasion are achieved. n You will develop a broad range of skills, including general communicative competence as well as more technical skills of literary-critical analysis. n The key skills gained should provide a sound basis for a range of careers including the civil service, teaching, research, media and business. n Goldsmiths offers an Essay Marking Scheme, a Summer School and e-seminars (please see page 9 for further details).

different kinds of student. Those who would like a University of London award in English, but do not feel ready to commit themselves to studying for a full degree, and those who do not satisfy the Universitys entrance requirements for the degree. n The Diploma gives these students the opportunity to gain access to the degree if their Diploma studies are successful. n If you obtain the Diploma you may transfer your registration to the BA English and automatically be credited with the papers passed in the Diploma. In effect, you will go on to study the advanced units of the BA degree and will be able to complete it in a minimum of two further years. Please note that students registered for the BA English who pass the foundation units cannot be awarded the Diploma in English.

Group B/Period studies (at least three units must be chosen from this group) n n n n n n n n n n n n n n

Literary theory: Plato to Pater Varieties of language in conversation and literature Reading womens writing Shakespeare The novel Modern American literature Nineteenth-century American literature Drama since 1860 Irish literature in English from 1800 to the present day Empire and literature Postcolonial literatures in English Modern literary theory Romanticism Advanced personal study

Diploma in English structureFour compulsory units n

Explorations in literature I Explorations in literature II Approaches to text Renaissance comedy: Shakespeare and Jonson

Note: These awards are specifically concerned with the study of English literature. It is assumed that prospective students will already be fluent in spoken and written English e.g. an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall score of at least 6. The programme contains no element of training in language proficiency.

n n n


'History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illuminates reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life, and brings us tidings of antiquity.' Cicero

A welcome from Professor Gregory Claeys, Programme DirectorWelcome to the BA History by External study, which is delivered in partnership between Royal Holloway and the University of London External System. The BA History programme provides a range of units across the spectrum of historical development, designed to enable distance learners to achieve the same skills as College-based students of the University. No matter what units you choose, you will be working with well-trained and qualified tutors who have a well-established reputation and considerable teaching experience in the subjects you are taking. They will provide you with expert guidance as to how to embark on the course, use the reading list, work in the Virtual Learning Environment, and generally make the most out of the experience of studying online. They will help you to develop your enthusiasm for the subject, and to deepen your historical understanding. At the same time, they will try to draw from you a maximum effort to exert yourself and apply your existing skills in order to broaden your scope as an historian. This partnership entails a commitment on both sides to scholarly excellence, and to achieving mastery of the range of skills which makes a good historian. We look forward to working with you during your study, and wish you the best of luck from the outset.


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BA HistoryProgramme overviewIn the study of history we have a record of the infinite variety of human experiences, and in that record we can find ourselves. Through the study of history we can master and understand the past which is key to the understanding of the present. The value of history then, is that it teaches us what we have done and thus what we are, and possibly influence our future. Essentially history underpins what we are today. BA History offers a structured route to the past in all its guises from the birth of Western Christendom to the Civil Rights Movement in the USA, from Roman history and society to US foreign policy during the Cold War. The Department of History at Royal Holloway is rated in the top categories for teaching and research.

BA History structureLevel 1 (four units) Foundation units Two half units chosen from: n The material world: culture and environment in the last millennium n n

History and meanings State, society and the individual in the non-western world

Gateway units Three full units, or the equivalent, chosen from: Full units n The birth of western Christendom AD 300-1215 n

Programme specifics Features of the degreen The programme will give you a n The foundation level units provide an

Conflict and identity in the modern world from 1789 to the present day Republics, kings and people: the foundations of modern political culture The rich tapestry of life: A social and cultural history of Europe c.1500-1780

greater understanding of history, train you to think critically, assess evidence of many kinds and express ideas with precision. n The broad range of skills that you will learn while studying, all highly valued by employers, can be transferred to many different careers.

essential introduction to a variety of approaches, methods and subjects, an ideal platform for exploring the more specialist units of Levels 2 and 3. n This is an online programme, fully supported by a Virtual Learning Environment (please see page 9 for details).

n n

Half units n Introduction to Greek literature n n n

Introduction to Roman literature Introduction to ancient philosophy Greek history and the city-state Roman history and society: the Julio-Claudians The birth of Christian Europe Introduction to Greek archaeology Introduction to Roman art Level 2 (four units)

Level 2 and 3 optional units Group A full units n From nation state to multiple monarchy: British history, 1485-1649 n British history 1770-1990 n Modern times: international economic history c.1901-1990 n Homer n Virgil n Greek history to 322BC n Augustus: propaganda and power n Greek and Roman architecture Group B full units n The Crusades and the eastern Mediterranean 1095-1291 n Experience, culture and identity: womens lives in England 1688-c.1850 n Ethnicity, identity and citizenship in modern British life

n Modern political ideas n Roman Britain n Greek drama n From Nero to Hadrian:

n n n n

literature and society n The dialogues of Plato n Women in classical antiquity n The Roman army n Pompeii Group C double units n Blasphemy, irreligion and the English Enlightenment 1650-1720 n Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement in the USA n Politics and society in Palestine from c.1900 to 1948 n The clash of power and cultures: Sino-American relations during the Cold WarNote: not all units will necessarily be available in every year.

