Objectives
In this degree programme half of your studies will be in English Literature and the other half in the vocationally oriented field of Creative Writing. It is designed to give you the skills and knowledge you will need for a range of graduate careers and you will also develop the skills necessary to make a platform for a career in writing. This could mean journalism, poetry, fiction, biography, autobiography, writing for the internet, or writing a novel. The programme is built around various modules in literature, critical theory and creative writing. It is designed to develop your analytical abilities, historical knowledge, interpretative and critical skills, as well as offering the chance to develop your writing through a range of writing modules. Our enthusiastic literature staff are all engaged in research and scholarly activity in their specialist fields. Creative Writing is taught by practising writers, with twin careers in teaching and writing. They are, therefore, well placed to advise students. Our students and staff enjoy a lively and productive working environment where there are many opportunities to get involved in performance and readings of their work. We provide a diverse but coherent experience of the wide variety of approaches, issues and skills that comprise an English Literature and Creative Writing programme for the 21st century.
Course description
Course Structure
At foundation level you follow a programme of core modules in literature, covering both traditional literary genres, and more recent additions to the wider definition of literary practice, such as popular literature, film and other cultural products. You will also be introduced to different critical and historical approaches to literature. Creative writing modules include Introduction to Creative Writing and Language, Literature and Creativity. These will offer you foundation level work in poetry, short fiction writing, travel writing, studies in creativity, self-reflective commentary on the creative process and contextual issues central to the writer’s life.
At Intermediate Level you will take core modules to further your understanding of critical and cultural theory, and knowledge of literary historical periods, including 18th Century Literature, Victorian Issues, 20th Century Fiction, and Renaissance and Revolutions: English Literature 1580-1700. The Creative Writing strand also continues, helping you develop your writing. Students in this year explore Writing Beyond the Page, as well as developing techniques for writing poems and short stories.
At Honours Level you will write a project on a subject chosen in consultation with staff, and take literature modules on a topic based on the current research interests of staff. These currently include Renaissance Drama, The Rise of the Novel, British Romanticism, Women’s Writing and Feminist Theory, and City Narratives. At the same time, the Creative Writing strand will explore experimental techniques in narrative, and will allow you to develop innovative techniques introduced at Intermediate Level, leading to more substantially developed pieces of work in genres of your choice.
Also, English Literature with a Modern Language BA, English Literature with Creative Writing BA, English Literature with Journalism BA.
