Programme description for Master's Programme in English (2020–2023)

What do you learn?

Learning outcome

Knowledge: Upon completion of the programme, graduates will have acquired

• in-depth knowledge of English literature and linguistics in a cultural and communicative context

• in-depth knowledge of important literary and linguistic theories, methods and issues

• general knowledge of English as an academic subject, its history and traditions

Skills: Upon completion of the programme, graduates have acquired

• advanced oral and written proficiency in English

• the ability to analyse complex literary/cultural and linguistic topics in a critical and independent manner

• the ability to analyse thematic and aesthetic features of texts from different genres

• the ability to apply central literary and linguistic concepts, methods and theories

• the ability to carry out independent research under supervision, and in line with ethical standards for research

General competence: Upon completion of the programme, graduates have acquired the ability to

• understand and analyse academic problems and their ethical implications

• extend their academic competence into new areas

• contribute to new and interesting ways of approaching literature and linguistics

Structure and content

Admission requirements

A Bachelor's degree with an English Major of at least 80 ECTS credits or a Cand. Mag. degree comprising the equivalent of at least 80 ECTS credits in English. At least 20 credits must be on supplementary level (Level 2). The English major must include at least 30 credits in language/linguistics and at least 30 credits in literature. Students must have obtained the average grade C for their English major in the Bachelor's programme (80 ECTS credits), or the average grade of 2.7 in English in the Cand. Mag. degree.

See supplementary regulations: http://www.uia.no/en/studies/how-to-apply/admission-regulations

Recommended previous knowledge

Very good English language proficiency in written and oral English equivalent to CEFR level C1. 

General description and profile

The programme is aimed at students who have taken English literature and linguistics courses at undergraduate level and are interested in deepening their studies of English. It offers the possibility of specialising in English literature or linguistics.

A specialisation in English literature will give you insight into important literary works. You will learn about different strategies of how to critically approach, interpret and understand literary texts which will help you develop self-confidence and reflection on issues of interpretation. You will also learn about the different kinds of texts, genres, epochs and literary traditions. Topics for a Master’s thesis in English literature could be on literary works from North America, Great Britain or literary works written in English from other parts of the world.

The linguistic courses build on what you already have learned about English language structure (phonetics, phonology, morphology and  syntax). You will be introduced to the theoretical work that supports proposals about language structure. In addition you will learn about experimental linguistics which investigates language processing: how it is acquired and used for both monolinguals and bilinguals. For both topics you will also learn about the methodologies used to test these theories.

The programme totals 120 ECTS credits:
- 2 obligatory core courses in literary and linguistic theory, total 15 ECTS credits
- 3 or 4 elective courses, total 45 or 60 ECTS credits - Master's thesis, 60 (alternative 1) or 45 (alternative 2) ECTS credits

The two compulsory introductory theoretical courses are offered in the first semester.

Specialisation: Students choose to specialise in either literature or linguistics. A minimum of 30 credits in one of the two areas is needed to write a Master's thesis in that area.

The Master's thesis: The master's thesis is an independent project on a topic in either English literature or linguistics. Two master's theses alternatives are offered. For alternative 1, the student writes a 60-credit thesis (approximately 30,000 words) in the third and fourth semesters of the programme. For alternative 2, the student completes an extra course in the third semester, and hands in a 45-credit thesis (approximately 20,000 words) by the end of the fourth semester. For all second year students, two thesis writing seminars are offered: an obligatory poster session in the autumn and a voluntary feedback seminar in the spring. These seminars serve to give students a jump start on their project and to help them in their writing process.

Teaching methods

Teaching takes place primarily in seminars, with active student participation in the form of discussions and oral presentations. Writing skills are trained through compulsory supervised essays and work with the Master's thesis. Oral skills are trained through participation in the seminars. The language of instruction is English for all courses.

Assessment methods

Assessment forms vary among written examinations, home examinations, portfolios and term papers. For more information please see individual course descriptions. A final oral examination on the Master's thesis is arranged after the Master's thesis has been handed in and has received a passing grade.

Internationalization

Students are encouraged to spend their third semester at a university with which the University of Agder has an exchange agreement, either in Europe, the USA, Canada or Australia. Credits earned at courses abroad may count towards the home degree. Please note that the programme coordinator must approve of all courses taken as part of a study abroad exchange in advance. For more information on exchanges, please consult the International Department's web site (https://www.uia.no/en/student/go-on-exchange ) or contact senior advisor Tone Frøysnes (tone.froysnes@uia.no).

Incoming exchange students can study the entire programme in English.

Requirements for continuing in programme

The courses EN-410 Literary Theory and EN-411 Linguistic Theory must be passed before students may take courses in the second semester. Formal supervision of the thesis starts after a project description has been handed in and approved (preferably in the second semester). The two mandatory thesis writing seminars must be assessed as a pass, and all courses on the programme must be completed before submitting the Master's thesis.

Occupational profiles / further studies

The programme provides a basis for teaching English literature and language or working with English in a research capacity and/or within culture, publishing, media, advertising, translation, the Foreign Service and tourism. Degree acquisition can also form a basis for admission to doctoral study programmes in literature or linguistics.

Qualification awarded

Master i engelsk (Master of Arts in English)

Evaluation

Study programme evaluation is conducted annually in the programme committee in accordance with the Quality System, section 4.2.

Other information

The University of Agder (UiA) encourages increased use of digital tools in its study programmes. The aim is to utilize new forms of communication and to try new arrangements for teaching and academic supervision. Students at UiA will to an increasing extent be using computers in their daily academic work. A transition to digital examinations is an important part of this process. It is a requirement that all students at UiA have their own portable computer for use in teaching and examinations, see Examination Regulations, University of Agder, §12d.