Two Group A units AND two Group B units chosen from the list opposite Level 3 (four units) Two Group B units AND one Group C double unit chosen from the list opposite


Modern languagesWhy study a modern language?There are many good reasons for choosing to study for a degree in a modern European language:n French, German, Italian and Spanish n you will also develop the incisiveness n the intellectual and personal

are key languages in Europe today, with an ever-strengthening role. As you advance towards the standard required for graduate status, you will inevitably acquire the ability to read, speak and write a European language accurately and with ease

which comes with appraising intellectual issues: with each essay you write, you exercise and refine your judgement n degree-level work gives you a firsthand familiarity with a European culture which will put you on a cosmopolitan wavelength in life and in your reading n exploration of another culture, past as well as present, is an enriching experience, giving historical perspective and enhanced moral, cultural, social and aesthetic vision

qualities which degree-level work in the humanities develops are in demand in the workplace. Graduates can expect to have achieved a broad range of transferable skills, communication skills and the ability to discriminate and analyse.

Studying a modern language as an External studentTypically, External students choosing to read for a modern language degree include people who:n acquired a sound knowledge of a

n are required to use a European

Important note:Students should be aware that permission to take aural/oral examinations at a centre other than London is dependent on the ability of the examination centre to make arrangements that are acceptable to the University for the conduct of the examinations. If it is not possible to make an arrangement for you to take your aural/oral examination locally, you will be required to take these examinations in London and the written papers elsewhere in the UK or overseas.

language at school (the equivalent of grade C at 'A' level), and who like the idea of deepening that knowledge in a systematic way n possess an intellectual curiosity and take a delight in exploring issues for themselves

language at work and want to develop their knowledge of it in order to know much more intimately the people and the culture behind it n suspect they might have talents which the system has not yet sufficiently acknowledged or developed and want to see for themselves what they are capable of n have in the past begun a language degree but for one reason or another had to give up n are qualified in other respects for full-time study but find that personal circumstances preclude that option.


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A welcome from Dr Emily Salines, Dr Ann White and Dr Jane Everson, Programme Directors, Royal HollowayTo be entrusted with serving the University of Londons External students of French, German and Italian is for us at Royal Holloway both a compliment and a privilege. A compliment which at the same time keeps us on our toes by requiring of us the highest academic standards. And a privilege because our External students in all their variety and large numbers prove themselves every year, as a body of exceptionally resolute and rewarding scholars, the equals academically of our students studying at Royal Holloway though often studying in less favourable circumstances. Our basic task as Programme Directors is to oversee and co-ordinate the academic specialists of our three departments in examining, in providing the degree programmes, as well as printed study materials, detailed Examiners reports, and other services for our External students. But support for the individual student is of no less concern to us. We are made daily conscious of the world-wide outreach demanded of us by our external family of students, as their queries of a practical or general academic nature arrive from home and overseas. Whilst distance does of course make face-to-face contact the exception rather than the rule, we try hard in our responses to these messages, and in other ways mentioned in these pages, to mitigate the feelings of isolation and detachment from centres of learning which can be a problem for External students robustly independent and enterprising as they usually are. We want, as far as lies within our power, to play our part in smoothing the path to graduation of the committed independent student of our disciplines seeking intellectual achievement, personal growth and any or all of the other advantages described in these pages. Thank you for considering what the External System has to offer. If you like what you see, we shall be delighted to welcome you, and we promise to do our best to remain by your side and to ensure that you are not disappointed.


We must never be afraid to go too far, for success lies just beyond. Marcel Proust


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BA FrenchProgramme overviewThe BA French offers the opportunity to explore a variety of aspects of French language and culture, from the principles of textual analysis to modern French dramatists, and from French theories of art and semiotics to critical perspectives on modern France. You will improve your command of the French language by developing your reading, writing, oral and aural skills. . Level 3 units allow you to specialise in subjects ranging from the novels of Zola to the philosophy of Rousseau.

