MA Literature and Culture

This programme is your chance to gain in-depth knowledge and refine your critical skills through analysis of a wide-range of literary and cultural texts, including film and photography. During your time with us, you’ll learn in a lively, interdisciplinary research and teaching environment which will allow you to develop interesting and innovative approaches to your work and will encourage you to take critical and creative risks. Thinking and writing in different ways is a key feature of the programme.

You will also get out of the classroom and benefit from our links with local archives, cultural organisations and libraries, including the International Anthony Burgess Foundation, and the Working Class Movement Library.

You will develop confidence as you master literary and cultural theory, and will be stimulated by a range of research-led modules, taught by staff who will also guide you in your independent studies. You will enjoy taking on an active role in organising our MA Conference day, and sharing your work with your peers and mentors, and finally, you will reap the rewards of the taught elements of the programme as you identify the member of staff you want to work with and to pursue your own research project.

You will:

• learn in an interdisciplinary environment and learn to develop your own unique project.
• acquire specialist knowledge, and a range of practical skills.
• exploit our links with local archives, libraries and museums.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

Teaching for most modules takes place in weekly, two-hour seminars. Personal supervision is provided throughout the course and in support of the writing of the dissertation. The module Literary Research Practice is taught in three longer block sessions, with additional one-to-one supervisory sessions with a member of staff.

CAREER LINKS:

Our English subject directorate has links with the BBC at MediaCityUK. We also have links with local publishers and cultural organisations, including:

• Working Class Movement Library
• International Anthony Burgess Foundation
• The Portico
• Working Class Movement Museum
• The Central Library, Arts Council

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

This course would be suitable for graduates in the humanities who want either a broad-based master's qualification or who are looking for a disciplined introduction to further study at a PhD level.