Comparative Literature

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Comparative Literature compares literatures in western European languages from antiquity to modernity alongside selected literatures from Africa, the Middle East, China and South Asia. Core courses on Comparative Methodology and Theory. An ideal foundation for research and careers in teaching, journalism, the arts.

KEY BENEFITS
* Modules that cross period boundaries in adventurous ways.
* Coherent emphasis on the literature of the West and its empires
* Student body from a wide range of countries (eight in 2008)
* Located in the heart of London.

PURPOSE
For graduates of English or a language-specific degree. To develop literary (and, as applicable, language) skills to an advanced level and to provide a critical understanding of literature in a broad, comparative context.

DESCRIPTION
At the heart of the academic programme is a range of specially designed comparative modules. Core modules introduce the practice, methodology and theory of comparative literary studies. Further comparative modules allow a detailed focus on comparative aspects of literary themes, genres, and historical periods, while the dissertation also has a comparative focus. One free elective may be taken, and the Modern Language Centre provides modules at all appropriate levels to enable development of existing language skills.

STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content

* Dissertation

Indicative non-core content

Compulsory modules:

* Dissertation
* Literature Across Cultures: Contemporary Debates



Indicative list of optional modules:

* Comedy in Theory
* Melancholia and Hypochondria in 18th Century European Literature
* The World Novel
* Surrealism and Visuality
* Translation, Colonialism, Postcolonialism
* Culture, Dissent and the Arab Spring
* The Worlding of Chinese Literary Modernity: New Critical Interventions
* Narrating Illness Across Cultures
* CP Cavafy: The Making of a Modernist
* Conflict, Memory and Resistance in African Literature

Electives from English, US, Australian, French, Francophone African, Spanish and Latin American, German, Portuguese, Lusophone African, Brazilian, Modern Greek, Ancient Greek and Latin Literature.

FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
Taught core and optional modules assessed mostly by coursework, sometimes by examination, plus a compulsory dissertation which accounts for 33 per cent of the total marks.

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree (or overseas equivalent) in an appropriate subject, such as in history, politics, international relations or languages. English Language Requirements CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 80 (Grade A)

Self-funded, AHRC.