University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2021/22 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Arts > School of Modern Languages > International Business Management and German (BA) > Specification
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Programme code | 1GERM005U |
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Programme type | Joint Honours (UG) |
Programme director(s) |
Debbie Pinfold (German)
Gregory Schwartz (International Business Management) |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
School/department | School of Modern Languages |
Second School/department | School of Management - Business School |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
Students will develop distinct but also complementary skills as they progress through the degree. In Modern Languages the curriculum will draw on a skill-based teaching and learning approach which is common to all Bristol degrees in the Arts and Humanities, and which balances various skill-based types of assessment across the units which deliver core and optional aspects of the curriculum. Students will be able to draw on a rich menu of units that aim to develop a broad variety of skills. Jointly with the skills taught in International Business Management (IBM), students will thus be equipped with a broad set of skills that will ensure their employability: they will hone their communicative skills by learning a foreign language, develop their essay-writing and oral-presentation skills, and gain familiarity with group work. Additionally, they will also sharpen their ability to analyse a range of visual and discursive texts and place them in their social and political context. This work will interact meaningfully with and indeed reinforce what they will learn in IBM, where they will gain an understanding of the cultural, economic, political and social contexts in which organisations operate, both within and across national borders. They will acquire the basic knowledge and skills - both qualitative and quantitative – to function effectively within an international/globalised management context. They will develop research skills (data collection and analysis, statistical analysis, interviews and observation of organisations) and have an opportunity to study a range of subjects appropriate to a graduate seeking and international management role. Practice in collaborative work will be ensured at a minimum by the group work required in the cap stone Independent Project. Thus the programme will be fully supportive of the Bristol Skills Framework.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Knowledge and understanding are acquired through: lectures, seminars, tutorials, intensive language classes, directed reading, regular written coursework and practical language work (supported by the facilities of the Multimedia Centre), and a compulsory period of residence in the country or countries where the language is spoken. |
Methods of Assessment | |
A range of essay writing skills (short and extended essays), providing summative and formative assessment. Project work. Special subjects to allow students to address areas in-depth and the option of a dissertation. Examinations and coursework assessment in all three years spent in Bristol. Language is formally assessed through coursework, translations, essays, oral presentations and aural comprehension. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed through seminars, tutorials, oral presentations and essay writing. Units are structured in such a way that the skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation of literature are developed. History and linguistics units develop similar skills in that specific field. Language, problem solving and research are honed in the year abroad assignment. The option of Independent Study is also available in the final year. |
Methods of Assessment | |
A variety of assessment methods are used as per individual unit aims and objectives. Essay writing and examinations test the students' ability to analyse information and present reasoned arguments. Research skills are assessed by means of extended written coursework and dissertation. Language is formally assessed by translations, essays of various types, oral presentations and aural comprehension, including interpreting. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Seminars and tutorials are used to develop oral communication by requiring students to engage in class discussions and to give short introductory talks/presentations to initiate discussion. These oral skill are further developed in the language classes. The ability to think and work independently is stimulated by dissertation, essay and project tasks. |
Methods of Assessment | |
All units are assessed through written coursework and extended essays. These require a detailed and expansive handling of literature and extensive reading in support of their conclusions. The knowledge base is also tested through traditional unseen written examinations, through project work and Dissertation. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
Year 1 of the programme has been expressly designed to lay the foundations which will allow students to fulfil the programme aims and objectives. A core unit in language is geared to lead the student in the development of their language skills. The year introduces and includes preliminary work on some of the main themes and key concepts of German literature, history and linguistics to provide a familiarity with these disciplines. It enables students to understand the cultural heritage, historical development and modern contours of the German-speaking world. The expectation is that their work may require considerable direction from members of staff at this stage, and the Year 1 units are designed with this in mind. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
In Year 2 students are expected to be able to demonstrate that they have expanded the range and depth of their knowledge in various areas of the discipline and their capacity to evaluate their work through the wide range of options available beyond the core language unit. The themes and language readings will be of greater depth and substance. Students will develop their analytical skills, their ability to structure their work and present it fluently. They will be encouraged in group work skills through active participation in seminars. They will be developing a capacity for self-directed learning (for example, through the researching and writing of essays and projects). Spoken and written language skills will be reinforced and enhanced. In Year 3, students will develop their command of spoken and written German during the mandatory period of residence abroad when they either follow a formal programme on instruction at and academic institution in a German-speaking country. Their linguistic critical, research and presentational skills will also be enhanced through the writing of dissertations in German during the year. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
