Undergraduate
BA and Diploma in English
Who
is it for?
The BA degree in English and
Diploma in English seek to develop a broad range of skills,
including general communicative competence as well as more
technical skills of literary–critical analysis.
During your studies, you will
give close attention to a range of literary and other works
written in different styles and periods; and from this study
you will develop an awareness of changing rhetorical techniques
and effects, as well as greater knowledge of many well-known
and a large number of less well-known literary works.
English is a distinct area of
study which is also at the intersection of a range of other
disciplines in the arts, humanities and social sciences. Because
it is concerned with questions of meaning, social behaviour
and structure, as well as with problems of aesthetic and cultural
value, your work directs you not only towards a wide range
of examples of writing but also towards greater awareness
of moral and social questions surrounding the techniques through
which analysis and persuasion are achieved. Although most
of the work in the programme is literary, rather than linguistic,
practice in interpretation coupled with the experience of
planning and writing essays should develop communicative skills
which are not confined to commentary on literary topics alone.
A development in your level
of skill and critical awareness should provide a sound basis
for careers including the Civil Service, teaching and research,
journalism, radio and television, as well as a variety of
posts in business.
Note: These
qualifications are specifically concerned with the study of
English literature and it is assumed that prospective students
will already be fluent in spoken and written English. The
programme contains no element of training in language proficiency.
