English Literature combines theoretical study of different genres from poetry to drama to fiction. It offers the opportunity to read widely. The aim of this intellectually challenging course is to develop a sophisticated understanding and interpretation of the relationship between the text and its historical and cultural context. Texts are drawn from broad historical periods and cultural settings. The course will develop advanced and progressive evaluative skills of current critical arguments through lectures, seminars, collaborative work and independent study. Year one will start with interdisciplinary and thematic textual analysis through an introduction to narrative, poetry and literary theory such as Marxism and Feminism. Year Two will include a selection of more specialised modules such as Shakespeare, the 18th century novel, Victorian and contemporary literature as well as a dissertation.

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