BA French structureLevel 1 (four units) Core unit: n Translation 1 (half unit) AND Core Progression unit: n Written French 1 (full unit) AND five half units: n Principles of textual analysis n n n n

Introduction to narrative The linguistics of French 1 Crisis, nation, identity: perspectives on modern France Image and icon: reading the visual Level 2 (four units)

Programme specifics Features of the degreen You are not only expected to gain an

outstanding facility in reading, writing and speaking French, but also (and principally) a trained mind. Thus, you will be exercising and refining your abilities to assemble information, to appraise it, and to articulate your own conclusions by developing an independent and enterprising spirit. n The degree programme has a firm nucleus of practical work in the French language. Additionally, it

covers historical and analytical study of the French language from its origin to the present day, the literature of France from the earliest texts to the present and French social, political and economic institutions. n The Programme Director offers a marking service for essays at an additional cost. n The French Department at Royal Holloway produces a regular newsletter for External students.

Core unit: n Translation 2 (half unit) AND Core Progression unit: n Written French 2 (full unit) AND five half units: n Shaping fictions n n n n

Writing romance and desire The linguistics of French 2 Culture and ideology Staging the text Level 3 (four units)

Three core half units of practical language work: n Written French 3 n n

Spoken French 3 Advanced prose and translation 3

AND three half units chosen from: n The linguistics of French 3 n n n n

French medieval literature Literature of challenge: the French philosophes Love and society in the modern French novel Modern French dramatists

AND one full unit Special Subject chosen from: n Aspects of contemporary French n n n n n

Rousseau Baudelaire Zola Proust Medieval Occitan


BA GermanProgramme overviewThe BA German is a particularly rich programme of study. It offers the opportunity to explore a wide variety of aspects of German life and culture: literature of various genres from the eighteenth century to the present day, including works by some of the most celebrated European writers; the contribution made by German philosophers to European thought; and the historical changes which have taken place in the country from the early nineteenth century onwards. You will improve your command of the German language by developing your reading, writing, oral and aural skills. Through your studies of literature, philosophy and history you will learn to assimilate ideas, take a critical stance, assemble and review material, debate a case and present persuasive arguments. At Level 3, you can choose between methods of assessment, as up to two of the written examinations may be replaced by extended essays, written over the course of several months on a topic which particularly interests you. This allows you to research one or more aspects in depth and provides diversification from the standard examinations.

BA German structureLevel 1 (four units) One compulsory core unit of practical language work: n German language 1 (full unit) AND six half units: n Modern German history n n n n n

German essay Truth, language and art: key questions in the humanities Reading German literature Gender and the literary text I Gender and the literary text II Level 2 (four units)

Programme specifics Features of the degreen The programme comprises a n Level 1 is designed to provide a

One compulsory core unit of practical language work: n German language 2 (full unit) AND six half units: n Ideals and realities in German drama I n n n n n

range of interrelated options in German language, literature, history and thought. n In literature, you choose from a chronological range that extends from the 18th-century to the present day. The broad syllabus includes pathways in history and philosophy.

basic foundation in the subject. For flexibility, most of the subjects are rated as half units.

Ideals and realities in German drama II Narrative strategies in German prose fiction I Narrative strategies in German prose fiction II The Nazi movement and the German dictatorship Introduction to modern European philosophy Level 3 (four units)

One compulsory core unit of practical language work: n German language 3 (full unit) AND units to the value of three full units from the following list of half unit options: n Schillers drama (half unit) n n n n n n

German Romanticism in the European context (half unit) Racism and anti-Semitism (half unit) Vienna 18901910 (half unit) Literature and the Wende (half unit) German philosophy from Nietzsche to Habermas: the critique of modern culture (half unit) Goethe (half unit)


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It is nobler to declare oneself wrong than to insist on being right especially when one is right. Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra


BA ItalianProgramme overviewThe BA Italian offers the opportunity to explore a variety of aspects of Italian life and culture: literature from the Middle Ages to the present day (including selected cantos from Dante's Divine Comedy); Italian Renaissance art and iconography; and Italian linguistics and the evolution of the language. You will improve your command of the Italian language by developing your reading, writing, oral and aural skills. . Level 3 offers an increased level of choice over a wide range of topics and the Programme Director will be able, if required, to advise you on your selection of options.

BA Italian structureLevel 1 (four units) One compulsory core unit of practical language work: n Advanced Italian 1 (full unit) AND six optional half units chosen from the following: n Dante: Inferno n n n n n

Italian 19th-century literature: (the novel) Italian 20th-century literature 1: prose Italian 20th-century literature 2: drama Fascist fictions: cinema and literature 19221945 Introduction to Italian studies Italian culture and society 18601945 Level 2 (four units)

Programme specifics Features of the degreen In studying for this degree, you n You will learn a great deal about Italy,

n

are not just gaining a language and high-level linguistic skills, but you are also entering another civilisation and reading much of its most beautiful literature. n By coming to terms with Italys history and social institutions you will come face to face with one of the formative and most productive cultures of medieval and Renaissance Europe, which has had a profound influence on how we think and feel now.

its language, civilisation and literature. n You will also learn how to assemble information reliably, to evaluate information fairly and independently and how to express yourself in writing accurately, clearly and consistently.

