Educational aims
This certificate allows students to combine the study of History with a language (French, German or Spanish). It offers a solid grounding in key concepts associated with History and the chosen language. This qualification will provide students with:
- an understanding what the academic study of History is all about (and how it differs from ‘popular history’ on TV or in books). Above all else students will be made aware of the nature of the discipline and subdisciplines of History (for instance, political, economic and social history) and of their distinctive approaches and methods.
- a grounding in the history of the British Isles and Continental Europe from the later Middle Ages to the present, to stimulate and help to satisfy their interest in the subject
- opportunities to learn how to communicate effectively in their chosen language, both in speech and in writing, and gain an understanding of the structure of the language and of how it is used in different contexts, as well as knowledge of the societies and cultures in which that language is used
- opportunities to gain cultural insight into historical perspectives from a European context as well as intercultural communication competence comprehensive support and guidance to develop as an independent learner, and to develop historical and language skills, in addition to a range of non-subject-specific skills, including academic, digital, and professional skills.
This study experience will be equivalent to the first year of honours degree level study. This certificate provides a pathway to the BA (Honours) History and languages (R65) and Diploma of Higher Education in History and Languages (W96).
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this qualification, you’ll have knowledge and understanding of:
- history as a systematic and reflective discipline producing bodies of knowledge about the past, subject to controversy, debate, refinement and correction
- aspects of the history of Britain, Continental Europe and North America across the period from the later Middle Ages to the present
- the chosen language in a variety of oral and written contexts, including academic ones maintaining a high degree of grammatical accuracy and appropriate style, you will also be able to communicate appropriately with competent speakers of your chosen language
- aspects of the societies in the countries where your chosen language is spoken (including aspects such as literatures, cultures, linguistic contexts, politics, geography, and social and economic structures) as well as intercultural communicative competence including a reasoned awareness and critical understanding of the cultures and societies associated with your chosen language
Cognitive skills
On completion of this qualification, you’ll be able to:
- evaluate evidence and distinguish between objective knowledge, hypotheses and opinions
- apply such knowledge and understanding and other cognitive skills to the solution of problems of a familiar and unfamiliar nature
- synthesise information and ideas obtained from a variety of sources, including written and visual sources
- employ appropriate reading and listening strategies to make use of a wide variety of written, spoken and multimodal texts for different audiences in your chosen language,
- describe, analyse and evaluate the similarities and dissimilarities between cultures and societies with your own.
Practical and/or professional skills
On completion of this qualification, you’ll be able to:
- communicate your ideas effectively both orally and in writing in your chosen language and/or English in ways that demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the discipline, also follow appropriate structures and conventions, including academic language, selecting and making critical use of written and spoken sources
- study and learn independently: including planning and executing a study programme
- collaborate with others to achieve joint outcomes, playing an active role in facilitating effective group interaction, influencing and/or leading as appropriate
Key skills
On completion of this qualification, you’ll be able to:
- undertake research: seek out, collect and select relevant information in a systematic manner, using information literacy
- present historical discussion in appropriate language using the scholarly apparatus (according to conventions within the discipline) that provides proper acknowledgement of relevant work by other scholars.
- present historical discussion in appropriate language using the scholarly apparatus (according to conventions within the discipline) that provides proper acknowledgement of relevant work by other scholars.
Teaching, learning and assessment methods
Materials are delivered online and in print, as appropriate for the learning activities. You will also have opportunities to enhance your learning by engaging with fellow students, tutors and members of the module team via tutorials, embedded online schools, and online forums.
All modules are assessed through single-component assessment, based on tutor-marked assignments and end-of-module assessments at each level of the qualification.