Master

Competence-oriented Programme Objectives

M.A. British Studies

General objectives

The general objective of the MA British Studies programme is to provide students with advanced academic and methodological skills as well as near-native competence in written and spoken English that will enable them to pursue a professional career. The MA British Literature and Cultural Studies programme qualifies its graduates for careers in the fields of academia, culture, politics and business, e.g. publishing and media, educational and cultural institutions, intercultural communication and public relations.

Specific objectives

Graduates have in-depth knowledge of the societies, literatures and cultures of the United Kingdom and Ireland in their historical scope and media and material diversity. They have sound methodological skills in the field of literary studies and cultural studies, including methods of electronic research (databases). Specifically, they have in-depth content-related and theoretical knowledge in the field of Nineteenth Century Studies (compulsory specialisation module), i.e. they are familiar with the ideological, political and social conditions of 19th century Great Britain, and can name and differentiate significant literary and cultural developments. In addition, they have in-depth content-related and theoretical knowledge in two other areas of British Studies, including Postcolonial Studies (two elective modules). They are able to use this knowledge to independently analyse and interpret different forms of cultural expression and to place these forms of expression in socio-political and historical contexts. In particular, they are able to work independently on a comprehensive topic of British literature and/or cultural studies as part of their MA thesis and present it adequately in writing in English.

Graduates have active and passive language skills in English at level C2 of the European Framework of Reference and have mastered techniques of oral and written presentation of complex content in English.

As part of a compulsory internship, graduates gain experience in a field of work of their choice and reflect on this against the background of the linguistic and methodological skills acquired in the degree programme.

Aims of the M.A. course?(in German).

• 4 semesters / 120 credit points (including M.A. thesis)
• 7 modules (including M.A. thesis + practical component)
• interdisciplinary and/or international component through the option of an internship
• degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
• start: every winter term (October)

Curriculum

The programme consists of seven modules (120 credit points in total) which should be completed within four semesters. Thus, courses worth around 30 credit points should be selected each semester.

The Master British Studies has a focus on 19th Century Studies (BLK-M2). In this module, you will take two seminars and either a lecture or an Independent Study Project, all comprising topics in the field of 19th Century Studies.

In modules BLK-M4 and BLK-M5 you have to choose a total of two subject areas out of four possibilities:

• Early Modern Studies (M4a or M5a)
• 18th Century Studies (M4b or M5b)
• 20th/21st Century Studies (M4c or M5c)
• Postcolonial Studies (M4d or M5d)

Please note that you cannot opt for the same subject area in both modules (e.g. if you want to do BLK-M4a, you cannot select BLK-M5a because they cover the same subject area).

During the course of your MA programme, you will do one or two Independent Study Project(s) (ISP). You will have to do an ISP in Module BLK-M5; you can choose to do an ISP in Module BLK-M2 (for an explanation see below under Independent Study Project).

The practical component (M6) can be completed either within the semester break or during the lecture period. Your fourth semester should be dedicated to your master's thesis.

You can find all courses in the online course catalogue (SPUR). Please note that in several modules you will be able to choose among a number of courses offered in the respective area each semester, i.e., there will be different thematic courses on British Literary and Cultural Studies.

Further general information that might help you get started with your studies is provided here.

*Please note: You need to choose two different time frames (or subject areas) for M4 and M5 (e.g. if you opt for BLK-M4a (Early Modern Studies), you cannot do BLK-M5a (Early Modern Studies)).

General Requirements for admission

• an above-average academic degree from a higher education institution, in a programme relevant or related to British Studies, with at least three years of study (full-time), e.g. a B.A. or equivalent
• very good knowledge of English (C1 Common European Framework of Reference)
• time spent abroad which is relevant for the projected course of study (four weeks and more) will be of advantage for the application

Please note: Details on the application process, the complete list of required documents as well as the application guidelines are listed here.

For questions regarding your application, please write to Application.MasterDEAS@ur.de.

Further information

• International students: Please consult our International Office for information on accomodation, insurance, finances etc. (Information about scholarships and grants can be found here.)
• For further questions regarding the master programme, please contact the student counselors at the Chair of British Studies.

