ObjectivesThe newly introduced MA offers a flexible structure for students who wish to undertake postgraduate study in francophone and postcolonial studies. The course forms an ideal bridge between undergraduate study and postgraduate research, allowing the student to progress towards more independent research under the supervision of specialists in their field. The course is devised to suit either those students who intend to continue with their studies to PhD level, or those who want to study for an MA for its own interest. In-service teachers will find the course offers them a flexible way in which to update or extend their knowledge across the full range of French and Francophone Studies. Students who wish to proceed to take a PhD are required to have completed an MA course in order to acquire the necessary research skills in their chosen field of study. At Nottingham we require all MA students to follow a module of research training that is delivered jointly by staff within the department and the University Graduate School (which offers course of generic training).
Academic titleMA Francophone and Postcolonial Studies
Course descriptionKey facts
-The department has around 20 postgraduates following taught and research programmes each year.
-The Department of French and Francophone Studies was awarded an Excellent rating of 5A in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise.
-The department has an established record of past and present Special Professors. These have included such eminent scholars as Pascal Ory, Luce Irigaray, Jean Emelina and Peggy Kamuf, Françoise Lionnet and Michel Jeanneret.
Course Content
The MA course covers:
-One year (twelve months) of full-time postgraduate study, or two years of part-time study.
-Two courses of Guided Research under the supervision of the appropriate member or members of staff.
-On completion of the Guided Research modules, the preparation, under individual supervision, of a dissertation of 25,000 words (maximum) either relating to one of the areas already studied or to a new area of research.
-A module of research training in research methodology and presentation.
-Attendance, along with other postgraduate students, at the meetings of the regular French postgraduate work-in-progress seminars.
Course Structure
While some students may choose to study three discrete areas from the broad range of French Studies for their Guided Research and Dissertation topics, others may wish to specialise. Students who choose to specialise in the Francophone and postcolonial studies field of research expertise may graduate with the MA in Francophone and Postcolonial Studies.
The course is assessed by the submission of a 5,000 word essay for each of the modules of Guided Research and a dissertation of 25,000 words. The Research Training module is assessed on a Pass/Fail basis and requires the submission of a training portfolio, a written research proposal and an oral presentation.