Students are expected to have expanded the breadth of their knowledge through the study of optional units; the units are more closely linked to staff research interests developing the conceptual and methodological approaches used with more depth and complexity. Students will be expected to develop further their ability to gather and assimilate information, to synthesise these in an appropriate way, to engage in sophisticated evaluation of language texts. These skills will be perfected in the writing of longer and more demanding essays, already introduced during their study abroad. There will be an emphasis on independent learning, self-directed study and research skills. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Lectures and linked tutorials/clinics. 2. Group work and presentations. 3. Directed and independent reading, with a strong emphasis on effective use of a wide range of literature and other information sources: academic texts, journals, articles, Blackboard, Business Source Complete and WinEcon. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Range of written essays/assignments and examinations (unseen) in all three years. 2. Other coursework will include tasks as appropriate to each unit of the course (eg: continuous assessments, presentations, group work). 3. Extensive application of theory to practice in dedicated group and solo assignments culminating in a third year Dissertation unit. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed through the lecture programme and linked seminars, independent study and coursework. Students are exposed to relevant modes of enquiry and analyses, and to a range of theoretical perspectives in the study of management; they are encouraged through class discussion and their individual written work to identify key issues, to summarise and reflect upon key points from their reading, to assess evidence and its relevance. Decision-making skills are developed through seminar classes, assignments and group exercises, and in case study classes. Research skills are further developed through teaching of quantitative and qualitative methods and study skills (e.g. in preparation for the dissertation). |
Methods of Assessment | |
A variety of written assignments/essays provide formative assessment throughout the course. Assessment includes unseen examinations, essays, group assignments and a dissertation. These test summary, analytical and evaluation skills, problem-solving, report writing and the presentation of arguments. Organisation skills are developed through the preparation and fulfilment of individual and group assignments. Further research skills are tested through the dissertation. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Personal development is developed through tutorials, assignments and feedback. Effective use of information sources, analytical ability, independent and group work are all developed through coursework tasks and study skills. Use of Blackboard and Business Source Complete develop IT skills and essential computing packages. Oral communication is developed by requiring students to engage in class discussions, in tutorials/clinics, and to give short presentations individually or in groups. Other communications skills are developed through tutorials, assignments and feedback. Interpersonal skills are developed through taught sessions and class interaction, particularly through group and syndicate work. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Recall and organisation of relevant material are tested through unseen written examinations. Independent study is assessed through coursework, assessed essays, dissertation and preparation for examinations. Communication and presentation skills are assessed through written coursework/essays, group assignments and the dissertation which students will word process. Interpersonal skills are assessed through group and syndicate oral and written presentation of assignments. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
Students are expected to acquire the foundations on which to develop appropriate expertise in line with the aims and objectives of the course. They will acquire familiarity with the main themes and key concepts of: the global business environment; economics that underpin business and organisational environments; and the use of financial information for the management of a business. They will develop an understanding of debates on issues of central importance to management and its theoretical foundations. They will have grasped the analytical tools necessary to work in the discipline. The expectation is that their work may require substantial direction from tutors at this stage with guidance on the development of study skills. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
In Year 2, students are expected to expand the range and depth of their knowledge in core areas of international business management and their capacity to evaluate material using a variety of critical perspectives. They acquire an overview of key fields of organisation and management theory, international business and international management, and appropriate methodologies, a strong conceptual basis for later theory and substantive units. Students will extend their analytical skills, their ability to structure their work and present it fluently. They will be encouraged in group work skills through active participation in seminars/clinics. They are expected to be developing a capacity for self-directed learning (for example, through the researching and writing of essays and coursework assignments). In Year 3, students will develop their command of the spoken and written forms of the language they study during the mandatory period of residence abroad when they either follow a formal programme of instruction at an academic institution overseas or take up an approved placement in a business or administrative organisation in a country where that language is spoken. Their linguistic, critical, research and presentational skills will also be enhanced through the writing of a dissertation in the language of study during the year. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
In Year 4, students are expected to broaden and deepen their knowledge through their study of specialised subjects, developing the conceptual and methodological approaches used in more complexity. Students will be expected to develop further their ability to gather and assimilate information from diverse sources, to synthesise these in an appropriate way and to engage in sophisticated critical evaluation of texts and cases. Students will be expected to study specialist relevant units from the social sciences disciplines, which provide the context in which organisations operate in a global world economy. Students will be encouraged to make their own critical judgements, to develop greater independence and organisation of relevant materials, which is tested in particular through traditional unseen written examinations and the dissertation. They will further extend individual and group work skills and their capabilities of direct application of theory to practice. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
UG Workload Statement
Success as an undergraduate student depends on you being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. Programmes are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual research-based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive. At the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing and it is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Most programmes use credits and a 20 credit unit broadly equates to about 200 hours of student input. This includes all activities related to the teaching, learning and assessment of taught units.
