English Studies: Writing in the Modern Age

Writing in the Modern Age examines how modernism and modern writing have encountered a range of intellectual debates in areas such as politics, art history, philosophy, psychoanalysis, theology, postcolonialism, and critical theory. Through reflecting on the dynamic relationships between these different discourses, the pathway will provide you with a series of tools for thinking about the nature, status, and role of literature in the modern world. All students take Modernism and After, a core module which addresses the concepts of modernity and post-modernity, and provides a critical introduction to modernist theory and writing. You will also be given the chance to choose from a range of modules. These research-led modules have been specially designed to reflect the current scholarly interests of academics within the Department. Such an arrangement is mutually beneficial: it provides staff with the opportunity to discuss and debate their latest work, and students with the chance to come into contact with cutting-edge research by leading specialists. Programme outline You will take the core module Modernism and After in semester one. You will also take three optional modules (one of which may be from another pathway) from a list which may include: Freud and Proust Imagining the Modern Caribbean Modernism and Ireland Cultural Legacies of the First World War Writing the East End Aestheticism and the Fin-de-Siècle Literature African Literary and Textual Cultures Postcolonialism, Language and Identity Assessment Coursework (67 per cent) - each module is assessed via a 4,000 word essay Dissertation (33 per cent) - a dissertation of 15,000 words Entry requirements Most applicants will have an undergraduate degree with a first or good upper second class honours (or the equivalent) in English or such related fields as History, Cultural Studies and Media Studies. Where a North American marking scheme is used, applicants should have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.5. Promising applicants who do not meet the formal academic criteria but who possess relevant credentials and who can demonstrate their ability to produce written work at Masters level will also be considered. Applicants may be invited to interview or asked to submit examples of written and/or creative work. We welcome applications from mature and non-traditional students.