University of Limerick - Modern Language Studies

Course Overview/Contact:

This full-time MA in Modern Language Studies has been designed specifically with the aim of providing students who already have a background in Spanish, French or German at undergraduate level with a comprehensive foundation on the methodologies and critical issues surrounding language studies and the cultural and social contexts of the chosen language. The programme caters for students interested in preparing for doctoral study as well as for those wishing to pursue careers in areas outside academia, such as government, NGOs, and business. The programme places particular emphasis on the acquisition of transferable skills such as language pedagogy, translation studies, and linguistic markets.

Programme Aims

• To develop students' understanding of key aspects of the cultural life of German, French and Spanish-speaking countries today.
• To enable students to analyse and interpret German, French or Spanish-language and culture within a broader European context.
• To provide students with the necessary skills to communicate in oral and written German, French or Spanish with a high degree of accuracy and confidence.
• To foster students' ability to conduct independent research in all fields relating to German, French or Spanish languages and cultures
• To equip students with both the linguistic and conceptual skills to operate in an increasingly multi-cultural environment in Ireland and abroad.
• To conceptualise larger research projects (e.g. at PhD level) and to participate in a broader intellectual community of postgraduate research and learning.

Contact
Course Director: Dr Frédéric Royall
School of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics
Tel:  353-61-233495 or
Email:frederic.royall@ul.ie

Graduate Profile:

Students graduating from this course will be equipped to follow a number of career paths. These include: teaching at various levels (including university), school management, business, publishing, materials' development, adult education and support, further study to PhD level.

Programme Content:

Autumn Semester	Spring Semester
Choose ONE of these modules (all modules 9 ECTS CU6011 Language and Culture CU6031 Comparative Literature:  Cultural Constructions of the Past CU6041 Literature of Migration CU6051 Literature & Cultural Theory  LI6011 Materials Development for Language Teaching LP5001 Language Pedagogy 1 BLOCK B Choose ONE of these research modules (all modules 3 ECTS) RM6011 Research Methodologies in Applied Language Studies OR RM6021 Research Methodologies in Comparative Literature & Cultural Studies	Choose ONE of these modules (all modules 9 ECTS) CU6002 Textual Constructions of Cultural Identity CU6012 Utopian Theory & Texts CU6021 Culture and the Market LI5922 Language Systems 2 LI6002 ICT & Language Studies LI6012 Linguistics for Language Teaching BLOCK B (All modules 3 ECTS) CU6032 Thesis Writing: Language, Literature & Cultural Studies
Choose ONE module from Block C and ONE module from Block D. Student's Block C module and Block D module must be in the same language area and students must have met the entry requirements for their chosen area.
BLOCK C (all modules 9 ECTS) FRENCH FR5101 – The French Language Today GERMAN GE6011 – Advanced Language Skills 1: Analysing Media Texts SPANISH SP6001 – Spanish in the Contemporary World	BLOCK C (all modules 9 ECTS) FRENCH FR5102 – Theory and Practice of Translation (French) GERMAN GE6012 Advanced Language Skills 2: Analysing Visual Texts: Films, Visual, Art, Architecture SPANISH SP6002 – Theory and Practice of Translation (Spanish)
BLOCK D (all modules 9 ECTS) FRENCH FR5111 – Contemporary France 1 OR FR5131 – Second Language Acquisition OR FR5161 – The Question of the Universal in Modern & Contemporary Literature of French Expression GERMAN GE6021 – Irish-German Cultural Connection OR GE6001 German Culture in Europe 1: Transcultural Theory and Textual Practice OR GE6031 – The German Language Today SPANISH SP6011 – Sociolinguistics of Spanish OR SP6021 –Cultural Transitions: Literature and Film in Spain (1970s – 1990s)	BLOCK D (all modules 9 ECTS) FRENCH FR5112 – Issues in Contemporary France OR FR5152 - Modern French Language Literary and Cultural Production GERMAN GE6002 German Culture in Europe 2 OR GE6022 German Language in Education: Policy and Practice SPANISH SP6012 – Issues in Contemporary Spain and Latin America OR SP6022 – The Culture of Memory in Spain and Latin America: Representing Horror
Total Credits:  30	Total Credits:  30

Content of modules can be found by using the search option on the book of modules.  More detailed information on the programme structure is available on webpage http://www3.ul.ie/llcc/ma-in-mls/

Entry Requirements:

At least an undergraduate degree at 2.2 honours level (or international equivalent) in an appropriate subject (i.e. with a substantial component of French, Spanish or German Studies). (Primary degree: Level 8 - National Qualifications Authority of Ireland).  Applicants' language skills should be to a level corresponding to a minimum second class Honours degree in the language. An interview may form part of the selection process for all applicants. This will be done in person if possible or alternatively via Skype or video conferencing where the candidate is not available and cannot attend an interview.

Candidates who do not meet these criteria may apply for admission to the MA in Modern Language Studies programme as recognised prior learning may be taken into account. The admission of such applicants would be exceptional and would be subject to the approval of the Course Director and the Course Board.  Places on the programme will be offered on the basis of the above, viz. qualifications, performance and interview, language proficiency level (if applicable).

Please note that places on the programme are offered on the basis of all the above, viz. qualifications, performance at interview, language proficiency level (if applicable) as well as candidates' references given in the application form

What to Include with your Application

• Qualification transcripts and/or certificates (including certified English translations if applicable)
• English language qualification(s) (if English is not your first language) 
• A one-page supporting statement
• A copy of your birth certificate (long document)
• An application fee will apply from January 2011 to all postgraduate programmes.  Please see Frequently Asked Questions for more information on the application fee. 

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of either prior successful completion of a degree qualification taught through the medium of English or meet one of the criteria below (no longer than two years prior to application):

Acceptable English Language qualifications include the following:

• Matriculation examinations from European countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved
• Irish Leaving Certificate English –Ordinary Level Grade D or above
• TOEFL – 580 (paper based) or 90 (internet based)
• IELTS – Minimum score of 6.5 with no less than 6 in any one component.
• English Test for English and Academic Purposes (ETAPP) – Grade C1
• GCE ‘O’ level English Language/GCSE English Language – Grade C or above
• University of Cambridge ESOL –Certificate of Proficiency in English - Grade C / Certificate in Advanced English Grade A
• GCE Examination Boards – Oxford Delegacy of Local Examinations – Grade C / Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate – School Certificate Pass 1-6 / University of London Entrance and School Examinations Council – School Certificate Pass 1-6

Results in examinations other than those listed above may also be accepted as meeting our English language requirements. Contact the International Education Division for advice.