St Mary's University Twickenham, London

BA (Hons) Liberal Arts

In the first year, you will study three core modules and three modules of your own choosing from across a minimum of two subject study areas.

You will study two core modules in the second year and select four optional modules. If you wish to follow a major pathway you will need to choose a minimum of three modules from that subject study area.

There is one core module in the third year and you will need to select an additional four optional modules. If you wish to follow a major pathway you will need to choose a minimum of three modules from that subject study area.

Indicative modules might be as follows:

Year one

• Rethinking Modernity
• The Public Role of the Arts and Humanities
• Current Writers and Writing
• Introduction to Narrative
• London Theatre
• Introduction to Critical Theory
• Film, Style and Form
• Digital Cultures
• Media History
• Digital Production
• British Film and TV
• Doing History
• Revolutions and Rebellions
• What is Politics?
• Introduction to International Relations
• Foundations in Biblical Interpretation
• Key Concepts in World Religions
• Fundamentals of Systematic Theology
• The Nature of Religion
• Introduction to Ethics

Year two

• Working with the Liberal Arts
• Researching the Liberal Arts
• Writing Lyrics and Poetry
• Writing Genre Fiction
• Journalism 1: News Writing
• The Publishing Industry
• Curating London
• Gothic Cultures 1760-1900
• Romanticism: English Literature and its Background 1776-1832
• Narrative and Identity in the 19th Century Novel
• North American Cinema
• Screen Theory and Criticism
• Documentary and World Cinema
• Multimedia Production
• Screenwriting 1
• Liberty or Death: The French Revolution
• Australia: Great Southern Land
• Popular Culture, Politics and History
• Public Histories
• Theory, Practice and History of Diplomacy
• Modernity and Global Societies
• Political Economy of Global Development
• Research Methods in Social Sciences
• God in Christ
• Religion and Reason
• Ecclesiology
• Medieval Islamic Thought
• Religion in Contemporary Society
• Bioethics
• Theological Anthropology
• The Aspiring Entrepreneur
• Responsible Leadership in the 21st Century
• An Interdisciplinary Encounter With the Sacred

Year three

• Dissertation/Independent Project
• Creative Non-Fiction
• Writing Adaptations
• Writing Children’s Fiction
• Modernisms in English Literature
• Literature and the Unconscious
• New Voices: Twentieth-Century Literature
• The Paradox of Horror
• Screenwriting 2
• Disney and Animation
• The Beatles and the Counterculture
• Renaissance Kingship
• Liberating Histories
• Nations and Nationalisms
• Political Communication
• International Organisations
• Global Media
• Hindu Texts
• Metaethics
• Theology and Culture
• Religion and Politics
• Christian Ethics
• Christian Spirituality
• Ecclesiology and Mariology
• Sacramental Theology
• Gospel of John
• Ecumenism and Interfaith

How the degree is taught

Teaching methods

You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.

Most modules will share the common 4 hours week structure of Humanities programmes which includes 3 hours of seminars/group tutorials and a 1-hour lecture.

However, the applied nature of the programme means that much of the work is supported by consultancy with key industry figures/mentors.

The Liberal Arts Independent Project is assessed in a variety of different ways from traditional dissertation to website design, podcast, short film – the media most appropriate to showcase the learning aims defined at the project’s inception.

Students will be allocated a personal tutor, but in line with the focus on collective problem solving embedded through the course content, each cohort will also meet as a group on a weekly basis.

Teaching breakdown

Learning on the course is made up through a combination of:

• Contact time: 19%
• Guided learning: 40%
• Independent study: 40%

Independent study is a key feature of your degree and is crucial to furthering your knowledge.

You will receive your timetable a week before teaching is due to start at the latest.

Assessment methods

There is a large range of assessment strategies available. You'll be expected to not just develop your skills as an academic writer through the formal essay, but as a charismatic communicator through the public presentation, a group problem solver through project work and a creative artist through media outputs, film, podcast and/or performance.

All forms of assessment will be designed to enable lecturers to meet the three-week turnaround requirement for feedback.

Feedback

We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within three weeks.

Compensated passes

Please refer to the information on compensated passes throughout your degree as outlined in the academic regulations.

On this degree you will explore the Arts and Humanities in an interdisciplinary programme, studying a broad range of subjects. This includes aspects of History, English, Film, Creative Writing, Theology and Politics.

As a Liberal Arts student, you will develop your knowledge, your analytical and communication skills and blend this with your own creativity to make connections across different academic areas, becoming a well-rounded graduate with an enviable skill set.

On successful completion of the degree, you will be able to demonstrate a detailed understanding of the public role of the arts and humanities. You'll show an ability to cross traditional subject boundaries, compare and contrast different disciplinary approaches, and draw productive links between them.

There are many opportunities to get involved with creative projects such as film and podcasts throughout the degree. You can also complete a work placement, building your network of industry contacts who will offer support as you progress into your career.

The Liberal Arts degree programme will equip you with skills that are highly desired by employers, including the ability to research, analyse complex information, to work both independently and as part of a team in order to create solutions.

Our programme will set you apart in a competitive job market as you meet the growing demand for dynamic, business and public service leaders.

You will take a bespoke Liberal Arts work placement during your second year and also have the opportunity to take an optional further placement in the final year.

Whilst on placement you will carry out a project that both enhances your understanding of organisational culture and feeds into the work of the host employer. This will develop the attributes needed to help support your future career.

The Careers Service has more information on careers and postgraduate study options available to Liberal Arts students who have started their studies at St Mary’s.