BA/BS in Multilingualism and Digital Technologies

General Description: Objective(s) of a study programme: To prepare professionals in two natural languages and cultures who are able to apply their knowledge of philology and informatics as well as theoretical and methodological approaches to effectively and creatively solve problems related to the interaction of languages, cultures, and technologies in undefined real-life situations, mediating between representatives of different disciplines and various interest groups. Learning outcomes: 1. Knowledge and its application: Students: 1.1. Will know and understand the concepts of philology and informatics disciplines, cognitive assumptions (theories) and research methods, as well as their interdisciplinary connections, and will be able to apply them when analyzing the phenomena of language, cultures, and technologies, and by mediating between different cultural, professional, and technological experience groups in order to facilitate mutual understanding and effective communication; 1.2. Will know and understand how the interaction between philology and informatics disciplines allows tackling complex problems related to multilingual communication in the digital space and the adaptation of digital solutions to different linguistic and cultural audiences; 2. Research skills: 2.1. Will be able to conduct interdisciplinary research, applying the knowledge and skills acquired in the fields of philology and informatics to solve complex problems at the interface of languages, cultures, and technologies: identify a specific interdisciplinary problem, justify the relevance of its solution, select appropriate empirical data, research methods, and relevant sources to solve it, formulate hypotheses and research questions; 2.2. Will be able to collect, analyze, and systematize data from various sources using modern information technologies, library resources, AI tools, modern databases, open data sources, etc.; 2.3. Will be able to interpret, systematize, and describe the research results in a well-argued manner, present them publicly, and defend them in an academic and professional environment; 3. Special skills: 3.1. Will be able to communicate effectively in the languages studied, both orally and in writing, taking into account the communicative intention, the addressee, the social environment, the language register, discourse conventions, cultural aspects, and the communication channel; 3.2. Will be able to analyze the languages studied and their literary and cultural phenomena at various levels, applying appropriate methods from linguistics, literary studies, and digital humanities; 3.3. Will be able to creatively apply knowledge in philology and informatics and use modern information technologies to create various types of multilingual digital content; 3.4. Will be able to use generative translation tools when processing various types of texts, as well as formulate requirements for information systems in order to ensure localization and internationalization, taking into account customer needs and the context of the system being created or updated; 3.5. Will know the most commonly used data formats and be able to find and adapt open data sources (sets) and create their own data sets when solving problems and using information technologies; 3.6. Will be able to define input and output using modern IT and/or AI-based tools; 3.7. Will be able to apply the principles of digital ethics when searching for data or program code solutions, using them, publishing them, or versioning them; 3.8. Will be able to present their own content to the public in order to contribute to the practical applicability of their studies to the needs of society; 4. General competencies of a university graduate: Communication and collaboration: 4.1. Will be able to integrate into an (interdisciplinary and/or multilingual) team in order to achieve a goal that transcends the boundaries of a single direction or worldview, and will be able to find solutions acceptable to all interested parties, organize the work of such a team, and lead it; Multiculturalism: 4.2. Will be aware of the fundamental values of their own and other surrounding cultures and the principles of transcultural communication, and will demonstrate respect and openness towards representatives of other cultures; Responsibility: 4.3. Will be able to plan time and resources, understanding the importance of personal responsibility and adhering to the principles of confidentiality with regard to sensitive information; Problem-solving and reflective thinking: 4.4. Will be able to identify problems and challenges arising in the fields of philology and informatics and at their intersection, critically assess the effectiveness and risks of possible solutions, and select the appropriate solution, either independently or with the help of others; 4.5. Will be able to consciously analyze interdisciplinary experience in order to achieve learning progress and improvement, and will be able to assess the impact of proposed solutions on society and the limitations of those solutions; Openness to change and creative thinking: 4.6. Will be aware of trends in philology and informatics and their intersection, their causes, challenges, and opportunities, will be able to adapt to change, and will understand the importance of openness to change for their learning, work, and career success; 4.7. Be able to generate original