International Foundation Program in Arts and Humanities

Modules

The modules in this program have been developed to give you a thorough preparation for various related undergraduate degrees.

Introduction to Cultural Analysis

This interdisciplinary module aims to support you as you develop familiarity with the requisite skills in the practice of close analysis of culture through the study of a series of visual, material, and textual cultural forms, namely art, film, digital and print media, and museum and gallery displays. Such practice is a core requirement for the higher-level study of history, liberal arts, drama, performance, art, film, and arts management. You will develop tools of analysis to interpret and critique cultural forms drawn from selective disciplines (History of Art, Film Studies, Media Studies, Museum and Gallery Practices). By the end of the module, you should be able to demonstrate knowledge of cultural forms and the contexts in which culture was created and received, identify and assess the values and assumptions cultural forms represent, interpret and evaluate culture according to criteria appropriate to its form (subject matter, formal elements, and purposes), compose and communicate an interpretation of visual, material and textual culture using appropriate evidence and language.

History

History on the Warwick IFP is designed to introduce you to the most important developments that have shaped Europe, the world, and the human experience for the last two hundred years. You will learn about the development of Western and global society through periods of huge economic growth and upheaval, and intellectual, political, and technological transformation. You’ll explore the profound international effects of European empires and political revolutions in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and how battles between liberal democracy, communism, and fascism transformed the world. The technical business of history will be introduced from the outset, with specific training in understanding historical debates and in particular in the reading of primary sources. You will learn history in part through documents produced in the periods that you’ll be studying and will have the opportunity to hear guest speakers from Warwick and other universities giving talks on the subjects of their research.

Philosophy

The main aim of our Philosophy module is to provide a broad, introductory, critical overview of the core traditions in Philosophy, from the key thinkers to the key areas of philosophical argument. You will learn about a range of key philosophers and will become familiar with their written works and in doing so, will become confident with the language and logic of philosophical arguments. The module will also provide a range of opportunities for you to develop a variety of skills including critical thinking, essay writing, analysis, and evaluation that will enable you to engage successfully in philosophical dialogue. The skills and knowledge gained through this module will help prepare you for a range of different degree-level courses.

Inquiry and Research Skills for Arts and Humanities

This is a core module of this course and is delivered in two parts to complement your other modules. The first part of this module looks at developing core research and inquiry skills including academic searching, using sources, teamwork, reflection, and problem-based learning inquiries. The second part of the module allows you to put everything you have learned into practice through a research-based project.

English for Academic Purposes

This module is not about developing your conversational or everyday English skills; instead, it will develop your Academic English skills. You will consider how academic essays should be written, including looking at appropriate referencing and paraphrasing, as well as thinking about how presentations should be delivered in an academic context.

Teaching and Assessment

How will I learn?

You will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars, which is the same type of teaching you can expect at the undergraduate level in the UK.

• Lectures are where all students on a module are together (this can be up to 100 students on the IFP), and the academic tutor introduces the topic of study.
• Seminars are much smaller groups (typically no more than 15 students), where you have the opportunity to explore a subject in more detail with your academic tutor and classmates. In your seminars, you will be expected to engage in discussions and debates around the subject matter.

How will I be assessed?

Across your modules, you will be assessed through a range of methods including essays, literature reviews, presentations, and examinations.

Assessments will take place throughout the year so that you can monitor your progress. Some assessments will be formative (grades do not count towards your final marks, but are an opportunity to practice your skills) and others will be summative (count towards your final grades and will have a weighting, for example, worth 20% of your overall grade).