MA in Critical and Cultural Theory
The MA in Critical and Cultural Theory provides both a rewarding MA and an ideal basis for students wishing to undertake research leading to the degree of PhD. where appropriate, it is also open to first year PhD students, who attend the first two terms of the MA course, and submit the assessed essays, before proceeding to full-time work on the thesis. These essays take account of the material taught in the course, but may also constitute draft sections of the doctoral project.
The Master's Degree takes one year full-time or two years part-time. Students registered for the full-time programme take one core and one optional module in each semester. They go on to write a dissertation over the summer. Students registered on the part-time programme take the core modules in their first year (one in each semester) and take their optional modules in their second year. Students taking the part-time programme have to submit their dissertation in December.
In general, we recommend students to take the taught MA before going on to a PhD.
Entry Requirements
Applications are welcome from graduates with at least a 2.1 in a relevant discipline.
You may apply online or send us a paper application form (also available from the 'Apply' section of Cardiff University's website). Applications are considered on a continuous basis throughout the year.
The School welcomes applications from students from outside the United Kingdom. More information is provided on our International Students page.
Funding
There is AHRC funding available for this subject area for the academic year 2012/13. If you wish to apply for an AHRC award you must first apply for and be accepted onto an MA or PhD programme within the School by Friday 24 February 2012.
For further information about the AHRC and the competition deadlines please go to
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/encap/funding/postgraduate.html
Assessment
The MA is assessed on the basis of four essays (one for each course) and a dissertation of approximately 15,000 words on a topic chosen in consultation with a supervisor. There are no unseen written examinations.
Modules
In the Autumn semester you will take Critical and Cultural Theory 1 (SET601) and one of:
- SET603 Capitalism and Schizophrenia
- SET609 The Cultural Politics of Gender and Race
- SET434 European Philosophy
- SET225 Welsh Fiction in English: Colonial and Postcolonial
In the Spring semester you will take Critical and Cultural Theory II (SET602) and one of:
- SET606 Derridean Thought: 1990 to the Present
- SET607 Gothic and Gender
- SET222 Shakespeare in Theory
- SET600 Dissertation
(Note that not all these options will necessarily run each year.)
A guide to modules is available here in PDF format.
In addition to their coursework students attend classes on research methods, bibliography and presentation. There are opportunities to present a paper at the weekly Graduate Seminar and at occasional weekend Graduate conferences.
The School welcomes applications from students from outside the United Kingdom. More information is provided on our International Students page.
The School also offers opportunities for full-time and part-time study leading to the degrees of PhD and MPhil. Please see our Postgraduate Research section for further information.
See this course on the University's Coursefinder website.
Course Guide