ideas and propose creative, innovative solutions by using knowledge of philology and informatics and integrating information from various sources. Activities of teaching and learning: The curriculum implements active, experiential, and technology-based teaching (and learning) methods: problem-based and challenge-based teaching, participatory and flipped lectures, seminars, case studies, discussions, debates, role-playing games, digital content writing, game-based teaching, peer feedback, mentoring, use of IT and AI tools, code tracing, simulations, data visualization, experiential teaching (trips to institutions), intercultural projects, reflection, learning diaries, portfolios. Classroom and independent work are effectively supplemented by virtual teaching (and learning) methods (mainly using the Moodle platform and MS Teams). Methods of assessment of learning achievements: The assessment strategy is based on formative qualitative assessment and cumulative criterion-based assessment. The final assessment for the subject is an examination, the Bachelor's Thesis Seminar is a pass/fail assessment, and the Bachelor Thesis is defended at an open BA thesis defense committee session. The self-assessment of the student's progress is consistently encouraged, and the peer assessment of students' work is also used. Framework: Study subjects (modules), practical training: Subjects that develop digital competences in philology: Language and Applied Informatics, Algorithms and Data Structures, Digital Content Writing, Basics of Mathematical Logic for Information Search, Project in Modern Search Engines, Man and Machine: History and Trends, Project in Multilingual Content Management, Data Management, Internet Technologies for Digital Communication, Project in Internet Technologies, Python for Humanities, Bachelor's Thesis Seminar, Bachelor Thesis, Internship. Subjects in linguistics: Contrastive Grammar: English and German I/III, Phonetics and Digital Speech Analysis: English and German, Contrastive Grammar: English and German II/III, Contrastive Grammar: English and German III/III. Subjects in literature and culture: Literatures in Dialogue (English and German), Society and Culture in the Digital Age: English-speaking World, Society and Culture in the Digital Age: German-speaking Countries, Transcultural Mediation. Subjects developing multilingual communication skills: Multilingual Proficiency in English and German I/IV, Multilingual Proficiency in English and German II/IV, Multilingual Proficiency in English and German III/IV, Multilingual Proficiency in English and German IV/IV, Research Communication in English and German. Specialisations: – Optional courses: In semesters 3–7, students will be able to customize their studies and use 30 credits freely by choosing: • any subject (module) offered by the Faculty of Philology and/or Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics; • any subject (module) offered by any other faculty of Vilnius University; • interdisciplinary subjects; • participate in academic exchanges (partial studies, internships). Distinctive features of a study programme: This English-language study program is interdisciplinary, connecting philology by language (main field) and informatics (another field). It is focused on maximizing the integration and continuous development of competences: competences in philology and informatics are linked through interdisciplinary subjects, while competences in two languages, literatures, and cultures (English and German) are linked through shared subjects. The program meets the needs of the future labor market and provides a solid foundation in humanities, with digital technology as an integral part. Access to professional activity or further study: Access to professional activity: This program will provide career opportunities in companies, institutions, and organizations that require the integration of English and German language and cultural competencies and IT skills, analytical, critical, and creative thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to ensure smooth communication between various interest groups. Graduates of this program will be able to work in customer relations, multilingual digital (cultural) communication, digital content creation, language technology and natural language processing (NLP), (IT) project coordination and/or management, digital transformation, data analysis, multilingual web content, and, to some extent, programming (as junior programmers). In addition, graduates of this program will be able to work independently, entering the labor market segment of services provided by a qualified workforce, and provide various services to businesses in the digital space, such as digital content creation (digital writing) and management, data analysis and management, consulting, education and training, and project management. Access to further study: Graduates of this program will be able to continue their studies at the MA level in English Studies, Languages for Specific Purposes (Law), Linguistics, Classical Studies, Semiotics, Languages and Cultures of the Nordic and Baltic Sea Region, Translation, Literary Anthropology and Culture, Intermedial Literary Studies, Public Discourse Linguistics, Audiovisual Translation, Media and Digital Publishing, Public Relations, International Communication, Informatics, Computer Modeling (after additional studies in informatics), and Software Engineering.