Literary Studies: Pathway in Critical Theory MA

This pathway of our MA Literary Studies degree gives you the chance to study critical literary and cultural theory. You'll look at a range of theoretical issues in literary and cultural theory from the turn of the twentieth century to the present day. This starts with Nietzsche and includes thinkers and theorists like Freud, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty, Blanchot, Derrida, Benjamin and Adorno. You'll also look at structuralism, gender, and postcolonial theory. The main focus will be on the relationship of theory to literary and cultural criticism but you will also be able to concentrate on theoretical concepts in their own right. You'll develop transferable skills, including: enhanced communication and discussion skills in written and oral contexts; the ability to analyse and evaluate different textual materials; the ability to organise information; the ability to assimilate and evaluate competing arguments. Graduates of this programme have gone on to pursue careers in: publishing; journalism; public relations; teaching; advertising; the civil service; business; industry; the media.

Students should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in a relevant/related subject. Students might also be considered for some programmes if they aren’t a graduate or their degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that students have the ability to work at postgraduate level.