Core Module 19th Century Studies

All students in the M.A. British Studies will have to complete this module on 19th Century Studies. It comprises two seminars and either a lecture or an Independent Study Project.

Elective Modules M4 and M5

For modules M4 and M5, you have to choose two out of four subject areas:

• Early Modern Studies
• 18th Century Studies
• 20th/21st Century Studies
• Postcolonial Studies

In module M4, you combine a lecture and a seminar from the same subject area. Since we cannot offer all choices for each semester, the following chart will give you an indication of which subject areas can be chosen for M4 in the near future. The chart also shows you which seminars you can use for M5 (in combination with an Independent Study Project).

Seminars and lectures planned for the near future

We are planning to offer the following course-types in the next two terms:
(Courses that overlap categories are listed in both)

(AZ: Prof. Zwierlein; BK: Prof. Kohlmann; JP: Prof. Petzold)

For further information on how to register for courses and exams (including all current deadlines) please visit Course Registration.

Should you have difficulties in registering for an exam in FlexNow, please contact our study coordinators.

What is an ‘Independent Study Project’?

During the course of your MA programme, you will do one or two Independent Study Project(s) (ISP). You will have to do an ISP in Module BLK-M5; you can choose to do an ISP in Module BLK-M2.

The ISP gives you the chance to further your understanding of the module’s overall topic by working on a set of texts of your choice. These texts should be connected to the topic of the module but go beyond the precise topic of the seminar(s) you take. The project should be roughly comparable to the reading you would do for a typical seminar (without preparing / researching your term paper).

How do I outline my project?

Depending on the length and complexity of individual texts, your reading list might comprise roughly three to five novels, or six to seven plays, or a substantial selection of poetry, or a combination of different genres (including film); your reading list can also include non-fiction. Your reading list should also include some secondary sources connected to the topic of your independent study project (at least one monograph or four to five essays)

It will be your task to come up with a topic for the study project and suggest a reading list, but your supervisor will have to agree to the list.

How do I conclude my project?

When you have finished your project, you will meet with your supervisor for a talk of 20-30 minutes to present and discuss the insights you gained. This talk should take place during or shortly after the term in which you take the module seminar; it should not be scheduled later than the third week of classes of the following term. (For example, if you do your independent study project during a summer term you should
present/discuss your thoughts no later than the third week of classes of the next winter term.)

For example, if you visit a seminar on Early Modern Drama, your ISP might consist of:

• a selection of EMod plays not covered in the seminar (e.g., other genres, other authors, etc.) and/or
• a selection of EMod prose fiction and/or
• a selection of EMod poetry and/or
• a selection of EMod non-fictional texts (e.g., travel accounts, conduct books, poetics, political theory)
• and some secondary sources (essays, monographs) connected with your overall topic

Module BLK-M5

Module BLK-M5 gives you the choice of four topics (but you cannot choose the same topic as in BLK-M4): Early Modern Studies II (BLK-M5a) or Eighteenth Century Studies II (BLK-M5b) or Twentieth Century Studies II (BLK-M5c) or New English Literatures / Postcolonial Studies II (BLK-M5d) In each case, the module will consist of a seminar (Hauptseminar) and an independent study project (ISP). Once you have decided you want to take a seminar as part of your module BLK-M5, you should talk to the person offering the seminar (your supervisor of the study project), to discuss your ideas for an ISP.

Module BLK-M2 (Victorian Studies)

In the module on Victorian Studies (BLK-M2), you have the choice of either taking a lecture on Victorian Studies or of doing an Independent Study Project. Please note that a lecture on Victorian Studies will not be offered every term. If you choose to do an ISP, the teacher of either of your two seminars in module BLK-M2 can be the supervisor of this project; you should contact one of them to discuss your ideas for an ISP.

What is the ‘Practical Component’?

Your M.A. programme contains an internship/project module that you can carry out either in the semester break between your 2nd and 3rd or your 3rd and 4th semesters or, if it is longer than 3 months, during the semester. It is up to you to find a su