Italian & Japanese – (M.A.)

MML is for academically ambitious students who wish to maximise the depth and breadth of their expertise in two language areas, and to develop their research skills beyond UG level.
The first two years are identical to the BA, but are followed by two years of highly specialised study. These two years include M-level training in research methods and critical concepts. Students complete two M-level dissertations, one in each language.
The programme involves four years of study in Manchester, with a range of options on the period of time spent abroad (min of 8 weeks) representing a unique opportunity to make the most of your Modern Languages degree.
MML Italian and Japanese aims to provide candidates with a detailed knowledge of both the language and culture of Italy from the medieval period to the present day.
You will also develop a firm grounding in the Japanese language along with understandings of Japan in historical, cultural social and global contexts.
The range of culture units offered across all years of the programme combine the study of the history, politics, literary, linguistic and visual culture of the peninsula. These units reflect the research interests of academic staff. We also offer a linguistics pathway through the degree programme for those interested in the history of the Italian language and its dialects. Assessment is undertaken using a variety of methods including coursework essays, commentaries, presentations and exams. Your language courses, taught by native speakers, will involve comprehension, translation, grammar, and oral work. The third year of the programme is spent abroad in Italy
Students will be studying Japanese throughout the course. The core language teaching enables you to develop various linguistic skills: speaking and writing accurately; understanding and analysing audio, video and written materials; using different registers; speaking to a group with confidence; and translating with appropriate sensitivity.
Students follow a Japanese Studies curriculum through which they will learn about Japan-related topics in historical, linguistic, cultural, religious and other contexts, drawing on the wide range of research carried out by staff in Japanese Studies.
Applicants should be aware that learning Japanese is very intensive and that a great deal of time is required for this throughout the course. The first few weeks may be particularly intensive for those who have not encountered Japanese script and we strongly advise all applicants to ensure that they have learned at least the hiragana script prior to Week One of teaching; guidance on materials to help with this can be obtained from language tutors.
Further Information
Detailed information on modules and course structures is available in our course handbooks