The program develops expertise in research skills, and in literary and critical approaches and theories. It deepens the student’s understanding of current debates in literary studies and fosters an awareness of the relationships between theory, textuality and identity.

Our concentration modules are supported and sustained by three foundational modules. Two of these are advanced topics in literary history. One concerns the representations of other worlds in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and the other women novelists of the nineteenth century. A third module looks at the developing theories and practices of literary scholarship in the eighteenth century. This complements the theoretical elements elsewhere in the program.

The interface modules attempt to extend the range of students’ exposure, and to explore the possibilities of interdisciplinary study. There are at present two of these, one which look at orientalism, and one which explores film and spectatorship. There is also the possibility for graduate students to take modules from other Departments in the Faculty.

Our level 6000 modules are tailored to the needs of research students, especially those doing PhDs. One is the Graduate Research Seminar, which is designed to introduce students to the approaches and expectations of professional researchers in literary studies. Another is Advanced Critical Reading, a module which equips students with essential theoretical knowledge and analytical skills. Research MA, as well as PhD, students are encouraged to take this. Finally, we have advanced seminars in different areas, which are organized each year to reflect the interests of the students.