COURSE CURRICULUM

In the English Literature degree, your first year is designed to build a strong foundation in reading, writing, and critical analysis. You will explore a wide array of literature that spans centuries, cultures, and genres. From contemporary writers like Terrance Hayes and Inua Ellams to ancient epics such as Homer’s The Odyssey, the modules encourage you to think deeply about how literature reflects and shapes the world. Alongside these texts, you’ll examine the global evolution of the English language and how colonial histories have influenced literary expression across borders. This year also emphasizes different approaches to literary criticism, helping you develop the tools needed to construct persuasive arguments and interpret texts from diverse perspectives. You’ll have opportunities to reflect on the act of reading itself and possibly dip into creative-critical writing or explore complementary humanities disciplines.In your second year, the curriculum opens up significantly, allowing you to tailor your studies according to your interests. With no compulsory modules, you can focus on periods, authors, or themes that fascinate you. You are encouraged to engage with literature written before 1789, offering the chance to dive into works by medieval poets, early modern playwrights, and pioneering women writers. There are also options that look beyond British literature, expanding your understanding through global and postcolonial perspectives. Whether you want to sharpen your critical voice, explore creative writing, or take modules with an interdisciplinary edge, this year is about developing your identity as a literary scholar and writer.By the third year, you will choose from a wide selection of specialist modules tied to the research strengths of your lecturers. These modules give you the chance to study specific genres, periods, and theoretical frameworks in depth. Whether you focus on feminist literature, Renaissance drama, or experimental fiction, you’ll gain a richer understanding of your chosen areas. You may also opt to undertake a dissertation, working closely with a tutor on a topic that truly excites you. This final year is a culmination of your literary journey, offering freedom and depth as you prepare for life beyond university.