English Literature – BA (Honours)

At a glance

Study literature from the Renaissance to the present day on this well-established course. You learn how to analyse texts using philosophical frameworks such as psychoanalysis, feminism and existentialism. You have the opportunity to gain professional experience through work-based modules and benefit from access to excellent library facilities, including special collections.

Key points
• Study both canonical and less traditional texts.• Choose from optional modules that reflect your interests and career aims.
• Prepare for your career with work-based modules.
• Benefit from excellent library facilities including special collections.

What is English literature?
The study of English literature can cover a huge variety of texts and there are real differences in the historical periods that a course might cover, and in the critical emphasis of an award. At Sheffield Hallam, we cover poetry, prose and drama from the early modern period (around 1550) to the present day. We look at literature written in English from the UK and from around the world, including American and post-colonial literatures.

This course

Study canonical and less traditional texts from the Renaissance to the present, as well as a range of US, Canadian and post-colonial works on this well-established literature course.

You learn theoretical and philosophical approaches to literature, from existentialism to queer theory. This helps you to develop your analytical skills to their full potential. You are taught through lectures, seminars, and individual supervisions.

With its wide selection of optional modules, this course allows you to choose the subjects that are of most interest to you. Optional modules include • tragedy of blood • children's literature • race, slavery and empire • post-colonial Britain • writers, readers, spectators. A distinctive feature of this course is a module which focuses on the short story.

As you study you develop valuable transferable skills including • writing extended prose • presenting immaculate copy to tight deadlines • communicating ideas in a clear and persuasive manner.

As part of your course, you can study abroad at an American, Canadian or European university. You can also complete a work-based project in an area such as literary editing, feature journalism or publicity to develop your professional skills and further enhance employability.

This course is part of a long-established English programme. You benefit from being part of a large department of over 30 staff, who offer you many specialist options in your second and third years.

We support your development by helping you to pursue independent study projects. For example, you could edit a Renaissance play, work with texts from our unique Readerships and Literary Cultures collection, or produce a dissertation on authors or texts of special interest to you.

Key areas of study
Alongside canonical texts you study a range of new literatures, including literature from North America, postcolonial and diasporic cultures. For example, you complete a module called American and Canadian Literature Pre-1900. This introduces you to nineteenth century literary texts including novels, poetry and short stories by authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, James Fenimoore Cooper, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman.