Black British Literature Goldsmiths, University of London

Overview

Why study MA Black British Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London?

• This Black British Literature degree is a world first. There’s nowhere else you can study black British writing in such an in-depth way – in the actual country where the writing is produced.
• It’s timely and necessary. Black and minority ethnic people continue to be massively underrepresented in academia, and texts written by black authors are often missing from university course lists. A degree that takes black British writing seriously is a vital step in increasing intellectual awareness of, and amplifying, these black British voices. In studying this Masters, you will become part of this process.
• You’ll be looking at an extremely diverse range of texts, analysing work from novelists, poets, short story writers, essayists, and playwrights. You’ll also locate these writers in their historical context, gaining an understanding of the history of black people in Britain and how they were represented and perceived.
• We welcome applications from those seeking academic careers, professionals who are returning to learning, and performers and artists who wish to develop their analytic and critical thinking skills.

• You’ll be based in London and have access to all the resources the city offers including use of the Black Plays Archive at the Royal National Theatre for fieldwork and research tasks.

Skills

You will develop transferable writing and oral skills at a high academic level, demonstrating the ability to think and work in an interdisciplinary manner using a range of methodologies. Your ability to work collaboratively and to facilitate and participate in group discussions will be enhanced. You will also develop skills in identifying the socio-cultural, historical, political and literary issues that shape and impact upon contemporary literary and performance texts.

We are oriented towards serving your individual goals and aspirations for self-development; it will generate an articulable body of transferable knowledge and skills.

Besides developing your knowledge of best current research methods and of facts and concepts specific to the featured field of study, the proposed programme will offer training in:

• discerning vital literary and dramatic roots
• recognising how the dynamics of creative and cultural movements interrelate
• exchanging information effectively within a variety of intellectual, creative arts, and local communities

Careers

The MA’s design allows for a diverse range of applications of its contents to careers including education, counselling, community arts, arts practice, social services, cultural organisations, or towards research degrees (MPhil; PhD).

Our courses consolidate the influential presence of contemporary Black British writing. It is recognised as both intrinsic to conceptions of British cultural heritage but also distinctive within the body of British writing.