Diploma in Modern Languages (Arabic Studies)

Course 888-AR (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009.

Year and Campus: 2009
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Undergraduate

Coordinator

Convener: Dr Abdul-Samad Abdullah

Contact

Enquiries: Arts & Music Student Centre
Rm 104 (Ground Floor) Old Arts Building

Location (PDF, 1027kb)

Tel: +61 3 8344 5235
Fax: +61 3 9347 0424
Search for an answer or send an email via our queries database: http://arts-unimelb.custhelp.com/

Course Overview:

The Diploma in Modern Languages (DML) enables students to gain a diploma in language study while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne. The diploma consists of a three-year sequence of first-, second- and third-year language study and adds one year to the duration of your degree course. You take language subjects alongside your degree subjects in an integrated sequence. The diploma will only be awarded on the completion of your degree course. Students who do not commence the Diploma concurrently with the first year of their degree studies may not be able to complete the Diploma at the same time as the degree. Students enrolled in the DML must complete the course before, or at the same time as their concurrent degree.

Students wishing to undertake an honours or postgraduate diploma program on completion of the DML (100 points) should note that they are required to complete the equivalent of a BA language major (112.5 points) before being eligible for entry to a fourth year level program.

Diploma graduates with the equivalent of a BA language major must have completed a BA degree to be eligible to apply for the BA (Honours), otherwise they may apply to enter the postgraduate diploma.

Objectives:

At the completion of the Diploma, students should:

  • have acquired a mastery of both oral/aural and writing/reading skills comparable to that of a student majoring in a language discipline;

  • have gained a basic understanding of selected aspects of the culture (or cultures) and of the society (or societies) associated with the language.

Course Structure & Available Subjects:

The Diploma consists of a three-year sequence of study in Arabic language (totalling 100 points). The language subjects will be taken concurrently with an non-New Generation undergraduate degree in an integrated sequence and will normally add one year to the duration of a student's degree course.

It is each student's responsibility to ensure that s/he meets the requirements of the Diploma by enrolling in the correct number of subjects at the appropriate year level and within the rules outlined for the relevant language stream of the DML.

Subject Options:

Beginners Stream

The beginners stream is available to students who have little or no knowledge of Arabic.

First Year Arabic Subjects

Students undertaking the DML must complete the following first year subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.500
Semester 2
12.500

Second Year Arabic Subjects

Students undertaking the DML must complete the following second year subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.500
Semester 2
12.500
Semester 1
12.500

Third Year Arabic Subjects

Students undertaking the DML must complete the following third year subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.500
Semester 2
12.500
Semester 2
12.500

Post-VCE Stream

The Post-VCE stream is usually only available to students who have obtained a pass in VCE Arabic, or its equivalent.

First Year Arabic Subjects

Students undertaking the DML must complete the following first year subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.500
Semester 2
12.500

Second Year Arabic Subjects

Students undertaking the DML must complete the following second year subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.500
Semester 2
12.500
Semester 1
12.500

Third Year Arabic Subjects

Students undertaking the DML must complete the following third year subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.500
Semester 2
12.500
Semester 2
12.500
Entry Requirements:

The Diploma in Modern Languages (DML) is only available to students who are currently enrolled in a non-New Generation undergraduate degree course at the University of Melbourne. The DML must be completed alongside your degree studies and can only be awarded on the completion of your degree.

For continuing students, selection into the Diploma is based upon the weighted average of subjects across your entire course. For first-year students, eligibility is based on your ENTER score. The entry cut-off fluctuates from year-to-year. It is determined by the number of places available and the number of applications received.

For combined degree students and students from faculties other than arts, entry to the Diploma requires the approval of both the Faculty of Arts and the other faculty.

Core Participation Requirements:

The Diploma will be available to students with no prior knowledge of a language as well as to those who have completed several years of study (for instance, as part of the VCE).

Your stream enrolment depends on your previous language experience and is determined by the relevant School. You may be required to sit a placement test to determine your level of language skill.

Further Study: The DML provides a pathway to graduate study in language.
Graduate Attributes: See course objectives
Generic Skills: Arts students are encouraged to pursue their academic interests and professional aspirations by taking a variety of subjects in a range of different areas of study. All arts subjects provide students with transferable generic skills that prepare them for further study and the workplace.

As a result of attendance at scheduled classes, participation in planned activities and discussion groups, and timely completion of essays and assignments, arts graduates should acquire transferable generic skills in the following areas:

  • research

    through competent use of the library, electronic databases, and other information sources, and the definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research;

  • critical thinking and analysis

    through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

  • thinking in theoretical terms

    through lectures, tutorial discussion, essay writing and engagement in the methodologies of the humanities and social sciences;

  • thinking creatively

    through essay writing, creative writing, tutorial discussions and presentations, conceptualising theoretical problems, forming judgements and arguments from conflicting evidence and by critical analysis;

  • understanding of social, ethical and cultural context

    through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument;

  • communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically

    through essay writing and tutorial and seminar discussion;

  • written communication

    through essay preparation and assignment writing;

  • public speaking

    through tutorial and seminar discussion and class presentations;

  • attention to detail

    through essay preparation and writing, and examination revision;

  • time management and planning

    through managing and organising workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment completion and examination revision;

  • teamwork

    through joint projects and group discussions.

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