BA (Hons) Liberal Arts with English

St Mary's University College, Belfast

It explores the three main literary genres -- poetry, prose and drama -- in the context of their historical development. This begins with the modern period in first year and moves to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in second year. The third year (BA and BEd Primary only) concentrates on Anglo-Irish literature. As well as obvious major writers like Joyce and Yeats, there is an opportunity to study contemporary Irish women writers and recent Northern writing.

Course Content

This innovative degree offers students a combination of modules focusing on a chosen academic subject alongside other modules that make use of a wide range of disciplines to explore the human condition and our contemporary European context. This combination of focused study and broad development is a key feature of a Liberal Arts education. The learning programme seeks to develop the skills necessary to succeed in new and challenging situations. It also offers the opportunity to deepen one’s personal values and sense of responsibility towards the needs of society. The College therefore believes that a Liberal Arts degree offers students learning opportunities for both employability and fulfilment.

Teaching & Learning

On the BA (Liberal Arts) degree programme we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject and professional experts. Students are supported in developing attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life as professionals, while enhancing their development as independent, lifelong learners. The results of the National Student Survey have consistently shown that students rate the quality of teaching and learning in the College very highly. The College has recently completed an extensive refurbishment of the Student Centre, providing welcoming areas for students to meet and socialise. Additionally, the College has on its compact campus a modern, well-stocked library, an IT Open-Access Suite, dedicated workshop areas, a fitness suite and a specialist PE Centre. As St Mary’s students are also students of Queen’s University Belfast they have access to facilities at Queen’s, including the Students’ Union, libraries, IT facilities, Chaplaincy, Queen’s PEC and the Student Guidance Centre.

Assessment

The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the Learning Objectives of each module. Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Some are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations, while assessment of others may include a presentation or submission of a portfolio. Placement-based work is assessed through observation by College tutors with an input from placement staff. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in course handbooks which are provided to all students at the start of the year.