Modern and Contemporary Literary Studies (M.Phil. / P.Grad.Dip.)

The course offers three core modules. Across two semesters, Perspectives in Modern and Contemporary Literature covers a wide range of texts and genres from 1800 to the present, from poetry and fictional prose to life-writing and the graphic novel. The one-semester Mapping the Literary Field module examines how the production, mediation and reception of texts has constituted the literary field. Further foundational grounding in issues of importance to studying and researching English literature at postgraduate level is provided through the Research Skills for Postgraduate English module.

Students also take two specialist option modules, reflecting our commitment to cutting-edge research-led teaching. Options may include: Modern and Contemporary American Novels; Shedunnit: Women’s Crime Writing; Opening the Book – Writing and Visual Art in a Postcolonial Context; Contemporary Literary Non-Fiction. A range of options from other M.Phil. programmes, including in Children’s Literature, Irish Writing, Screen Studies, and Gender Studies, will also be available.

In the final phase of the course, students will complete a dissertation of 15,000-16,000 words, allowing them to pursue in-depth research on a subject of their choice under the supervision of an appropriate member of the faculty.