MA (Res) Children's Literature

Full-time 12 months
Part-time 24 months

This extremely popular and well known taught MA course involves the study of a wide range of Children's Literature, and the consideration of a wide range of issues around the study of Children's Literature. The MA is the oldest accredited degree in this field in Britain (founded in 1984), and its staff are world-known experts in children's literature and childhood who have published extensively internationally.

Programme Content

The main approaches in the course are drawn from literary theory and cultural studies. The taught syllabus consists of six units. The three core modules consist of the theoretical basis (research methods and approaches) for the study of Children's Literature, together with detailed study of nineteenth and twentieth century Children's Literature; Three additional components are drawn from the following list of modules:

  • North American Children's Literature
  • Commonwealth Children's Literature
  • Children's Radio, Film and Television
  • Myth and Folktale in Children's Literature
  • Popular Forms of Children's Fiction

The three additional units to be offered each year will depend upon student choices and staff availability.

Teaching is by seminars, lectures and tutorials. This is followed by a period of independent research for a dissertation of 20,000 words. . You will also write six essays (of approximately 3000 words) during the taught phase of the course.

 

 

 

Fact file

Entry Requirements :

 

Applicants will normally hold a good second class Honours degree (2:1)- or equivalent- in English or a discipline in which the study of literature has formed a substantial part.

When applying, please include two sample essays written for your first degree (not on children's literature) and two references, as well as a statement of motivation about why you are interested in applying to the MA (this can be about a page or so in length).

 

Your essays and the statement of motivation help us to make sure that this is the right degree for you.

 

Please go to Centre for International Research in Childhood: Literature, Culture, Media (CIRCL)for more details on the MA course, the staff, previous students' experiences and how to apply.

 

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