Course overview

The MA in Literature, Culture and Identity is a degree examining twentieth and twenty-first century literature in English focusing upon the cultural representation and (de)construction of identity. Key topics include the consideration of ideas of the ‘self/other’; travel and migration; war; postcolonial and national identities; geography and the relationship to physical space; gender and sexuality. The course focuses upon literary analysis in relation to theories of psychoanalysis, feminism, postcolonialism and postmodernism and the range of material studied includes literature from Britain, North America and the postcolonial English-speaking world, and writing from mainland Europe in translation.

The programme is designed to appeal to those who have developed interests in questions of gender, sexuality and ethnicity and who wish to pursue their research of such topics at an advanced level which will prepare them for postgraduate work in the fields of queer theory, gender studies, and postcolonial literature and theory.

More generally, it will enable you to acquire the necessary advanced knowledge and skills which you can use to:

• enhance your employability by extending your area of expertise beyond that of your first degree
• make yourself stand out in an increasingly competitive job market by acquiring skills which show an ability to research independently and study a contemporary topic at an advanced level
• go on to more advanced, original research and doctoral study

We also place strong emphasis on the development of research skills and analytical abilities appropriate to this level of study. The course is directly tailored to meet national benchmarks for research training and is therefore ideal if you are thinking about future doctoral-level study, as well as offering a valuable boost to your personal profile if you are an education professional or simply looking to expand your portfolio with a challenging and rewarding advanced qualification.

This course is very much informed by current research. Course staff are members of the Centre for Studies in Literature at the University of Portsmouth.

Find out more

Please contact the Humanities Admissions Centre for an application pack and details of fees or to arrange an informal discussion with the course leader. As the support base for all our students, the Admissions Centre is happy to help you with your enquiry, through to completion of application forms and offer.

Course content

At the heart of the course is the production of a dissertation, a substantial piece of individual research work. Supporting your achievement in this are a series of taught units, introducing advanced research skills, analytical techniques and methodological perspectives that you will need for work at the cutting edge of contemporary humanities.

In addition, you will study a core unit, Cultural Identities: Self and Other, which will introduce key theoretical issues. You will then choose to study either Body Maps or European Others, plus one further option drawn from:

• Performing Genders
• Postmodern Detectives
• Independent Project

You will also take a research management unit to support the research for your dissertation. For the dissertation you will pursue in depth an approved topic of your choice.

Teaching and assessment

You will experience a blend of seminar-based teaching and tutorial project support. Seminars will take place one day a week, generally in two two-hour sessions. Tutorials are arranged by mutual convenience and support can also be given by email. You will be given comprehensive materials for the seminars, including prepared readings necessary for participation in discussions. As with any course of study, the MA Literature, Culture and Identity will require a significant commitment of time outside formal teaching hours, for reading, preparation and assessment. For the ‘Humanities Research Skills’ unit, you will be expected to produce two or three short pieces of work. For each of the remaining taught units, you will give a short presentation and produce a 5,000 word essay. Like all Masters degrees, especially if taken full-time, the MA Literature, Culture and Identity is a demanding course, but you will have plenty of support and guidance to help you meet your goals.

Career prospects

Portsmouth has a solid reputation for graduate employability and our concern with your development is maintained during the MA with sessions emphasising the transferability of the advanced skills you develop on the course. You will develop transferable skills in constructing coherent and convincing arguments in relation to complex debates and source materials, detailed analysis of a variety of documents and texts, advanced literacy and language skills, and research and communication skills. All these abilities equip or prepare you for a range of career outcomes including teaching, management and a variety of research posts, as well as preparing you for further study at doctoral level.

Facilities and features

The MA is based in the School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The School is located on the historic Milldam site, a short walk from the main University Library.

The library is open from 8am to midnight seven days a week (with reduced hours during vacations).The library contains more than half a million printed books. You will also have access to some 16,000 online journals and are eligible to join the UK libraries plus scheme, which is a cooperative venture between higher education libraries that makes it easier for you to use academic libraries nearer to home or work. The MA in Literature, Culture and Identity also has a dedicated subject librarian to assist you.

You will have good access to computer facilities at the library, the Milldam site and at the Park Building in the daytime and evenings. This includes access for disabled students.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MA Literature, Culture and Identity are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 8299
Email: humanities.admissions@port.ac.uk