About this course
This exciting new programme combines modules from our established English Literature programme with more specialised study of Drama. Your learning experience will be enhanced by our collaborative relationships with two local theatres – the Everyman & Playhouse and Shakespeare North – and the involvement of theatre practitioners, which offers valuable practical experiences to students.
Introduction
Alongside the diverse and engaging modules available on the BA English Literature programme, you will have the opportunity to explore dramatic texts from a wide range of eras, culture and genres, thinking about the texts in terms of ‘close reading’ their literary styles and techniques, as well as thinking about the wider social and historical contexts of their creation and performance.
The programme seeks to explore critical responses to drama as a form, from Aristotle’s ‘Poetics’ to currently emerging research and writing, placing the primary reading material in discourse with text and performance theory. You will be encouraged to think beyond the words on the page to their wider lives and meanings in performance, politics, and humanity throughout history.
As you progress, there will be opportunities to focus more closely on specific eras of dramatic history and context and genre, including the advent of public theatre in the sixteenth century, global drama, contemporary playwrights, and writing for radio. You will have opportunities to create original writing for stage and screen, and to engage with theatre practitioners through workshops, Q&A sessions and theatre visits.
Year in industry
This programme is available with an optional year in industry. If you choose this option, year three is spent on a paid placement within an organisation in industry, broadly defined. You will be supported by the School of the Arts and the Department throughout, and your reflexive written account of the experience will contribute towards your final degree result. If you wish to study this programme with a year in industry, please put the option code ‘YI’ in the ‘further choices’ section of your UCAS application form.
English Attainment Scholarships
We are pleased to offer two attainment scholarships per year to undergraduate students from the UK. The scholarships will cover the entire UK tuition fee for both years two and three (currently £9,250 per annum). Awards will be made by the department at the end of year one, based on performance.
What you'll learn
- Knowledge of one or more specific literary and dramatic / theatrical historical periods
- An awareness of cultural, theoretical and historical contexts of literature and drama
- Critical thinking
- Teamwork
- How to undertake research
- How to present and communicate clearly
- How to debate, argue and persuade
- The ability to write well-constructed prose and/or dramatic writing
- Literary analysis, criticism and/or data collection