Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Cultural Studies (MA - MRes)
ObjectivesThese programmes offer the possibility of following advanced study in the histories of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American cultures in the light of contemporary theoretical developments in the fields of literature, cultural studies, cultural geography, film and the history of art and media. You may specialise in either Spain and Portugal or Latin America, as well as in different historical periods and media, or combine interests. Many students will take the MA degree as a first step to doctoral research. You can also follow the degree to enhance your career prospects or simply for interest. If you already have a comfortable grounding in Iberian and/or Latin American cultural history and critique, the MRes provides a more structured and progressive research training programme which is particularly tailored for doctoral study or a research career in the public sector.
Entry requirementsEntry requirements First- or second-class BA honours degree with Spanish or Portuguese as a main component, though other applicants considered (degree-level Spanish or Portuguese is normally required). Two letters of reference and a sample of written work in support of the application normally required. A qualifying essay in English, Spanish or Portuguese may be requested.
Academic titleSpanish, Portuguese and Latin American Cultural Studies (MA / MRes)
Course descriptionMA
-Two theory courses (15 credits each): Cultural History/Visual Culture; -Cultural Critique.
Three special options (30 credits each) from a range including: Time, Memory and Writing in Twentieth-Century Peru; Photography and the Brazilian Image -World 1840–1950; Literature and Dictatorship in Latin America; Not Just for -Children – Critical Approaches to Spanish and Latin American Comics; Images of the State – Eva Perón; Questions of Representation in Modern Spanish -Culture; Collecting Identity – Exhibiting the Nation in Latin America. If you wish, one of your options may be chosen from another relevant MA programme at Birkbeck or replaced by a module of directed reading.
-Research Skills (0 credits).
-Dissertation (60 credits).
Teaching
Lectures and seminars, student presentations.
Assessment MA: A 3500-word essay and a 1500-word critical review for the theory modules; a 5000-word essay for each special option; a critical essay for Research Skills; and a 15,000-word dissertation (due 1 September of final year).
MRes: A 3500-word essay and a 1500-word critical review for the theory modules; a critical essay for Research Skills; a dissertation report for the Dissertation Workshop; and a 30,000-word dissertation (due 1 September of final year).