Italian & Chinese – (B.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 undergraduate level.
The first two years are identical to the BA, but are followed by two years of highly specialised study (the equivalent of the final year at BA). 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 (minimum of 8 weeks in each country) representing a unique opportunity to make the most of your Modern Languages degree.
MML Italian and Chinese aims to provide candidates with a detailed knowledge of both the language and culture of Italy from the medieval period to the present day.
Students will also develop a firm grounding in Mandarin Chinese and in contemporary Chinese culture, society, economy and politics as well as China's changing relations with the West.
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. You will spend around 12 hours a week in classes (lectures, seminars, language/oral classes). The third year of the programme is spent abroad in Italy
Students will study Mandarin Chinese throughout the course. The core language teaching in Mandarin Chinese enables you to develop various linguistic skills: speaking and writing accurately; understanding and analysing audio, video and written material; using different registers; speaking to a group with confidence; and translating with appropriate sensitivity.
At the same time, students can choose China-related topics in literature, film, cultural studies, politics, history, linguistics, economics, development studies, and business, drawing on the wide range of research expertise in Chinese Studies across the Faculty of Humanities. In this way, you will be able to tailor the course in keeping with the development of your interests.
Further Information
Detailed information on modules and course structures is available in our course handbooks