Following the introduction of new university degrees in the framework of the European Higher Education Area, the Degree in Catalan Philology was redesigned to become the Degree of Philology Catalan and Occitan Studies of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Lleida. Although the new course programme is similar to the previous Degree in Catalan Philology, one major change has been introduced. Namely, the curriculum was extended to include the study of Occitan language and literature, since Occitan is the second official language of Catalonia, in addition to being spoken in La Vall d’Aran. The new Degree in Philology Catalan and Occitan Studies gives students greater opportunities, since it leads to a wider range of possible future careers. Furthermore, students will now be able to conduct research into Occitan, as well as into Catalan language and literature.
The training given on the Degree in Philology Catalan and Occitan Studies has various aims. In the field of EXPRESSION, it aims to ensure students are able to express themselves to a high degree of competence so that they can go on to take postgraduate courses in Catalan and Occitan (or in Spanish or English). In the case of TEACHING, the Degree trains students to teach Catalan and Occitan as co-official languages in the region, as well as to teach literature in these languages. In the field of RESEARCH, it prepares students to take postgraduate courses in linguistic and literary disciplines, as well as to conduct research projects. In the fields of LINGUISTIC PLANNING AND MEDIATION, the course is designed to enable students to carry out linguistic planning processes both in the public and private sectors. Based on the knowledge gained of the socio-linguistic dimensions of Catalan and Occitan, graduates will be able to perform linguistic mediation functions in intercultural contexts. Similarly, in the field of LANGUAGE CONSULTANCY, the Degree aims to train students to carry out tasks involving giving linguistic advice about Catalan and Occitan in the civil service, companies and private institutions. In the case of MANAGEMENT OF LINGUISTIC AND LITERARY HERITAGE, it trains students to analyse and evaluate the heritage of Catalan and Occitan language and literature, despite the challenge posed by computing. Finally, in the field of the PUBLISHING SECTOR AND THE MEDIA, the Degree in Philology Catalan and Occitan Studies enables graduates to pursue a career in the world of publishing and the media related to style correction, editing and linguistic and literary consultancy.