One compulsory core unit of practical language work: n Advanced Italian 2 (full unit) AND six half units: n n n n n n

Dante: Purgatorio Italian Renaissance 1: Art and culture Italian Renaissance 2: Literature and society 13501550 Italian 19th- and 20th-century poetry Modern Sicily and the novels of Sciascia The politics and government of Republican Italy Level 3 (four units)

One compulsory core unit of practical language work including a 25-minute oral examination: n Advanced Italian 3 (full unit) AND four half units: n Essay in Italian n n

Dante: Paradiso Boccaccio and the Renaissance novella

There are three kinds of intelligence: one kind understands things for itself, the other appreciates what others can understand, the third understands neither for itself nor through others. This first kind is excellent, the second good, and the third kind useless. Niccolo Machiavelli, Il Principe

Modern Italian experimental narrative AND one full unit Special Subject from: n n n n

Ariosto: Orlando furioso Modern critical theory and contemporary Italian poetry An extended essay on an approved topic


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Angel of the Renaissance, Melozzo da Forli (1438 - 1494).


BA French and GermanBA French and German structureLevel 1 (four units) Two compulsory core full units: n Written French 1 n

Level 3 (four units) Two compulsory core half units: n Written French 3 n

German language 1

Spoken French 3

AND two French half unit options from the following: n Principles of textual analysis n n n n

AND one compulsory core unit of practical language work: n German language 3 AND EITHER two French half unit options from the following: n The linguistics of French 3 n n n n

Introduction to narrative The linguistics of French 1 Crisis, nation, identity: perspectives on modern France Image and icon: reading the visual

French medieval literature 3 Literature of challenge: the French philosophes Love and society in the modern French novel Modern French dramatists

AND two German half unit options from the following: n Modern German history n n n n

Truth, language and art: key questions in the humanities Reading German literature Gender and the literary text I Gender and the literary text II Level 2 (four units)

OR one French full unit option from the following: n Aspects of contemporary French n n n n n


Two compulsory core full units: n Written French 2 n

German language 2

AND two additional French half unit options from the following: n Shaping fictions n n n n

AND two German half unit options from the following: n Schillers drama n n n n n n

German Romanticism in the European context Racism and anti-Semitism Vienna 18901910 Literature and the Wende German philosophy from Nietzsche to Habermas: the critique of modern culture Goethe (half unit)

Writing romance and desire The linguistics of French 2 Culture and ideology Staging the text

AND two German half unit options from the following: n Ideals and realities in German drama I n n n n n

Ideals and realities in German drama II Narrative strategies in German prose fiction I Narrative strategies in German prose fiction II The Nazi movement and the German dictatorship Introduction to modern European philosophy


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BA German and ItalianBA German and Italian structureLevel 1 (four units) Two and a half compulsory core units: n German language 1 (full unit) n n n n

Modern Sicily and the novels of Sciascia The politics and government of Republican Italy Level 3 (four units)

Advanced Italian I (full unit) Dante: Inferno (half unit)

AND two additional German half unit options from the following: n Modern German history n Truth, language and art: key questions in the humanities n n n

Two compulsory core units: n German language 3 (full unit) n

Advanced Italian 3 (full unit)

AND two additional German half unit options from the following: n Schillers drama n n n n n n

Reading German literature Gender and the literary text I Gender and the literary text II Italian 19th-century literature: (the novel) Italian 20th-century literature 1: prose Italian 20th-century literature 2: drama Introduction to Italian studies Italian culture and society 18601945 Fascist fictions: cinema & literature 19221945 Level 2 (four units)

German Romanticism in the European context Racism and anti-Semitism Vienna 18901910 Literature and the Wende German philosophy from Nietzsche to Habermas: the critique of modern culture Goethe (half unit)

AND one half unit in Italian from the following: n n n n n n

AND EITHER two additional Italian half unit options from the following: n Essay in Italian n n n

Dante: Paradiso Boccaccio and the Renaissance novella Modern Italian experimental narrative Ariosto: Orlando furioso Modern critical theory and contemporary Italian poetry An extended essay on an approved topic

Two and a half compulsory core units: n German language 2 (full unit) n n

OR one full unit from: n n n

Advanced Italian 2 (full unit) Dante: Purgatorio (half unit)

AND two additional German half unit options from the following: n Ideals and realities in German drama I n n n n n

