Course summary

The Portuguese MLitt comprises taught and research-based elements, allowing you to focus in depth on one aspect of Portuguese studies. Topics available include: linguistics, culture, history and politics of Latin America, the Spanish novel and Latin American film. The School of Modern Languages research staff work in a diverse range of fields from sociocultural, historical and political studies, to film and literature, linguistics and sociolinguistics. We offer expert supervision in the following areas: •anthropology, anthropological linguistics and sociolinguistics of Latin America, including Quechua language •semantics, philosophy of language, history and spread of Spanish in Latin America, Latin American dialects and Creole •political, social and intellectual history of Latin America in the 19th and 20th centuries, especially Brazil and Southern Cone •history of education in Latin America in 19th and 20th century Latin America •discourses of race and identity in Latin America •Latin American film, literature and theatre •Spanish and Latin American cultural history and popular culture •Catalan nationalism •Spanish novel. You will normally work on a research project which comprises two to four research assignments and a longer dissertation. Your supervisor will be an expert in your chosen field and you will receive support if necessary from an experienced research supervisor. The course is well suited as preparation for PhD research. The School has strong links with interdisciplinary research centres and groups, including: •Centre for Latin American and Caribbean Studies •Centre for Research in Linguistics and Language Sciences •Research Centre in Film and Digital Media •Gender Research Group •Medieval and Early Modern Studies •Postcolonial Research Group. You will also have the opportunity to attend festivals and conferences with a direct bearing on your course: •Talking to the World Conference •VAMOS festival. Delivery: This programme is delivered by the School of Modern Languages, with the possibility of joint supervision with other schools. You will mainly be based in Newcastle's city-centre campus. Attendance is flexible and agreed between you and your supervisors depending on the requirements of the research project. Full-time students are expected to undertake 40 hours of work per week with an annual holiday entitlement of 35 days (including statutory and bank holidays). Part-time study requires a commitment of at least 20 hours per week. The MLitt incorporates a formal research training component where you will develop your research skills and methodologies (20 credits). You also complete a portfolio of essays chosen in consultation with your supervisors according to your interests and experience (80 credits). You then undertake a dissertation of 16,000–24,000 words consisting of a sustained piece of original research (80 credits). Study consists mainly of tutorials and independent learning supported by research training. Supervisors will advise you on how to develop your research proposals. Facilities: You will have access to a dedicated quiet study space, as well as use of a common room with kitchen facilities. The School also houses the Language Resource Centre, with an extensive range of language learning facilities and resources, including: •access to 24 satellite television channels from around the world •listen and record facilities for speaking practise •interactive language learning software •an international film collection of over 800 titles.