Program: Bachelor of Arts in English Studies
1.Aims
This program aims to develop students’ English proficiency, their knowledge of English-speaking countries, international vision and intercultural awareness. It provides extensive training in research and practice in a variety of fields, including Literature, Language, Culture Studies and Regional and National Studies, which will equip students with the ability to discover problems, think critically and innovate, and a sense of social responsibility and concerns of humanity. All this can prepare the students for a sustainable career in teaching, management, foreign affairs, translation, research, etc.
2.Outcomes
Ⅰ. Solid English language skills, including comprehensive skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing and translating.
Ⅱ. Mastery of the basics of English linguistics and literary theories.
Ⅲ. Advanced reading competence, including the ability to analyze and appreciate original English readings of all genres.
Ⅳ. Familiarity with the history and current situations of major English-speaking countries, and the ability to conduct in-depth analysis of specific problems.
Ⅴ. Mastery of the basic theories and methodologies of English pedagogy.
Ⅵ. Familiarity with major schools of Translation Studies, and mastery of advanced English-Chinese and Chinese-English translation skills.
Ⅶ. Extensive liberal arts knowledge, international vision and intercultural communication skills, and a general knowledge about international affairs, organizations and norms.
Ⅷ. Mastery of research skills of Humanities and Social Sciences, including problem awareness and the ability to conduct research in related fields and across disciplinary boundaries.
Ⅸ. Awareness of the similarities of and differences between Chinese and Western culture, and the ability to promote Chinese culture overseas in English.
Ⅹ. A good command of a second foreign language.
3.Duration
The duration of the program is normally four years, but students can complete the program in a minimum of three years or a maximum of six years. For more information about the policies about the registration and credit system for full-time undergraduates, please consult the relevant documents issued by Shanghai International Studies University.
4.Degree and Credits
Students must earn 160 credits by fulfilling all the requirements within the given period. Those who meet the standards will be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Arts.
5.Disciplinary Core Courses and Featured Courses
Disciplinary Core Courses: Introduction to English-speaking Countries, History of British Literature, History of American Literature, Introduction to Literature, Comparative Literature, Introduction to English Linguistics, Theory and Practice of English Grammar, English Writing, Basic English, Advanced English.
Featured Courses: Selected Readings in the Plays of Shakespeare, Eastern and Western Culture, History of Ancient Western Civilization, History of Contemporary and Modern Western Civilization, British Society and Culture, American Society and Culture, English Public Speaking, How to Debate in English: Theory and Practice, History of English Language, Western Academic Traditions and Academic Writing, Translation of Chinese Classics, Literature and Culture Classics Reading, etc.
6.Curriculum
The curriculum consists three components: general education, disciplinary education and practical education. For more information, please consult the attached list “Curriculum: Bachelor of Arts in English Studies”.
7.“Multilingual+” Strategy
Ⅰ. Learning across disciplines
The “Multilingual+” strategy combines the university’s tradition of foreign language teaching with advances across the disciplinary spectrum, especially in Humanities, Social Sciences and Regional and National Studies. Students can elect courses from the six “Multi-culture & International Vision” general education course clusters or from the cross-major open platform. These courses are designed under the university’s “Foreign Language + Foreign Language”, “Foreign Language + Regional and National Studies” or “Foreign Language + Interdiscipline” initiatives, which are aimed at preparing students to become “Multilingual+” talents who are proficient in foreign languages, knowledgeable about countries and regions and have disciplinary expertise. In addition, Students who find interest in another major during their study of the current program can apply for a program transfer in accordance with the university’s policy.
For more information about the elective general education courses and disciplinary core courses, please consult the relevant documents issued by Shanghai International Studies University.
Ⅱ. Studying at Honors College
Combining the resources of each school, the Honors College offers personalized education that supports its students to become high-end “Multilingual+” talents who can meet the needs of national development. Currently, the College has four experimental programs, respectively in Advanced Multilingual Translation (open to minor foreign languages majors only), Multilingual Area Studies, Multilingual International Organization Studies and Multilingual Foreign Affairs Studies.
The College operates under a “revolving door” policy. Any student who meets the College’s standards can apply for the enrollment examination. At the end of the first two academic years, after a comprehensive assessment, which takes into consideration the students’ GPA, continuous performance and interview results, the bottom 10% of the students will be disqualified and continue their studies at the schools of their respective majors.
For more information, please consult the relevant documents issued by the Honors College.
Ⅲ. “Language +” minor platform
Students can choose to minor in a foreign language (French, German, Japanese, etc.) or a specific professional field (Law, Finance, Business Administration, etc.) through the “Language +” minor platform. Those who finish the two-year or three-year program will be awarded a certificate for taking minor courses or a second degree.
For more information, please consult the relevant documents.
Ⅳ. Studying at a different school
Students can choose to enroll in minor programs offered by universities in the Northeast area of Shanghai or Songjiang University Town. Here is a list of schools that offer the aforementioned programs. For minor programs in the Northeast area of Shanghai: Fudan University, Tongji University, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, East China University of Political Science and Law and Shanghai University of Electric Power. For minor programs in Songjiang University Town: Donghua University, Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, East China University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai University of Engineering Science and Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance. Students can also choose to study in universities in the Yangtze River Delta on exchange programs.
For more information, please consult the relevant documents issued by the university in question.
8. Studying aboard
The School of English currently offers 17 international exchange programs in partnership with 13 overseas universities, including, in the UK, Royal Holloway College of University of London, and Leicester University, in the US, Barnard College of Columbia University, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, University of Montana, and California State University Long Beach, in Germany, Universität Bayreuth and, in New Zealand, University of Waikato. These programs are aimed at broadening students’ horizon through first-hand experience in a foreign country and allowing them to put what they have learned into practice. Up until now, about 50% of the sophomores and juniors at the SES have participated in these international exchange programs.
