COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA in English Language and Literature at Sussex provides an interdisciplinary and flexible approach to studying language, literature, and culture. In the first year, students build a solid foundation through core modules such as language and interaction, how language works, and exploring literary texts, while also examining the historical and cultural contexts of writing before globalization. In the second year, students deepen their understanding of language in society, explore global modernisms, and choose from options including literature and philosophy, postcolonial texts, the art of short fiction, history of English, and 21st-century literature and culture, allowing them to tailor their studies to their interests. The third year focuses on independent research through dissertations in English Language or Literature and a wide range of optional modules, including forensic linguistics, championing literacy, posthuman and premodern studies, African American literature, Virginia Woolf, and decolonization in writing and literature. Throughout the degree, students develop critical, analytical, and practical skills, applying linguistic and literary theory to real-world contexts. The program encourages interdisciplinary thinking, creativity, and engagement with social, cultural, and political issues, preparing graduates for careers in media, education, research, communications, and other fields requiring strong analytical and communication skills, as well as the ability to navigate complex cultural and linguistic landscapes.