MA in English Literature and Comparative Cultural Studies, University of Cyprus

The master's program in English Literature and Comparative Cultural Studies is designed for students who wish to undertake research in literature, with particular emphasis on theoretical, cross-cultural, comparative, and interdisciplinary perspectives. Students may explore cross-cultural dimensions within English Studies, or Anglophone literature in relation to literature in other languages. Intergeneric approaches to literature are also encouraged. Courses examine recent developments in theoretical tendencies and cultural analysis primarily in relation to literary texts but also with respect to the other arts, drawing from disciplines such as psychology, anthropology, sociology, history, and philosophy. You can download the program's leaflet here - http://www.ucy.ac.cy/eng/documents/MAPHD__literature_febr_2015_co.pdf.

Graduates of the program will be able to demonstrate:

• advanced knowledge and understanding of a broad spectrum of critical and methodological approaches to texts, and the ability to develop complex interpretations of literary and related texts, often in interdisciplinary contexts;

• knowledge of a broad social, cultural, and historical framework of the development of relevant literature(s);

• knowledge of a broad range of core literary and related texts relevant to the field of study, and of their interpretations;

• ability to communicate ideas in accordance with professional standards and conventions of academic writing, with a view to contributing to the development of knowledge;

• ability to demonstrate autonomy and responsibility in the delivery of work in a manner transferable to a range of professional contexts;

• ability to think and articulate ideas creatively.

(Objectives adopted from SQF HUMART http://www.unideusto.org/tuningeu/sqf-humanities-and-arts.html)

The MA in English & Comparative Cultural Studies offers a variety of courses within a set of four broader rubrics that represent the philosophy and objectives of the program. Individual course offerings will be drawn from the following four rubrics and may vary from one cycle of the MA to another. The program covers two semesters of study and the requirement for the MA degree is 90 ECTS points. In each semester of study, students are required to register for three courses of 10 ECTS each. Before the end of the second semester of study, students develop and submit their thesis proposals under the guidance of an assigned supervisor and are expected to complete their thesis during the summer.

I) Issues in (Early) Modernity & Postmodernity
ENG707 The Problem of Subjectivity in Postmodern Theory and Literature
ENG716 The Sublime
ENG718 Space and Cultural Mobility in Postmodern Theory and Literature
ENG719 Space & Cultural Production

II) Narrative, History & Ideology
ENG711 Literature, Society and Revolution in the Early Modern Period
ENG713 Gender, Sexuality & Subjectivity in Early Modern Literature & Culture
ENG714 Literature and the Art of Living
ENG721 Nation and Narrative

III) Discourse, Politics & Society
ENG705 The Animal in Literature and Philosophy
ENG709 Imagined Worlds: The Nineteenth Century
ENG712 Friendship in Philosophy & Literature
ENG720 Seminar in Contemporary Feminist Theory: Debates on Ethics & Politics

IV) Comparative Studies & World Literature
ENG700 Aesthetics and Literature: From Romanticism to Postmodernism
ENG710 Comparative Studies in World Literature and Culture
ENG717 Translation in World Literature & Culture

Admission Requirements and Application

Candidates must hold a degree in a subject related to their proposed field of study and be competent in English. Competency in English can be demonstrated through a certificate from a recognized examining board. Candidates with a degree in English are exempt from this requirement. Candidates with no certificate from an established examining institution can take the Department's English Language Proficiency Exam.

The list of items accompanying applications includes:

· a filled-out formal application sheet ( application sheets can be obtained online at http://applications.ucy.ac.cy/postgraduate_appl/MNG_USER_en.login_frm),

· a certified copy of the BA Degree (or an official document certifying that the student will have graduated before the start of the Programme), plus a certified copy of the BA Degree script,

· a full CV in English,

· the student's initial statement of purpose (1-2 pages),

· writing samples in English, and

· min. 2 letters of recommendation

The candidates may also be required to participate in an interview in order to assess their suitability for the program.

Projected Number of students: at most 10

Assessment

Each taught course is usually evaluated through a continuous assessment which may include a midterm exam, a final exam, a research paper, and various others assignments. Students are also required to write a 15,000-word thesis on some aspect of English Literature and Comparative Cultural Studies.