ObjectivesThe MA in Modern Literary cultures offers you the chance to explore the representation of different cultural themes across a range of diverse texts: globalisation, the American West, the working class and debates about desire and sexuality in the 1890s.
Academic titleModern Literary Cultures MA, PgD, PgC
Course descriptionThis programme is intended to look at the representation of particular cultural issues across a range of texts. You will be asked to consider the representation of a particular topic or concept in a range of texts across time and to ask how these representations respond to each other and to the changing political and social circumstances for the text. You will also be asked to consider how a range of texts from a short historical period respond differently to a shared set of historical circumstances. Modules ask you to engage with the major contemporary theoretical and critical issues in modern literary studies.
For the MA, you take three 30-credit modules, two 15-credit research methods modules, plus a dissertation (equivalent to four 15-credit modules). The Postgraduate Diploma requires three 30-credit modules (plus the research methods modules) and the Postgraduate Certificate requires two 30-credit modules. Assessment of modules is normally by coursework, either two pieces of about 2-3,000 words, or one piece of 4-5,000 words.
The English Literature subject group organises a range of literary activities including visits from influential speakers. Recently, these have included talks by the film writer Tony Grounds and the poet Frieda Hughes.
Careers
The advanced research skills the programme gives you are of value in a wide range of careers.
Teaching methods
Assessment is normally by coursework only. Taught modules require either two pieces of coursework of approximately 2-3,000 words, or one piece of coursework of 4-5,000 words.
The dissertation is an extended piece of research, normally 15,000 words in length.
Course content
Year 1 - full details
Core modules
-Literature Dissertation
-Literature Research Methods 1: Critical and Theoretical Debates
-Literature Research Methods 2: Advanced Research Skills
Optional modules
-Poetic Cultures
-Studies in the fin-de-siecle: Late nineteenth Century Cultures