(MA) Master of Arts
Literature
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Masters
Part-time
None
MA Q20024
28/11/2012
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A degree with an overall 2:1.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5 except for 6.5 in writing
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
None
External examiners
Dr Rebecca Katherine Tillett
Senior Lecturer
The University of East Anglia
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
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
A8: Advanced perspectives for the analysis and theorisation of relevant cultural domains, literary contexts & theoretical parameters
Learning methods
1-8 are addressed in seminars and oral and written comments on essays and draft dissertations.
6 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) 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 20,000 words.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Question received thinking
B2: To think independently and to make connections between familiar and new ideas
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 esays)
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.
The former are regarded essentially 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 in special seminars on techniques and methodology.
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
D4: Management of projects and timetables. Finding, understanding and organising information.
D5: Ability to grasp other points of view
D6: Finding, understanding and organising information
Learning methods
The five relevant key skills are implicit throughout the degree.
1, 2 & 4 are employed in essays.
1, 5 & 6 are employed in seminars.
6 is expected over the term of any course.
Skill in oral communication is developed through seminar discussion.
This involves both the ability to build an argument, ability to "read" an argument put during discussion, and the ability to respond effectively.
Assessment methods
Essays and dissertations are assessed for qualities that incorporate all these skills.