Below you'll find some of the questions we get asked most at open days. If you can't find an answer below, or want more information, please contact the Department's admissions tutor, Dr. Carlotta Paltrinieri (Carlotta.Paltrinieri@rhul.ac.uk), and she'll be happy to help you.
Teaching across the Department
- Do I have to already study a language to study in LLC?
- No! We have various degree courses (Comparative Literature and Culture, Liberal Arts, History of Art and Visual Culture, International Film) that do not require any knowledge of foreign languages, since all our content teaching is taught in English and we ensure that translations of all our texts are available. Even if you are studying a language (or more), you’re also allowed to take modules in languages you’re not studying.
- Are the ML programmes heavily literary, or can I do film?
- We offer a range of different modules, some exclusively literary, some focusing on film or visual arts, and some working with different types of media. Over the course of your studies you’ll almost definitely get some exposure to different types of material, but you’ll also be allowed to focus on what interests you most.
- How will I be assessed?
- Assessments vary from module to module (and sometimes year on year within modules) but everyone’s overall assessment workload will remain roughly the same. We use a variety of different assessment methods: essays, exams, online activities, blogposts, presentations, commentaries, reviews, learning journals, short translation or language-work pieces… Almost all modules (except dissertations) involve at least two components, and most content modules involve at least one essay.
- How flexible are module options?
- The optional modules available depends on the specific degree (or degree combination) you are taking and the number of core modules this involves (this will also vary depending on the number of languages you are learning). Each year there will be various module options available and you’re allowed to take whichever ones you wish, up to the maximum.
- How many hours a week will I be studying?
- You will tend to have about 8-9 hours of classroom time per week on average (more if you are studying a language from scratch). These classes will generally involve preparation outside class time, however. With preparation, revision, essay-writing, and so forth, you will probably be working for about 40 hours per week, but the way you spread this extracurricular time over your weekly timetable is your own.
- What sorts of literature do you study?
- We teach all sorts of literature, from classical epic to seventeenth-century comedy, from medieval romance to twenty-first century novels and philosophical fictions, and from plays and poetry to short stories. Especially if you study Comparative Literature and Culture, you can expect to read texts from various historical periods and locations.
- How large are the lecture and seminar groups?
- This can vary quite widely, as it depends on the number of people taking your module or degree course, the type of class, and the year group you’re in. The largest modules can have lecture groups of around 40+ students, but in most cases classes are unlikely to exceed 20, and many seminar discussion groups might have around 10 students.
- Are the lectures taught in English or in the foreign language?
- The ‘content’ modules are all taught in English, with the material being made available in English translation. If you’re studying the relevant language you’re strongly encouraged to read the material in the original, of course. If you’re studying a language, the core language modules will be taught primarily or exclusively in the language in order to give you the maximum exposure to the language.
Modern Languages
- What is the maximum number of languages you can study?
- This depends on your degree. If you’re taking single honours Modern Languages, you can take one, two, or three languages. If you’re taking a major in Modern Languages, you can take one or two; if you’re taking a joint or minor then you can take one.
- How many languages can I study from scratch?
- You can study at most one language from scratch, provided that you are already taking a language post-A level.
- Can I study a language outside my degree?
- Not right now but we are running a pilot project to see whether we can offer language study more widely.
- How easy is it to change language?
- It’s not normally possible to take up a new language over the course of your studies, but if you’re taking two or more languages and want to drop one this is often possible during the summer vacation.
- Can you study a language as part of CLC?
- CLC doesn’t require you to learn a language, but it can certainly improve your experience to! It isn’t possible to take the core language modules as part of CLC, but you could take our joint honours Modern Languages and Comparative Literature and Culture. If you already have reading skills in one of our languages, you can always read the relevant material in the original language.
- Can I learn about Latin America in my Spanish studies?
- Of course! We have a real strength in Latin American literature and visual culture, and several of our modules focus specifically on Latin America or compare Latin American material with Spanish material.
- Am I allowed to take optional modules from beyond the language(s) I’m studying?
- Yes! All of our LLC options modules are available to students from across the department, whichever languages they are studying. It’s also possible to take a few modules from other departments as well.
Liberal Arts
- What is Liberal Arts?
- Liberal Arts is a truly interdisciplinary degree programme that enables you to take subjects across different departments and disciplines. One of the main strengths of the programme is its flexibility, which allows you to create your own pathway – a bespoke course that is suited to your own developing interests and passions. That's what makes Liberal Arts such a popular programme – you’re able to work out what’s right for you and there’s truly something for everyone!
- Can I get to specialise in a certain subject?