Ideals and realities in German drama II Narrative strategies in German prose fiction I Narrative strategies in German prose fiction II The Nazi movement and the German dictatorship Introduction to modern European philosophy Italian Renaissance 1: Art and culture Italian Renaissance 2: Literature and society 13501550 Italian 19th- and 20th-century poetry

AND one half unit in Italian from the following: n n n


'I'm proud of myself. I got a 2:1 by home studying. Not only that but I got a full-time job within six months of finishing.' Christine Long

Profile: Christine Long | BA French graduate, UKA French degree was a natural progression for me since Id lived in France for four years and both my children were born there. Id left school after A levels, believing at the time that I was incapable of studying at that level, especially as no-one in my family had ever been to university. The children were now both at senior school and needing me a little less. It was the right time and I had something to prove to myself. On average, I think I only did two and a half hours a day, but thats a 7 day week. Some days the hours would fly by, some days I would struggle to get an hour on the clock. Some days, if I felt like it (or didnt feel like it!) I would do less but then I would see the overall hours drop and I would be spurred on to catch up. I'm proud of myself. I got that you learn by studying a 2:1 by home studying. discipline, the power of Not only that but I got a analysis, prioritizing etc. full-time job within six After five years of living months of finishing. Not bad with my precious books for a 46-year-old who had and studying some of the been out of the workplace worlds best literature I feel for 22 years. My degree was Im very lucky to be in an my passport into full-time academic environment now. employment. I hadnt been out to work since I moved Christine is Journals to France in 1984, so I think Assistant at the you can see the value of academic publisher my degree not only as an Palgrave Macmillan academic qualification in itself but also as proof of skills


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BA Italian and FrenchBA Italian and French structureLevel 1 (four units) Compulsory core units: n Advanced Italian I (full unit) n n

Level 3 (four units) Compulsory core units: n Advanced Italian 3 (full unit) n n

Dante: Inferno (half unit) Written French 1 (full unit)

Spoken French 3 (half unit) Written French 3 (half unit)

AND one half unit in Italian chosen from: n Italian 19th-century literature: (the novel) n n n n n

Italian 20th-century literature 1: prose Italian 20th-century literature 2: drama Introduction to Italian studies Italian culture and society 18601945 Fascist fictions: cinema & literature 19221945

AND EITHER two additional Italian half unit options from the following: n Essay in Italian n n n

Dante: Paradiso Boccaccio and the Renaissance novella Modern Italian experimental narrative Ariosto: Orlando furioso Modern critical theory and contemporary Italian poetry An extended essay on an approved topic

OR one full unit from: n n n

AND two additional French half units from: n Principles of textual analysis n n n n

Introduction to narrative The linguistics of French 1 Crisis, nation, identity: perspectives on modern France Image and icon: reading the visual Level 2 (four units)

AND EITHER two additional French half units from: n The linguistics of French 3 n n n n

French medieval literature 3 Literature of challenge: the French philosophes Love and society in the modern French novel Modern French dramatists

Compulsory core units: n Advanced Italian 2 (full unit) n n

Dante: Purgatorio (half unit) Written French 2 (full unit) Italian Renaissance 1: Art and culture Italian Renaissance 2: Literature and society 13501550 Italian 19th- and 20th-century poetry Modern Sicily and the novels of Sciascia The politics and government of Republican Italy Shaping fictions Writing romance and desire The linguistics of French 2 Culture and ideology Staging the text

OR one full unit: special subject n Aspects of contemporary French n n n n n

AND one half unit in Italian chosen from: n n n n n


AND two additional French half units from: n n n n n


A welcome from Dr Carmen Fracchia, Programme DirectorThe team at the School of Languages, Linguistics and Culture, Birkbeck College is proud to accept the privilege and the challenge of providing the academic direction of the BA Spanish and Latin American Studies for External students. The confidence placed in us gives us the opportunity to work with so many independent and academically motivated people across the world who seek intellectual achievement while undertaking the study of this subject. Both the degree structure and syllabus are designed to guarantee adequate progression in your studies, while at the same time offering flexibility in choice of units, depending on your particular interests within the field of study (Spain, Latin America, the Modern or the Early Modern, Medieval periods, Language). We offer you a dynamic and varied study programme. Language is the central component of the syllabus and you will be expected to reach an advanced level of competence in order to complete the degree. Once you have reached this level, you have the opportunity of increasing your language skills by taking the unit in translation and interpreting. Our Department of Spanish and Latin American Studies is one of the most renowned of its kind in the UK, due to its innovative, world-class research. All tutors participating in the BA are research-active academics whose expertise cover a wide range of specialisations within the area of Spain and Latin America past and present, to include language, literary and cultural studies and the visual arts. Our degree units are periodically revised and updated, including the four language units. Rigorous quality controls ensure that high academic standards are maintained. At Birkbeck College, our internal undergraduates are also reading for their degrees on a part-time basis, many of them combining this with a full working life and family commitments. Some of them embark on a BA degree for the first time, others return to an educational environment after years of being away from it. Our programme is specially designed for this particular type of learning experience and our tutors are well qualified to carry it through. We are very much aware that distance learning may pose these, and a series of other challenges studying alone or the difficulty of accessing course materials, for example and they are all given full consideration in the structure, design and assessment of the degree for External students. As always, the BA Spanish and Latin American Studies programme extends a warm welcome to students from every walk of life who have an interest in the language, history and culture of the Hispanic world. Whether you have decided to enter higher education with a view to enhancing your career prospects, fulfilling a lifelong ambition, or simply because you enjoy learning, we are confident you will find your studies with us a rewarding experience.


