(MA) Master of Arts
American Literatures
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Masters
Part-time
None
MA T72024
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A 2:2 degree in one of the following subjects:
- American Studies
- Art History
- Creative Writing
- Film and Media Studies
- History
- Journalism
- Law
- Literature
- Modern Languages
- Music
- Performance Studies
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Sociology
- Theatre/Drama Studies
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum
component score of 6.5 in writing and 5.5 in all other components.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English
pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to
successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask
for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
You must complete all core and compulsory modules and the required number of optional modules (as noted on the full-time version of this course) during your two years of study. When you start your course, please contact your School or Department office to agree on the sequence in which you will take your core, compulsory and optional modules.
External examiners
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
1. To enhance (to deepen and extend) students' acquaintance with literary texts.
2. To provide nuanced and intellectually rigorous ways of thinking about interconnected American literatures.
3. To provide modules opening paths to areas of current scholarly and critical specialisation, particularly in American literatures.
4. To deepen the knowledge and to refine the skills which students bring with them from their first degrees.
5. To give students a structured introduction to advanced material and advanced perspectives in their fields of specialisation.
6. To encourage students to work independently as scholars in specific fields of investigation and to formulate and present a coherent and reflective view of their findings.
7. To provide a choice of courses to suit individual interests and needs.
8. To enhance students' career prospects.
9. To prepare qualified students for progression to doctoral research with a view to entering the academic profession.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: A range of literature in special subject areas
A2: Contexts for the study of the writers and writing taught
A3: Critical opinion and significant critical debates
A4: The interrelation of the writing studied with literary/critical thinking about it
A5: Advanced methods of critical analysis and argument
A6: Appropriate research techniques and methodologies
A7: Major cultural domains, literary contexts, & theoretical parameters within the following areas: U.S. Literature, Caribbean Literature, Postcolonial Studies, Migrant Literature, Translation and Comparative Literature, Modernism and Postmodernism, Literary and Cultural Theory.
A8: Advanced perspectives for the analysis and theorisation of relevant cultural domains, literary contexts & theoretical parameters
Learning methods
A1-8 are addressed in seminars and oral and written comments on essays and draft dissertations.
A6 is additionally addressed in special seminars.
Students are expected to pursue their understanding of course content and special topics through independent study and wide reading.
Tutors are available to offer advice in the adaptation of generic research techniques (6) to individual needs
Assessment methods
Formal assessment is by coursework (four essays - one for each module apart from LT901; a Secondary Literature Review + Dissertation Plan for LT901), and dissertation, the latter constituting the most significant form of assessment of the knowledge and understanding acquired. Essays are 4000-5000 words apiece. The dissertation is 15,000 words.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Question received thinking
B2: Think independently
B3: Analyse and evaluate data at advanced levels
B4: Reason critically in an environment of complex ideas
B5: Argue coherently and persuasively
B6: Adopt critical positions in reading complex texts and in writing on them
B7: Analyse and evaluate theoretical concepts at advanced levels
B8: Develop and sustain a critical argument over a sustained period of research
Learning methods
These skills are developed in:-
1. seminars
2. class presentations (which may form the basis of essays)
3. oral and written comments on essays
4. guided reading of secondary sources
Individual guidance is provided in close supervision of essays, of dissertation proposals, and of dissertations.
Assessment methods
Essays and dissertation. As well as being important pieces of work in themselves, the former are regarded as a form of progressive assessment leading to the writing of the dissertation.
C: Practical skills
C1: Organise, structure and present an argument in writing, putting forward clear critical positions
C2: Deploy an advanced vocabulary of special literary and critical terms
C3: Use basic theoretical terms
C4: Compile and present extended bibliographies
C5: Provide complex references according to accepted conventions
C6: Use libraries and IT to gain access to a variety of scholarly sources
C7: Write in a scholarly manner
Learning methods
This range of practical skills (1-7) is taught in seminars and developed through tutors' comments on essays, and in supervision of written work.
Guidance on skills 4-7 is provided on the module LT901 Research Methods.
Advice on writing essays and dissertations is given in the MA guide
Assessment methods
Essays and dissertations are assessed for all these skills
D: Key skills
D1: Clear, focused, relevant and effective written expression and oral communication
D2: Typing and word-processing skills; use of electronic library catalogues and email
D3: Use of relevant data and statistics in appropriate research contexts
D4: Management of projects and timetables. Finding, understanding and organising information.
D5: Ability to interact with others and to understand and grasp different perspectives
D6: Finding, understanding and organising information
Learning methods
This range of key skills (1-6) is developed during the preparation of coursework, and developed through tutors' comments on essays, and in supervision of written work.
1 and 5-6 are developed during seminar discussion.
Assessment methods
Essays and dissertations are assessed for all these skills