Study programme description for students

English and Literacy Studies - Master

Facts

Studyprogram code M-LITERA

Credits (ECTS) 120

Level Master's degree (2 years)

Leads to degree Master's Degree Programme in English and Literacy Studies

Full-/Part-time Full-time

Duration 4 semesters

Undergraduate No

Language of instruction English

The Master's programme in English and Literacy Studies is a two-year postgraduate programme that includes a 75-credit taught component and a 45-credit Masters thesis. It is offered both as an independent Master's programme and as an integrated part of the 5-year lektorprogram at UiS. The programme may also be taken part time over a period of four years (contact the Institute). Full and part-time students attend the same classes.

The area of the programme is English and Literacy Studies, defined as the study of reading, writing and the written text in social and cultural contexts. The programme focuses on English and Literacy Studies within an English-speaking context, and includes modules that explore literary, linguistic, and educational approaches; it is equivalent to a Master`s programme in English from the point of view of teaching and research competence. At the University of Stavanger, it builds upon the Bachelor's level in English (or on the first three years of the lektorprogram with English as the main subject) and feeds into the PhD programme in Educational Sciences and Humanities.

The programme recognises the central role played by literacy in our society. The written language is a key factor in social organisation and cultural development, and the medium of a wide range of communication technologies. It is often claimed that the central role of reading texts is one of the most important characteristics of modern societies. A good understanding of the various aspects of literacy, both contemporary and historical, is therefore essential for a full understanding of how this society works and forms a key asset for the efficient participation therein.

As the programme is open for international students, and all students are expected to reach a high level of competence in oral and written English, all teaching and supervision takes place in English.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The student will gain

  • an overview of the main approaches and research areas within the field of English and Literacy Studies
  • a good understanding of the major theories and issues within a range of research areas within English and Literacy Studies, with focus on the English-speaking world and in historical and contemporary contexts
  • a sound theoretical and methodological basis for academic research within English and Literacy Studies, focussing on a selected direction of study (Literature, linguistic, historical or didactic)
  • detailed knowledge of the particular field of research within which the student chooses to write her/his thesis
  • an understanding of basic research ethics and issues of copyright
  • an understanding of the critical use of sources and of the conventions of writing an academic thesis
  • a good knowledge of the conventions of academic English

Skills

By the end of the programme, the student will be able to

  • apply their knowledge to independent research work
  • place their work within a broader research context within English and Literacy Studies
  • account for the theories and methods current within their field of research and explain their own choice of theoretical framework and methodology
  • find relevant sources and organize information and data in appropriate ways
  • use sources critically and present a sound line of argument

General competence

By the end of the programme, the student will be able to

  • discuss sensibly any aspect of English and Literacy Studies and apply their knowledge to current debates and social/educational issues as well as to school teaching
  • use spoken and written academic English fluently and correctly
  • communicate clearly and efficiently both in writing and through oral presentations
  • work on texts constructively through the giving and receiving of critical feedback

Syllabus

The programme brings together two main groups of students: Norwegian and International students who take the programme as an independent Master's programme, and Norwegian students who are enrolled in the five-year lektorprogram. In the first year, the former group take three taught modules per semester, while the latter take three modules in the Autumn semester only. All the Autumn modules offered are available for both groups of students.

In the first Autumn semester, all students take three modules. The modules represent three general study directions: literature, linguistics and didactics. The modules together provide an introduction to English and Literacy Studies upon which the remainder of the programme is built.

In the Spring semester, the English and Literacy students take three modules that represent the development of the English language through time and provide both a contextual and formal study of literature. They are evaluated through written or oral examinations at the end of the semester.

In the second year of the Master's programme, the students produce a thesis. During this second year, the student receives supervision, attends a thesis writing seminar, and attends a methods course; attendance is compulsory. After submitting the thesis, the candidate will have an oral exam. The grade is awarded on the basis of the thesis but may be adjusted on the basis of the oral exam. There are two possible submission dates for the MA thesis: May or November.

Career prospects

The Master in English and Literacy Studies is suitable for those who want a career in teaching or for those who are looking for a versatile job in, for example, media, culture or publishing.

Good language skills are in demand in a variety of industries, in both public and private sectors. Some examples of jobs or career paths include:

Library or archival work

English teacher

Journalist

Marketing and Communications

Public relations

Law

Technical writing

Content creation

Social media manager

Grant writer

Editorial assistant

Translator

The programme also qualifies students for further study at the PhD level.

Course assessment

As part of the quality of teaching framework at UiS, all courses implement annual evaluation in the form of dialogue between student representatives and course teachers. In addition, the courses in the programme are evaluated electronically.

Studyplan with courses

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Student exchange

Exchange semester
2nd semester of the 1st year.

Academic requirements
Students must start preparing for the exchange at the start of their studies to be able to apply within the deadline. The 2nd semester has two compulsory courses, each of them can be exchanged for courses found at partner institutions abroad. The courses taken at the partner institution should include minimum one course in the History of English/Old English/Middle English. The institutions listed below offer relevant courses for the 2nd semester (course offerings may be subject to change).

Contact person
Student advisor Signe Ekenberg, Hulda Garborg building

General information about exchange: Exchange guide in Digital student service desk

Admission requirements

1. A bachelor's degree, which includes at least 80 ECTS credits in English language and literature. Courses within translation, interpretation and English language teaching cannot be considered for admission to this programme.

2. Norwegian "grunnskolelærer" education (4 years), which includes at least 60 ECTS credits in English and minimum 2 years relevant work experiences within this subject area in the Norwegian school system.

Admission to this master's programme requires a minimum grade C in the courses in English language and literature.

Applicants with an education where it is not possible to calculate grade points from parts of the degree, must have a grade of C in the entire degree in order to be qualified for admission. If you have an education using a different grade scale than ECTS grades (A-F), the grade point average must be comparable to a Norwegian C.

Application: through local admission


Contact information

Faculty of Arts and Education

Department of Cultural Studies and Languages

Stavanger University

4036 Stavanger, Norway

Master's study coordinator

Signe Ekenberg: signe.ekenberg@uis.no

Tlf. 51 83 13 53