- Yes! The title of your degree on your transcript will, by default, be ‘BA Liberal Arts’ (with a Language Year Abroad or International Year as applicable), but you have the option of specifying your degree specialism. For example, you can graduate with a degree title like ‘BA Liberal Arts (Geography)’ or ‘BA Liberal Arts (Psychology)’ – or any other subject you’ve specialised in – so long as you have passed at least 90 credits in the relevant discipline.
- Do I have to learn a language as part of Liberal Arts?
- Yes – at least in Year 1! All first-year Liberal Arts students take a language module choosing from French, German, Italian or Spanish – all taught at Beginners’ or Advanced level. At Year 2 level, you have the option to continue with the language you have studied in Year 1 and continue with this throughout your degree programme or to select additional modules from an extensive list of options.
- Can I take Liberal Arts with another subject?
- After all, one of the most exciting features of our Liberal Arts degree programme is that it allows you to take options from a range of subjects/disciplines across the college – it’s already the ultimate joint honours programme because you can create something that’s suited to you and your developing interests. In addition to BA Liberal Arts, you have the option of Liberal Arts with a Language Year Abroad and Liberal Arts with an International Year – both 4-year degrees that include an integral year abroad.
Comparative Literature and Culture
- Do I need to be able to read or speak another language to study CLC?
- No, you don’t. All the material we teach across Comparative Literature and Culture is made available in English, and our teaching does not require any familiarity with another language. That said, if you do speak any of the languages whose texts are covered in our CLC course you are encouraged to read them in the original language. If you’re learning a language and want to keep it up throughout your study then our joint honours degree in Modern Languages and Comparative Literature and Culture might be ideal for you.
- How is CLC different from studying English Literature?
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While a degree in CLC may include materials from across the English-speaking worlds, it is far broader in geographic, linguistic, and cultural scope, covering materials in a variety of languages spanning the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. It is also far broader in terms of the type of material you will study, which can include not only literature but philosophical thought, visual arts, film and more. This multilingual and cross-cultural approach means that a CLC degree engages naturally with issues related to translation and the transnational circulation of culture, cross-cultural exchange, globalisation, colonisation and decolonisation, as well as world literary markets. The materials studied, whether literature, thought, visual arts, or film, will also be grounded in the social, historical, and political contexts of the time and place in which they were produced, giving students of CLC a strongly global outlook and a rich cross-cultural understanding. Of course, the two degrees are very compatible, and so if you have a particular passion for English literature you can always do a join degree in Comparative Literature and Culture and English.
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- What does the ‘and Culture’ bit of ‘Comparative Literature and Culture’ mean?
- Whereas many universities’ comparative literature degrees just focus on reading and comparing literature from different areas, we pride ourselves on our research into all aspects of culture: film, theatre, painting, photography, thought, fashion, you name it! Over the course of your studies you’ll be exposed to all sorts of culture, but if you want to specialise in particular areas (literature or visual culture, for example) after your first year, then this is normally fine. If you’re particularly interested in visual culture, do consider our joint degree of Comparative Literature and Cultur and History of Art and Visual Culture.
Study Abroad
- Is the Year Abroad compulsory for the Modern Languages degree?
- If you are taking Modern Languages as a Major or Joint Honours then your Year Abroad will be compulsory, unless you have a compelling reason (for example, medical) for a waiver.
- Are there possibilities to take a year abroad compulsory for Liberal Arts or Comparative Literature and Culture students?
- Yes! Our Liberal Arts with a Language Year Abroad and Liberal Arts with an International Year courses allow Liberal Arts students to spend a year in a foreign country. Those taking Liberal Arts with an International Year can study English-language courses at one of our partner universities, while those taking Liberal Arts with a Language Year Abroad have the same options as our Modern Languages students (see below).
- What different options are open to me on my Year Abroad?
- If you’re studying Modern Languages or Liberal Arts with a Language Year Abroad, you normally have three options: study at a partner university, teach as an English language assistant with the British Council, or organise a work placement.
- If I study more than one language, do I need to spend my Year Abroad in different countries?
- You’re not strictly required to divide the official period of your Year Abroad across two (or more!) different countries, and in some cases this can prove impossible. However, we strongly encourage all students taking more than one language to spend at least some time in all the relevant countries. Since your official period of residence abroad is only around seven months, there is normally plenty of time during the summer holidays on either side to spend time improving your language skills in other countries too!
Miscellanea
- Do you offer a foundation year course?
- If you are applying for Comparative Literature and Culture or Liberal Arts then yes, we can offer you a Foundation Year; you can either apply directly for our Comparative Literature and Culture/Liberal Arts with an Integrated Foundation Year courses, or we can offer you the Foundation Year as an option if you fail to meet your A level requirements.