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BA Spanish and Latin American StudiesProgramme overviewThe BA Spanish and Latin American Studies allows you to follow subjects in the broadest possible range of fields (historical and geographical). Alternatively, you may wish to concentrate on particular periods, or pay greater or lesser attention to Latin America as opposed to Spain. All students are recommended to take at least one option in the Golden Age (sixteenth and seventeenth centuries), since this is the great period of Spanish literature, equivalent to the Elizabethan period in English literature. It is assumed that you are starting the degree with a knowledge of the Spanish language (written and spoken) equivalent to A-level standard. Knowledge of another foreign language is useful, but what is really needed is the ability to think critically about the way language is used, whether the language is your mother tongue or not. You are not expected to have any previous knowledge of Spanish or Latin American literature and culture, but it is assumed that you enjoy reading books, watching films and thinking about cultural issues, you are open to new ideas, and you like to form your own opinions.

BA Spanish and Latin American Studies structureLevel 1 (four units) n

Spanish language 1*

AND three further introductory units from the list below Level 2 (four units) n

Spanish language 2

AND three units taken from the list of further introductory units and specialised options below (the selection may include one further introductory unit which was not offered at Level 1) Level 3 (three units) n

Spanish language 3

AND two further units from the list of specialised options below not previously offered at Level 2

Programme specifics n

Further introductory units: Introduction to medieval literature Tradition and innovation in Golden Age prose and drama Introduction to 19th- and 20th-century narrative The essay in Latin America Specialised options: n n n n n n Emphasis is also placed on ways of

Features of the degreen The programme combines study

of the Spanish language with aspects of Spanish and Latin American culture from the medieval period to the present day. n Particular attention is paid to the ways in which different cultural forms relate to their historical context. n Some of the units include art, film, and political and historical writing, alongside literary texts.

reading texts, in order to develop students analytical and critical skills. n A Language Marking Service is available for students studying this programme. Full details of the service, together with practice exercises for each of the four language components offered on the degree, are circulated to all registered students.

n n n

Medieval love poetry The struggle of modernity in 20th-century Spanish culture Literature and the nation in Latin America Spanish language 4 Women in the prose and drama of the Golden Age Spanish women writers and the canon Modernity and the Avant-Garde in Latin America Culture and society in modern Spain Exhibiting the nation in Latin America

Important note: Applicants to the BA Spanish and Latin American studies are strongly advised to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the deadline date as the first assessed assignment must be submitted by 15 January.

n n n n

Sanity may be madness but the maddest of all is to see life as it is and not as it should be. Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quijote

* Students who demonstrate a native or near-native speaker competence in Spanish at the entrance test (see page 66) will be required to replace Spanish language 1 with either a further introductory unit or a specialised option.


Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. Plato

A welcome from Professor Samuel Guttenplan, Programme DirectorPhilosophy has a reputation for both difficulty and depth. It is renowned for pursuing questions into the thickest undergrowth of argument and counter-argument, and many think of philosophical questions as having a special and even mysterious profundity. While there is certainly a basis to this reputation, it has often been exaggerated. There are features of the study of philosophy in the analytic tradition the tradition within which our programme is located that make it a particularly good training for virtually any professional career. For central to the study of philosophy are the abilities to reason and to assess the reasoning of others. These skills transfer easily and naturally to such different areas as management and law. Moreover, the study materials for the programme have been designed with the needs of students firmly in mind. They should enable you to acquire without experiencing undue difficulty the skills and knowledge needed to engage in philosophy. That said, there can be no doubt that there is a certain excitement that comes with the study of philosophy. Many philosophical questions were first asked in one form or another thousands of years ago, others are as recent as the latest developments in the arts and sciences. But whether ancient or recent, these questions are fundamental to human existence. Putting the above points together, I am confident that, in welcoming you into the programme, I am welcoming you into a study that is useful and fascinating at the same time. A word about the Diploma in Philosophy: Many prospective students are attracted by the reputation of philosophy, but are uncertain as to its difficulty and content. The Diploma makes it possible for someone to see what is involved in philosophical investigation without immediately being committed to the longer period of study required for the BA. In particular, the Introduction to Philosophy unit, which is special to the Diploma, is intended to provide a serious, yet gentle, initiation into the subject. My hope, indeed expectation, is that the Diploma will stimulate a thirst for philosophy that only further study will satisfy. Moreover, in sharing three of the four units with the BA, the Diploma allows a student to see what philosophy is about, acquire an award, and amass credit towards further study. Whether as a BA or Diploma student, I hope you will profit from and enjoy your studies with us.

