Programme description
BA studies in English Philology will allow you to gain comprehensive knowledge and skills for discussing the English language and the literature and culture of English-speaking countries, with particular emphasis on Great Britain and the United States. You will develop your practical skills and competences in using English in speech and writing, both in general and academic communication. You will choose a pronunciation model that you will work on during practical courses of English - British or American. We will also prepare you for the role of a researcher - thanks to training courses in ethics in science, information technology, academic writing, and others. These skills will be useful when choosing your BA seminar and preparing your diploma thesis.
At the first organizational meeting, we will ask you to choose the specialization that you will pursue during your three-year studies until the diploma thesis stage. Each specialization, besides the general block of philological subjects and practical language classes, features in-depth courses in various areas of English studies as well as separate specialization subjects. In the second and third year, we also offer several elective pro-seminars, thanks to which you can adapt your educational path even more closely to your current interests. You will also choose a second modern foreign language, which you will learn in the 2nd and 3rd year of your studies.
Requirements under the Act on the Protection of Minors
It is a prerequisite for mandatory student work placements (internships) that the student meets the requirements set out in the Act of 13 May 2016 on Counteracting the Threat of Sexual Offences and the Protection of Minors, in particular to undergo verification in the Sexual Offenders Register and to submit information from the National Criminal Register with regard to specific offences, and in the case of students who are foreigners or who have resided in the last 20 years in countries other than the Republic of Poland, also to submit additional declarations, as well as information from the criminal records of other countries together with sworn translations. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the above-mentioned Act will make it impossible to complete the compulsory student work placements and consequently to graduate.
Specialties
- The general academic specialization will deepen your knowledge in the field of linguistics (e.g. about the structure and history of the English language), literary studies and culture of the English language speaking countries - thanks to extended lectures, exercises and conversation classes. You will also acquire additional philological competences in the field of philosophy, the Latin language or cultural theory. An important element of the general academic specialization are professional internships where you can practise the use of English in the labour market.
- If you choose the teaching specialization, in addition to the classes in the philological block, you will participate in courses such as psychology, pedagogy and didactics of English, as well as subjects related to culture or information technologies useful for language educators. You will also complete professional internships in primary and secondary schools. You will gradually gain a full package of knowledge and skills necessary to work at school; remember, however, that in order to obtain qualifications to teach English, it is necessary to continue and complete second-cycle studies in English philology.
- The translation specialization offers you specialization classes related to written and oral translation as well as to intercultural communication. You will become familiar with the basic aspects of translation and the work of a translator, e.g. the principles of translating legal and journalistic texts, etc., tools for supporting translation, and organizational issues of the translator's profession. Classes, including many practical workshops, are conducted in English and Polish by experienced translators and interpreters. An essential preliminary requirement is a very good knowledge of Polish and English, which is verified by an initial aptitude test.
- The theatre studies specialization (full name: "Theatre and Drama of English-speaking Countries") will expand and enrich your knowledge, skills and competences regarding theatre and drama and theatre practices, with particular emphasis on the British Isles traditions. This is the only theatre program in Poland conducted exclusively in English. We offer subjects related to the theory and history of theatre and performance, research in the field of theatre studies, theatre criticism, as well as numerous practical classes. We follow the best teaching and research practices developed at English-speaking universities.
Example of courses
Common subjects for all specialisations:
- English as a foreign language (integrated skills, pronunciation, grammar, writing)
- General linguistics
- Introduction to literary studies
- History of the British Isles / History of the USA
- History of British literature / History of American literature
- Cultural studies of English-speaking countries
- English phonetics and phonology
- Descriptive grammar and syntax of the English language
- Language acquisition and learning
- History of English
- Ethics in research
- Second modern foreign language course
General academic specialisation:
- Extended versions of linguistics and literary courses from the common list above
- Theory of literature and culture
- History of philosophy
- Wide range of elective pro-seminars
Teaching specialisation:
- Teaching English
- Present-day literature in English
- IT in language education
- Multilingualism in education
Translation specialisation:
- Translation as a profession - introduction
- Specialized vocabulary (politics, media, arts, tourism, science, law, and other)
- Introduction to interpreting (liaison)
- Translating and interpreting workshops
Theatre and drama in English:
- Histories of theatre / History of British theatre / History of Irish theatre
- Studying performance
- Reviewing theatre
- Staging dramatic texts
Graduate competencies
- Ability to use English at C1 level or higher
- Familiarity with topics related to linguistic and literary research, also in a cultural context
- Ability to independently and critically interpret texts, also in the appropriate cultural context
- Soft skills (creativity, flexibility, communication skills)
- Critical and creative thinking skills
Career prospects
- Foreign language teacher (after successful completion of master's studies)
- English language translator
- Work in scientific, educational, cultural or media institutions looking for employees with extensive cultural knowledge and philological skills
- Editorial work: electronic media, public relations, advertising
- Work in areas related to market and public opinion research and journalism
- Work in international companies that require good knowledge of English as well as the knowledge of local markets
- Work in business companies that require a very good knowledge of English as well as thorough recognition of the literary and cultural circumstances in English-speaking countries
- Work in the above-mentioned areas (e.g. translations, electronic media, public relations, etc.) as part of your own business