A component of this is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes activities such as lectures, laboratories, tutorials and fieldwork. Some of this activity may be online and could consist of activity that is synchronous (using real-time environments such as Blackboard Collaborate) or asynchronous (using tools such as tutor moderated discussion forums, blogs or wikis).
In some programmes there are field courses and/or placements that will take place in concentrated periods of time.
Outside scheduled activities you are expected to pursue your own independent learning to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include, reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks, working on examples sheets, completing coursework, writing up laboratory notes, preparing for in-class progress tests and revising for examinations.
We recognise that many students undertake paid employment. To achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
Professional Programmes
Many undergraduates in the Faculty of Health Sciences will be following the professional programmes of:
For these professional programmes, full time attendance is compulsory unless absence is formally approved. Academic activities are timetabled throughout the 5-day week and student workload is around 40 hours per week on average. Where possible, students in the early years are permitted Wednesday afternoons for sport and extra-curriculum activities. This may not be available in later years of professional programmes as when a student progresses through the curricula there is an increasing exposure to clinical and professional activities. Students in clinic or on placements may need to stay later than core times of 08.00 – 18.00 or even overnight to observe out-of-hours activities. This increasing exposure to clinical activities means that students on these professional programmes often have longer term dates than the University standard. Individual years within programmes are likely to vary in length (for example because of the timings of placements) and further information on this will be found in individual programme regulations. Another important point to note is that many of the assessments sit outside of the standard University examination timetable and are likely to be more frequent meaning that students will more oftentimes be engaged in revision activities and self-directed learning.
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty Assessment and Feedback Statement for Undergraduate Students. University of Bristol access only.
Mandatory Unit German Language (GERM10009 Post A Level or GERM19003 ab initio) is must pass. For further information and a definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | ||
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Students with Post A Level German take: | |||||
German Language 1 (Post A-level) | GERM10009 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 | |
German Literature and Film: Genres, Texts, Contexts | GERM10035 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 | |
Student taking ab initio German take: | |||||
German Language 1 (ab initio) | GERM19003 | 40 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Plus | |||||
Introduction to Management | EFIM10015 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 | |
Accounting and Finance for Managers | EFIM10030 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 | |
Select 40cp from: Students are not permitted to take UWLP10004, UWLP10005 or UWLP10006 from this list. | |||||
Language and Power: Introductions to German History | GERM10039 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Markets and Marketing | EFIM10017 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Beginners Catalan | UWLP10025 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Beginners French | UWLP10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Beginners German | UWLP10004 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Beginners Korean | UWLP10018 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Beginners Italian | UWLP10014 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Beginners Japanese | UWLP10012 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Beginners Mandarin Chinese | UWLP10013 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Beginners Modern Standard Arabic | UWLP10008 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Beginners Portuguese | UWLP10026 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Beginners Russian | UWLP10016 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Beginners Spanish | UWLP10009 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Post-Beginners French | UWLP10002 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Post-Beginners German | UWLP10005 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Post-Beginners Italian | UWLP10015 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Post-Beginners Spanish | UWLP10010 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Intermediate French | UWLP10003 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Intermediate German | UWLP10006 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Intermediate Spanish | UWLP10011 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Sustainable Development | UNIV10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Convincing stories? Numbers as evidence in the social sciences | UNIV10002 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
City Futures: Migration, Citizenship, and Planetary Change | UNIV10005 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Creative Futures: Tools for Changing the World | UNIV10007 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Understanding global problems using data: inequality, climate change and the economy | UNIV10008 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
Mandatory Unit German Language (GERM20001 and GERM20032) is must pass. For further information and a definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | ||
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International Business Management | EFIM20003 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 | |
Students who took German ab initio GERM19003 in their first year should take this unit: | |||||
German Language post ab initio | GERM20032 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Students who took German Post A Level GERM10009 in their first year should take this unit: | |||||
German Language 2 (Post A-Level) | GERM20001 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 | |
Students must select 40 credits from the following list: | |||||
Effi Briest and her Afterlives | GERM20048 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Catalan Language (Elementary) | MODL23014 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Czech Language (Elementary) | MODL23015 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
General Linguistics | MODL20016 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Historical Linguistics | MODL20017 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Woman and Nation | MODL23017 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Students must select 40 credits from the following list: | |||||
Management Accounting | ACCG20011 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Project Management | EFIM20015 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Public Management | EFIM20019 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
People, Work and Organisations | EFIM20022 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Strategic Finance | EFIM20024 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Organisation Theory | EFIM20026 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Issues in Consumer Marketing and Innovation | EFIM20045 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Foundations of Business Law | LAWD10007 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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