Literature, Culture and Thought University of Cambridge

Overview

The  Literature, Culture and Thought M.Phil programme from the University of Cambridge introduces students to a broad range of critical theory concepts, allows for in-depth study of specific cultures and contexts, and includes the writing of a thesis based on original research.

The MPhil is offered by the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages as a full-time period of research and introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge of specific cultural areas.

The course aims:

• to offer students with relevant experience at degree level a self-contained one-year course in which they have the opportunity for in-depth study of specific aspects of European and comparative literatures and cultures (and in some cases film, history and the visual arts) and critical theory; and

• to offer a course which is also designed as the first year of research towards a PhD.

These aims are achieved by:

• offering an overview in central aspects of modern literary/cultural theory and critical approaches to developing a general understanding of the field

• offering an opportunity for in-depth study of two areas in critical theory and approaches and for developing skills to write on theory and to use theory or palaeographical and bibliographical techniques as a tool in the study of literary or other cultural texts

• offering an opportunity for expanding knowledge of the literature and culture of specific periods and language areas beyond the undergraduate level

• offering an opportunity for in-depth and sustained work on individual essay and thesis topics

• offering the opportunity either to specialize in one European language area or to continue work in several languages (in the latter case offering guidance in developing comparative research projects)

• offering an opportunity to give seminar papers to a specialist audience in order to develop skills in presenting work and discussing the issues which arise from it with other MPhil students and senior members of the Faculty

• offering an opportunity to learn to work to tight deadlines (time management)

• offering practice in writing shorter essays with a strict deadline

• offering training in developing a realistic research project, guidance in writing this up as a thesis within a limited period of time and experience in independent research

• offering an opportunity to develop bibliographical, editorial and other research skills

• offering an opportunity to work under the supervision of specialists in relevant areas

• offering the opportunity to participate in the research culture of the Faculty, attending Faculty graduate seminars and reading groups

Key facts:

By the end of the programme students will have:

• developed knowledge of critical theory and an ability to work with theory or specific critical approaches

• developed a deeper knowledge of one or more areas of European, Latin American and Comparative Literatures and Cultures and of the critical debates within that (or those) area(s)

• developed more advanced critical judgment and sensitivity to literary texts

• demonstrated advanced skills in literary analysis

• developed intellectual and practical research skills

• presented their own ideas in a public forum