MA English Literature: University of Westminster

Introduction

This course offers the opportunity for the advanced study of English literature in a modern university environment with the additional resources of London's rich cultural life. The course team consists of academic specialists who make use of the many nearby museums, galleries and libraries in their teaching. The course will interest students wishing to prepare for further study at MPhil or PhD level and those teaching English wanting to gain a further qualification and investigate recent and current developments in the field.

Course Content

The course is organised around the themes of reading and re-reading, and reading and interpretation. It provides study of a range of periods and issues in literature, to place literary texts in cultural contexts and to read them alongside the critical history of literature. The course consists of two core modules and four option modules, plus the dissertation of 12-15,000 words which is written at the end of the course. Reading/Re-Reading modules comprise an examination of classic and contemporary critical texts on literature in relation to ideas in larger contexts, such as history, the visual image, gender, psychoanalysis and post-colonialism. Literary texts are then read from the perspective of the critical texts.

Options, choose four from: Reading London

• Reading the 1990s: Politics and Prizes
• Reading the Nation
• Re-Reading Modernism
• Special Author/Topic
• Victorian Explorations

Teaching and Assessment

The course is assessed by essays, other written assignments and oral presentations. There are no formal exams.

Associated Careers

The course is particularly relevant to those employed in a range of professions, including English teachers wishing to update their professional skills, and professional researchers. The part-time option would appeal to those interested in studying English literature for career development and general interest.

Entry Requirements

• You are required to have a good Honours degree in a relevant subject, or an officially recognised equivalent.
• If your first language is not English you must be able to demonstrate that you have a level equivalent to at least 7.0 in each area of the IELTS exam.