Postgraduate Study
The Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies offers a wide range
of challenging courses at MA level, making full use of its collective expertise.
Students can follow one of a number of special routes through the year, or they
can choose their own combination from the
full
range of courses on offer.This is a one-year scheme, though it can
also be taken part-time over two years. The basic MA structure consists of five
ten-week courses (20 credits each), two in the autumn term and two in the
spring, with the core Research Methods course running fortnightly through the
year.One essay is written for each of the first four courses, with the
Research Methods course assessed principally by the dissertation project.
A 20,000 word dissertation (80 credits) is written between April and September.
One of the autumn term courses,
The Study of Literature Today (LT900), is a required course taken by all MA
in Literature students.
For 2009-10 there are expected to be seven special routes, listed below.
Click on each of them for more information:
You follow one of these routes by taking -- in addition to the core and
required courses -- two courses from a recommended list, and writing a
dissertation in that area (the fifth course can be chosen from any of the other
departmental courses on offer).You can, however, also
create your own route by choosing three options from the
full
range of courses on offer to add to the required and core courses. You
then write a dissertation on a subject of your choice.
The core course,
Research Methods in Literary and Cultural Analysis (LT901) is taught
fortnightly over the year. Other courses are taught in weekly, two-hour
seminars, the format of which may include introductions given by the tutor,
presentations given by students, and discussion, based on a programme of
reading. There is normally considerable freedom for students to choose the
topics of their essays and dissertation. Students are issued with an MA Guide
giving detailed advice on writing at MA level. Written work is supervised by
appropriate specialist staff.
Study groups are of suitable size to encourage individual participation.
Students come from a variety of backgrounds with a wide range of experience. The
international dimension of the group means that there is always a stimulating
diversity of approach in discussion.
Full course descriptions and preliminary reading lists are sent to students
who have accepted offers of a place during the summer before they begin their
studies.
We also offer an
MA by
Dissertation and
research opportunities in the form of
PhD or
MPhil programmes.
Students who prefer a shorter period of commitment can follow four courses
and write four coursework essays, but do not go on to a dissertation. They would
then be awarded a Diploma in Literature.