Statue of Plato (Academy of Athens, Greece).


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BA and Diploma in PhilosophyProgramme overviewThe study of philosophy is the study of questions about knowledge, moral value, art and beauty, mind, and world. These questions are fundamental to human existence in one form or another they are bound to occur to anyone who thinks about the world and our place in it and debates about their answers have gone on for more than two thousand years. Philosophy is therefore a subject at once profound, exciting, and challenging. One has to learn how to interpret the contributions to these debates made by, among others, Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Locke, Hume and Kant, as well as those of contemporary philosophers. Moreover, in the analytic tradition to which the course belongs, great emphasis is placed not merely on interpreting and understanding, but also on participating. Students are expected to be able to assess the arguments of others, and, no less importantly, to be able to formulate their own reasoned answers to various of the questions that figure in the course. Birkbeck's Philosophy Department has an international reputation for research excellence. Through their writings and editorial work, Birkbeck academics are significant contributors to contemporary philosophical debates.

BA Philosophy structureFive compulsory units n n n n n

Logic Epistemology Greek philosophy: Plato and the Pre-Socratics Ethics: historical perspectives Modern philosophy: Descartes, Locke, Berkeley and Hume Metaphysics Methodology Greek philosophy: Aristotle Ethics: contemporary perspectives Modern philosophy: Spinoza, Leibniz and Kant Continental philosophy from Hegel Philosophy of mind Philosophy of language Philosophy of Kant The philosophies of Frege, Russell and Wittgenstein Political philosophy Aesthetics Symbolic logic Philosophy of science Philosophy of religion Post-Aristotelian philosophy Medieval philosophy Indian philosophy Philosophy of mathematics

AND three further units from the following: n n n n n

AND two optional units from the following:

Programme specifics Features of the degreen The programme provides a

n n

Features of the Diploman The Diploma is intended to appeal

n n n n n n n n n n n n

thorough grounding in the central areas of philosophy. It introduces historical and contemporary issues in the subject and encourages you to make connections between the ideas and arguments that inform philosophical debates. n You will study a range of philosophical works from classical times to the present day. Optional units enable you to focus on areas that may be of particular interest such as political philosophy, aesthetics, philosophies of mind and language, Kant, among others (please see degree structure in right-hand column). n You will develop an awareness of how both the context and terms of the philosophical debate change in numerous ways from one generation to another and will acquire a broad range of skills including the ability to analyse complex ideas and the capacity for original thought. n The subject guides for the BA Philosophy are published by Oxford University Press.

to two different kinds of students. Firstly, those who want to learn more about philosophy and would like a University of London award in the subject, but do not feel ready to commit themselves to a full degree. Secondly, those who do not satisfy the Universitys entrance requirements for the BA degree. n The Diploma gives such students the opportunity to gain access to the degree if their Diploma studies are successful. n You have to complete four units to be awarded the Diploma in Philosophy. n If you obtain the Diploma you may transfer your registration to the BA and automatically be credited with three of the papers passed. The 'Introduction to philosophy' unit is for Diploma students only, and cannot be credited towards the degree. In effect, you will go on to study the further units of the BA and will be able to complete it in a minimum of two further years. n The subject guide for the Diploma unit 'Introduction to philosophy' is published by Wiley-Blackwell.

Diploma in Philosophy structureOne compulsory unit n

Introduction to philosophy Logic Epistemology Greek philosophy: Plato and the Pre-Socratics Ethics: historical perspectives Modern philosophy: Descartes, Locke, Berkeley and Hume

AND three further units from the following: n n n n n


Short course: 'Introduction to philosophy'If you would like to see for yourself what the study of philosophy involves, but do not wish to commit to the Diploma or BA degree, you can now register for the 'Introduction to philosophy' unit as a short course. There are no formal entrance requirements, although you are required to provide proof of competence in English which is acceptable to the University.

