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Introduction
This is a new MA programme building on the thriving undergraduate programme in Comparative Literature at Queen Mary. This field, sometimes also understood as comparative cultural studies, has since its beginnings recognised the realities of cultural movement, of exchange and dialogue. At its centre is the notion of 'world literature' along with attention to cultural, philosophical and theoretical questions.
Comparative Literature belongs to those areas of cultural study which prepare us to deal with a globalised or globalising world. It aims to recognise and articulate the specific identities of national literatures and cultural traditions on the one hand, while also exploring the boundaries between cultures and the meaning of cultural differences on the other. Scholars working in the field of Comparative Literature have always recognised the realities of cultural movement, of cultural exchange and dialogue, and of the necessity of participating in topical interdisciplinary and theoretical discourses. The transnational reception of literature and of other cultural production has been a central concern since the field’s inception. Processes of adaptation (for example, from novel to film), as well as the relations between word/image and word/music are also focal points. The field is informed by philosophy, by literary and cultural theory as well as, increasingly, by translation studies and postcolonial studies.
Students choosing this MA will come from varied backgrounds such as Foreign Languages, English, Philosophy, Classics, History and Cultural Geography. Knowledge of one or more foreign languages would be desirable but is not presently required.
One year full-time, two years part-time.
The curriculum consists of a core module, running over two terms, which deals with the history and nature of Comparative Literature as a discipline and which examines interdisciplinary, cross-national approaches to literature and critical theory.
You will enjoy some flexibility in your choice of modules, while at the same time benefiting from the guidance of your tutor to ensure coherence in your studies. Whichever topics you study, you will have the opportunity to develop your academic writing skills. Research skills and training are an integral part of the MA.
You will also choose two optional modules from a selection which may include:
- Key Concepts in Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism
- Novels Behaving Badly
- Thinking Translation
- Reading Images: Painting, Photography, Film
- In Pursuit of Prejudice? Mutual Perceptions of Identity
- Anglo German Aesthetics in the “Long” Eighteenth Century
- Anglo-German Travel Writing
- Freedom and the Passions in Early Modern Literature and Philosophy
- The French Avantgarde
- The Myth of Orpheus
- Orientalism in European Literature
- Small Worlds: Global Approaches to Children's Literature'
A student may be permitted to take one single-semester option offered as part of another MA programme within the Faculty of Arts provided that the MA convenor agrees that this would be beneficial for your intellectual development and research plans. In the case of options outside the School, admission to such courses requires the further agreement of the course convenor. The following modules have been made available from other MA programmes within the Faculty:
- European Jewish Literature
Leo Baeck MA in European Jewish History
Department of History - Romantic Manifestos
MA in English Literature
School of English and Drama
Modules will normally each require a written essay of 4,000 words for each option and two 4,000 word essays for the core module, along with a dissertation of 10,000 words, which counts for one-third of the overall mark.
Entry requirements
You will need a first class or good upper second class honours degree in an area such as comparative literature, languages, English, philosophy, classics, and history. Knowledge of one or more languages other than English is desirable, though presently not a pre-requisite. Applications from graduates from other countries are welcome. Where English is not your first language, you will need to be highly proficient in English for academic purposes. Please see the International students section for more information.
Further information:
Please visit our postgraduate studies page for more information on postgraduate study in the School.
For informal enquiries, please contact:
Professor Leonard Olschner
Programme Convenor
Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 8320
Email: l.m.olschner@qmul.ac.uk
How to apply
For details on how to apply please visit the how to apply section on our postgraduate studies page.