BA English Literature and Philosophy

According to Socrates the most serious question for humanity is: How are we to live? This question, amongst others, is one that philosophy tries to answer. It asks: What is justice? How can our minds know the world? What is truth? Can we prove anything about God? How do we tell good reasoning from bad? Philosophy considers these questions in a systematic attempt to make sense of human life and the world in which it is lived. But there are other ways of trying to make sense of human life and the questions it raises. One of the most important of these is to be found in literature. Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice can be interpreted as a reflection on Socrates’ question; Shakespeare’s play The Tempest raises questions about the gap between the mind and the world, and whether there is such a thing as natural justice; and Eliot’s poem Four Quartets is a meditation on the concealed nature of God. Again and again, artists and philosophers consider the same questions in different ways. This is what makes the combination of English literature and philosophy so fruitful.

This very popular course will be especially suitable for you if you are interested in existential and intellectual themes in literature. Students take a full range of philosophy and literature modules, developing skills in both fields. Interdisciplinary links are emphasised, with some philosophy modules - eg Moral Philosophy, Film and Literature as Philosophy - making ample use of literary examples.

Course Structure

In Year 1, you take six compulsory modules, three each from philosophy and literature.

In Year 2, you must take one module in English theory and one module from a list of English second-level modules, plus any two second-level philosophy modules. In addition, you are entitled to two free choice modules, which can be chosen from any eligible module within the University. You may choose to focus, doing more philosophy or literature modules, or to broaden your interests by taking modules from another humanity, a social science or even a science. Or you can take a language or a more practical career-based module, in preparation for employment after university.

In your third year, you must take the compulsory literature and philosophy module plus any third-level English module and any two third-level philosophy modules. Some students choose the dissertation module (in either English or philosophy) in the final year: the 10,000-word dissertation, on a philosophical or literary subject, or interdisciplinary between the two, is prepared under the guidance of a tutor (this is recommended for students thinking of going on to do postgraduate study).

Teaching and Assessment

Philosophy thrives on discussion and the exchange of views. Only some parts of it can be done in large lecture classes. So we do have some of those—but when we do, they are designed to set you thinking, not to tell you facts. It's about learning how to think, and how to express what you think, not learning what to say. All the units have small group seminars or tutorials in which you work on the problems with a member of staff.

During the year your written work is marked by the seminar tutors. They give you comments and feedback to help you improve. Time is set aside for you to call on the lecturers to discuss your work or to get individual guidance.

Assessment is by a mixture of essays, longer projects or dissertation, and examinations. Each unit has its own mix of assessment. The degree result is calculated from the results of all the units in your final two years. You can find more information on the modules available on this course on the 'Course Profile' page.

Course Organiser:Dr. Jeremy Goodenough

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Entry Requirements A Level: AAB-ABB including a B grade in English Literature International Baccalaureate: 33-32 points including a score of 5 in Higher Level English Scottish Highers: Must have Advanced Higher in English Literature Scottish Advanced Highers: AAB-ABB including a B grade in English Literature Irish Leaving Certificate: AAAABB-AABBBB including a B grade in English Literature Access Course: Please contact the university for further information. HND: Please contact the university for further information. European Baccalaureate: 80-75% including English Literature Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in Reading and Writing with no less than 5.5 in any component)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 88 overall (minimum 20 in Reading and Speaking components, 19 in Writing component and 17 in Listening components.
• PTE: 62 overall (minimum 55 in Reading and Writing components with no less than 51 in any component).

If you do not meet the University's entry requirements, our INTO Language Learning Centre offers a range of university preparation courses to help you develop the high level of academic and English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Interviews

The School does not currently interview all applicants for undergraduate entry as standard, however we may interview mature students, those returning to study or applicants with alternative qualifications. All applicants who are made an offer are given the opportunity to meet with an academic on a Visit Day in order to gain a deeper insight into the course(s) you have applied for.

Gap Year

Normally there is not a problem in deferring entry for a year. Offers are made in the usual way to applicants who ask for deferred entry.

Special Entry Requirements

As part of the A level entry requirements, you should have at least a grade B in A level English Literature. Students taking the International Baccalaureate will be expected to have a minimum of 5 in Higher Level English.

Intakes

The School's annual intake is in September of each year.

Alternative Qualifications

If you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above, then please contact university directly for further information.

GCSE Offer

Students are required to have GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English Language at grade C or above.

Assessment

For the majority of candidates the most important factors in assessing the application will be past and future achievement in examinations, academic interest in the subject being applied for, personal interest and extra-curricular activities and the confidential reference.

We consider applicants as individuals and accept students from a very wide range of educational backgrounds and spend time considering your application in order to reach an informed decision relating to your application. Typical offers are indicated above. Please note, there may be additional subject entry requirements specific to individual degree courses.

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‘What makes a stuffed shark a work of art?'

‘Is morality just a matter of taste?’

‘Is everything we do determined by our genes and our environment, or do we have genuine free will?’

‘Is it possible to prove (or to disprove) the existence of God?’

‘Can I know that what I take to be the real world is not just an illusion (as in The Matrix)?’

‘What's the difference between a logical argument and an illogical one?’

‘Is my mind the same thing as my brain, or does my mind have a non-physical aspect?’

‘Can machines think?’

‘Are there any good arguments against cloning people?’

Degrees in philosophy are designed to make you think. They tend to include a mixture of historical reflection—exploring questions that earlier philosophers have raised and testing the value of their answers—and cutting-edge work on questions that seem new and theories that seem fashionable. In fact the history often shows that the new theories have an interesting past as well.

Philosophy also requires an acute and critical mind. You don't just muse on possible answers to the questions: you challenge them. You demonstrate that some answers can't be right. This requires strict and rigorous reasoning.

Because of this rigour and logical precision, a degree in philosophy delivers powerful intellectual strengths, comparable with the outcomes of a science degree, but combined with the sensitivity and well-developed communication skills typical of an arts degree.

UniStats Information Fees and Funding University Fees and Financial Support: UK/EU Students

Further information on fees and funding for 2012 can be found here

University Fees and Financial Support: International Students

The University will be charging International students £11,700.00 for all full time School of Philosophy undergraduate programmes which start in 2012.

Please click to access further information about fees and funding for International students