Progression to the Diploma in PhilosophyIf you succeed in getting a pass mark of 50 or above in the 'Introduction to philosophy' short course you will be considered for registration on the Diploma in Philosophy and will be credited with the pass in the 'Introduction to philosophy' unit. Please write to the External System Student Registry (for address details please see page 68) if you wish to progress onto the Diploma. External students wishing to progress to the Diploma in Philosophy after the 'Introduction to philosophy' short course will be required to pay the Diploma in Philosophy initial registration fee (414), as they will be starting a new registration on a new structure. You will not have to pay another application handling fee, nor will you have to pay a continuing registration fee upon registering for the Diploma in Philosophy (please see page 82 for short course fees).

a new application for entry onto the BA. As this unit does not feature in the BA degree, you cannot have this pass credited towards the degree.

Certificates of Registration and AchievementUpon registering for the short course, you will receive a Certificate of Registration. Upon successfully passing the 'Introduction to philosophy' short course, you will receive a Certificate of Achievement.

Study materialsUpon registration, you will be sent the following materials: n Student Handbook. n Reading Philosophy subject guide for Introduction to philosophy. n Past exam papers and Examiners' reports. n Regulations.

SyllabusAn introduction to the subject matter and methods of philosophy by means of a study of certain fundamental philosophical problems and texts. Included here will be: the problem of free-will and determinism, the nature of the self, arguments for equality and the foundations of knowledge. You will sit a three-hour unseen written paper, usually in May.

Transfer to the degree Application and registrationTo apply, please use the standard Humanities application form in the centre of this prospectus. You will have a registration period of two years. If, having completed the 'Introduction to Philosophy' short course, and you have the requisite entrance requirements for the BA Philosophy degree, you will be permitted to submit

I have been Programme Director for the External programme in Philosophy for over 10 years, a task I undertake on behalf of the Birkbeck School of Philosophy. Though the work is often demanding, especially given my commitment to the Birkbeck School itself and to my own philosophical writing, it

is tremendously rewarding. Aside from the growth of the programme in these past 10 years, what is especially important to me is the enthusiasm of External philosophy students, as well as their success. It is very difficult to study on your own, but the number and quality of those finishing

their BA and Diploma degrees testifies to the value of the programme, and the emails I receive from students even more directly indicate just how much pleasure can come from studying philosophy'. Professor Samuel Guttenplan


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'I have recognised that philosophy now provides a platform and methodology for almost everything I do at work and in life.' Justice Anthony Gafoor

Profile: Justice Anthony Gafoor | BA Philosophy graduate, Trinidad and TobagoI am currently the Chairman of the Tax Appeal Court of Trinidad and Tobago. After pursuing a legal career which included several years of study with London University as an internal student and in practice as a barrister, I returned to my homeland of Trinidad where I accepted a position on the Bench. I was prompted to continue my studies with London University External System, not only because of my positive experiences as a student in London but also because I have always found the University to be well-organised and very concerned about student welfare issues. I commenced studies for a degree in Divinity because of my involvement in religious matters and progressed naturally and almost seamlesssly to a degree in Philosophy because it helped me to further and deepen my knowledge of the invaluable role this discipline played in religious affairs as well as helping one to think more logically and constructively. In fact, many world leaders in politics and business have found a background and knowledge of philosophy essential in grappling with challenges to which there are no obvious or easy answers. With regard to philosophy, it is not the easiest of disciplines to study but it is enormously rewarding, much like attempting to fill in a crossword puzzle: you have to think hard before you come up with a range of possible solutions. Time and other demands of a domestic and work-based nature are always challenges that any student faces: my experience was no exception. But the material despatched efficiently through London University is of first class quality and in the end any such challenges paled into insignificance in comparison with the sense of achievement, even triumph, which I experienced upon completing each year of the degree. I have recognised that philosophy now provides a platform and methodology for almost everything I do at work and in life. Justice Anthony Gafoor is Chairman of the Tax Appeal Court of Trinidad and Tobago.


A welcome from Dr Elizabeth Burns, Programme DirectorSome estimates suggest that about 85% of the worlds population have some kind of religious belief. Religious belief can give a sense of ultimate meaning and purpose, function as a source of values, and provide rituals and ceremonies which supply a structure for living and help to make sense of some of the most important events in human life. Such belief is often reflected in the cultural and political lives of communities, and can sometimes be a source of conflict between both individuals and societies. The study of religious belief is therefore very important, both because it can help you to understand the beliefs of others and the ways in which those beliefs have shaped societies, but also because it offers you an opportunity to consider your own answers to questions which are of fundamental human concern whether you are an active member of a faith community, or have no faith at all. From this year, the External Systems Theology programmes have been revised and updated. The new Certificate programme consists of four modules which will provide you with a solid grounding in Christian Theology and a good basis for further study, should you choose to continue. At the higher levels (the Diploma and the BD), you have a wider choice of modules. For example, you can choose whether or not to study ei

humanities prospectus

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