Course summary

BA Comparative Literatures and Cultures offers an exciting opportunity to study a wealth of international cultural production in depth and breadth. You will study the literatures and cultures of the world in comparative frameworks that draw on methodologies from textual, cultural, and visual studies, as well as from translation, philosophy, history, social science and critical theory. Texts will be read in English translation. In the first two years you will study core units such as: What is Comparative Literature and How Do We Practise It?; Introduction to Visual Cultures; Popular Representation and Institutions of Culture; and Migrations of Culture. In year three you will complete an innovative, supervised, independent project consisting of an extended essay on a topic of your choice and a public-facing element presented to the entire cohort. Additionally, you will have a wide choice of optional units based in either the culture of a single language or a combination of cultures. Units are informed by staff research interests, and you will be taught by experts in their fields. Teaching is delivered through lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, and one-to-one project supervision. Assessments may include presentations, essays, commentaries, exams, collaborative projects, debates, podcasts, video essays, and dissertations. This programme encourages a range of attributes that are highly valued by employers, such as intercultural understanding, analytical and critical thinking, clarity and self confidence in communication, an aptitude for collaborative work, and creativity. It will instil habits of curiosity, openness, rigour, self-reflection, and evidence-based thinking, which will prepare you for a flexible career across a wide variety of sectors. All modern languages students have access to our state-of-the-art Multimedia Centre, with a collection of movies, a student cinema suite, an audio recording and video editing studio, a computer and language lab, and study areas. You can access extracurricular activities such as talks by visiting speakers, societies, language cafés, student newspapers, and talent shows.