MA in Myth, Literature, and the Unconscious
For enquiries please contact: Jane Thorp, Graduate Administrator, Department
of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
(thorj@essex.ac.uk
; 01206 872624)
The MA in Myth, Literature, and the Unconscious is an interdisciplinary
course drawing on the complementary expertise of the
Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre
Studies (LIFTS)
and the Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies (CPS). The course critically explores
a variety of theories of myth, both ancient and modern, but focuses on the depth
psychological theories of Freud and Jung, which postulate that the real subject
matter of myth is the unconscious mind. With these theoretical foci, the course
examines the role of myth in literature, with special emphases on mythic
representations of the city in western culture and the uses of myth in some of
the key texts of literary modernism, whose authors worked in an intellectual
milieu informed by the new depth psychologies.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- critically discuss ancient and modern theories of myth, especially as
these relate to literature;
- critically evaluate and apply, especially to literature, the depth
psychological theories of myth developed by Freud and Jung;
- compare diverse treatments of a particular mythic theme;
- explain the uses of myths in modernist texts, especially in relation to
depth psychological concepts;
- creatively explore some of the challenges and opportunities of working
in an interdisciplinary way with literary and psychoanalytic studies;
- define and research an area of special interest.
Course structure:
Module 1: LT919 Interpretation of Myth [LiFTS; autumn term]: This module
will explore the interpretation of myth from antiquity to the present. It will
consider philosophical, theological, psychological and anthropological readings
of myth and will examine the work of, amongst others, Plato, Philo, Eliade,
Cassirer, Frazer, Campbell, Graves, Freud and Blumenberg. There will also be an
overview of the classification of myth and an introduction to the concepts of
theogony, aetiology, eschatology, and solar and vegetation myths.
Module 2: PA971 The Mythological Psyche[CPS;
autumn term]: This module will examine in depth some of Jung's key texts on
myth. It will critically explore Jung's theory of myth and its application,
especially to literature, and will also attend to the mythopoeic dimension of
Jung's own writing.
Module 3: LT920 Cities and the Sacred [LiFTS;
spring term]: This module will explore the myth of the city; its foundation,
presiding deities, fate and transformation. Employing an interdisciplinary
approach, the module will look at a wide range of theoretical readings, and will
examine the representation of the city in art and literature. Specific cities
will be studied including Rome, Athens, Troy and Jerusalem, as well as the ideal
city of Plato and St. Augustine's 'City of God'.
Module 4: PA977 Dreams and Myths [CPS; spring term]: This module will
explore the psychoanalytic concepts of the unconscious, defence, repression, the
pleasure and reality principles, dreaming; and will extend them to Freud's and
his co-workers' understanding of myth.
Module 5: LT921 Myth and Modernism: Joint seminar in
myth, literature, and depth psychology[LiFTS and CPS; fortnightly in autumn
and spring terms]: This module will focus on some of the key texts of literary
modernism to explore the relationship between myth, literature, and depth
psychology as well as some of the challenges and opportunities of working in an
interdisciplinary way with literary and psychoanalytic studies.
Dissertation
Teaching methods and assessment:
The course will be taught by means of tutor-led seminars and structured
independent study.
The course is assessed by four 5,000-word essays (one each for modules 1 to 4),
one 4,000-word essay plus a 20-minute oral presentation (for module 5), and a
20,000-word dissertation.
Entry qualifications:
Applicants should have a good first degree (first class or upper second class)
in a relevant discipline or demonstrable equivalent ability.
Students whose first language is not English would normally be expected to
demonstrate English language proficiency to at least the following levels: iBT
89, TOEFL (computer) 230, or IELTS 6.5.
Course fees:
Information about current tuition fess can be found at:
http://www.essex.ac.uk/fees/pgt.aspx
Part-time students will pay fees on a pro-rata basis for the current academic
year. It is possible to pay fees by termly instalments.
For details of financial support please see the booklet Introduction to the
Graduate School or visit:
http://www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance/
How to apply:
Please contact Jane Thorp, Graduate Administrator, Department of Literature,
Film, and Theatre Studies
(thorj@essex.ac.uk; 01206 872624).