Student Handbook - The School of Language, Linguistics and Film

challenge, the way in which they throw light on a society’s culture and history. It also means
learning what is specific to the medium: to understand the various visual ‘languages’
employed in cinema or the various forms of writing that can be found in novels, plays,
philosophical works, and so on. To study linguistics is to understand how language in
general, and particular languages, actually work, as distinct from using them in practice: how
languages have changed and are changing over time, how the study of language gives an
insight into culture, society, the workings of the human mind. These subjects can all be
difficult, but they are not mysterious, and all of them will help you develop your skills of
analysis and self-expression in ways that will benefit your career, even if you work in a
completely different area.
In making your choice of modules, you have to take account of the requirements of the
degree programme you are registered for, and of academic coherence (i.e. the different
subjects you study should have some kind of relation to one another). You have an Adviser
to help you make appropriate choices.
You are expected to attend all classes, and to pursue your studies outside class during term
and vacations. If you have to take a paid job, remember that you are still registered as a fulltime
student, and must give your studies precedence.
The above is a broad introduction, to give you a general idea of what is involved in your
degree. But you will need more precise information, which is given below.
2.1 PLANNING YOUR DEGREE
Queen Mary Academic Credit Framework (“QMACF”)
The College operates under its Academic Credit Framework, which is in line with national
norms. The QMACF ensures that your degree is easily recognisable worldwide by
reference to the National Qualifications Framework, as set out by the UK’s Qualifications
and Curriculum Authority.
In the College’s terminology your overall degree (e.g. Film Studies; French and Linguistics;
Hispanic Studies with Business Management) is called a ‘programme of study’. A specific
element of study (e.g. French Feminist Theories; Spanish Cinema;) is a ‘module’. Each
module is run by a ‘Module Organiser’, who is the member of staff responsible for all
aspects of the module. In many cases, this will also be the sole teacher of the module, but
some modules may involve more than one teacher. The Module Organiser is named in the
Directory of Modules, and is the person to approach in case of any queries about the
module.
Each module has a weight or ‘credit’ value attached to it, which is a multiple of 15. Students
choose combinations of modules up to the required value of 120 credits per year. There is a
programme specification for each programme of study which will inform you of the
requirements you must meet in order to qualify for a degree in a particular subject. These
are on the website at http://www.sllf.qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/programme_regulations.html
Of the modules available, most are valued at 15 credits. These generally run for one
semester and require a quarter of your time for that semester. (Note that only a part of this
time will be spent in classes; most of it will be spent on self-directed study.) Some modules
are valued at 30 credits. Generally, these last all year and require a quarter of your time
during each semester.
During their compulsory period abroad, language students are required to complete a Year
Abroad Assessment, which may be a single project, or a Learning Log, or be formed from
the results of the examinations at their host university (see § 6 YEAR ABROAD AND YEAR
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