Popular Literature

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This course offers an opportunity for the advanced study of popular literature and its strange place within modern culture. It will trace the history of such popular genres as horror, science fiction, romance, and detective fiction, and offer a comprehensive introduction to contemporary theories of the popular.

Participants will also choose from a range of specialist options on particular aspects of the popular, and study research methods. This M.Phil. will provide an invaluable base for those who wish to do further graduate study, but will also appeal to those who wish to develop their critical skills and knowledge in relation to an important aspect of contemporary culture.

The School of English has a large and active cohort of research students (some 50 in the current session), and two other taught Master's courses. Participants in this new M.Phil., the only one of its kind in these islands, will be part of a long-established and vigorous academic community.

A weekly staff-graduate research seminar offers a lively forum for debate and the exchange of ideas. Postgraduates of the School of English routinely go on to further research and successful careers, in the academy and other fields.

The course lasts for one academic year (September-September) and requires full-time study. It comprises three elements: (1) a core course meeting twice a week for two hours over two terms; (2) option courses meeting once a week for two hours - participants will take one per term; (3) the research methods course, which meets for two hours per week during the first term.

Assessment:

Assessment is by a combination of coursework and dissertation. These are broken down as follows:

* Dissertation (40%): 15,000 words, to be supervised by an appropriate member of staff
* Core Course (30%): 2 essays of 5,000 words
* Options (30%): 2 essays of 5,000 words
* In addition, all M.Phil students must achieve a passing grade in their essay for the research methods course (although this mark does not affect their final grade)

Students must pass the dissertation component of the degree in order to be awarded an M.Phil.

Option courses offered during 2009/10 included:*

* Mapping the Myths of Mars (with Dr Kate Hebblethwaite)
* Victorian Children's Literature (with Dr Jarlath Killeen)
* The Western (with Professor Stephen Matterson)
* Cybercultures (with Professor Brenda Silver)
* American Nightmares: Horror in Film and Fiction from 1950 to the Present (with Dr Bernice M. Murphy)
* British Horror (with Dr Darryl Jones)
* Tolkein (with Dr Helen Conrad O'Briain)
* Theorising White Masculinity in American Literature (Dr Marisa Ronan)

*Prospective students should note that both the option and core course seminars offered will change from one academic year to the next.

Applicants are normally expected to have a good honors degree (at least of upper second standard) or an equivalent qualification.English language requirements: * IELTS: Grade 6.5 * TOEFL: 230-computer based, 570 paper based * Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English: Grade C * Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: Grade C English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 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) TOEFL paper-based test score : 570