English Modules?

Hi guys,

I'm trying to navigate my way around the edinburgh site and get a detailed, easy to read list of the modules for English Lit, but alll I can find is this: http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/13-14/dpt/utenlit.htm which really isn't great. Does anyone have anything clearer? Thankyou :smile:

Reply 1

Static.

Hello! What sort of modules are you looking for? EL1 and EL2 (first and second year English Lit) don't really contain 'modules' as such, because all students on the course follow roughly the same reading list and lecture schedule - there isn't really much choice in that respect. But if you'd like to get a look at the typical reading list and lecture schedule you can find them on these pages: http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/literatures-languages-cultures/english-literature/undergraduate/current/pre-honours (just go through and click 'Reading' or 'Lecture timetable' depending on what you want to see for each year). In third and fourth year (honours), you will have the chance to pick from a much more specialised range of courses. If you go to this page, you can download some big PDFs that contain a course description for every honours course currently running, including reading lists: http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/literatures-languages-cultures/english-literature/undergraduate/current/honours/core-option-2013-2014

It's worth keeping in mind that these honours courses change year on year according to student demand and staff specialisation, but you get a rough idea of the sorts of courses on offer. I believe that English Lit offers one of the most extensive course choices of any subject at Edinburgh, which is pretty cool. If you have any more questions about English Lit at Edinburgh let me know!

Reply 2

nearlyheadlessian

15

Original post by Static.

I believe that English Lit offers one of the most extensive course choices of any subject at Edinburgh, which is pretty cool.

It bloody well should given the amount of money it gets! :wink:

Reply 3

Static.

Original post by nearlyheadlessian

It bloody well should given the amount of money it gets! :wink:

Ha, really? I don't know very much about inter-departmental financial politics, but I can certainly see that...

Reply 4

SMASTER1

OP

Original post by Static.

I believe that English Lit offers one of the most extensive course choices of any subject at Edinburgh, which is pretty cool. If you have any more questions about English Lit at Edinburgh let me know!

Thankyou very much, that's excellent. It all looks really good, I'm feeling a lot happier- I was really put off by not being able to find a clear list. It sounds like you study English at Edinburgh? Would you mind giving me any pros and cons that you can think of? I'm trying to decide whether to go to the open day or not, and it's easier if I can think of unis in terms of defining qualities, that diffrentiate them from other unis. Hope that's clear, sorry to be a pain!

Reply 5

nearlyheadlessian

15

Original post by SMASTER1

Thankyou very much, that's excellent. It all looks really good, I'm feeling a lot happier- I was really put off by not being able to find a clear list. It sounds like you study English at Edinburgh? Would you mind giving me any pros and cons that you can think of? I'm trying to decide whether to go to the open day or not, and it's easier if I can think of unis in terms of defining qualities, that diffrentiate them from other unis. Hope that's clear, sorry to be a pain!

1) The University of Edinburgh more or less invented the study of English literature.

Reply 6

Static.

Original post by SMASTER1

Thankyou very much, that's excellent. It all looks really good, I'm feeling a lot happier- I was really put off by not being able to find a clear list. It sounds like you study English at Edinburgh? Would you mind giving me any pros and cons that you can think of? I'm trying to decide whether to go to the open day or not, and it's easier if I can think of unis in terms of defining qualities, that diffrentiate them from other unis. Hope that's clear, sorry to be a pain!

As NHI points out, one of the defining qualities of English Lit at Edinburgh is that it is the oldest department of English Lit in the world, so it really stands out in terms of prestige and history (if that appeals to you). Taking into account my more personal experience as a student, some of my main points in favour would be the great range of choice on offer at honours, the fact that staff are on the whole really engaging and passionate about what they teach, and when it comes to EL1 and EL2, they've basically been teaching the same course for years with minor changes now and again, so by this stage it's really well-structured and organised so you get a good, comprehensive overview of literature in English.

A possible con might be that because it is such a big subject with a lot of students, it can lack the more personal feel of studying in a smaller subject area (I was joint honours with Scandinavian Studies so I really got the best of both worlds in this respect). Compared with my experience in SS, I'd say that in English Lit you don't get to know the staff as well and get as much individual attention, but I'm not sure if that's a big concern for a lot of students anyway, just something I've noticed. Thinking of some real downsides is pretty hard, actually. Obviously you do get a personal tutor and pastoral support from them so it's not like you're totally on your own, either.

I've just finished my degree so by this point I know quite a lot about being a student of English Lit at Edinburgh so if you think of any more questions don't hesitate to ask!

Reply 7

SMASTER1

OP

Original post by nearlyheadlessian

1) The University of Edinburgh more or less invented the study of English literature.

Haha this made me laugh, I guess that pretty much sums up defining quality! :smile:

Reply 8

SMASTER1

OP

Original post by Static.

I've just finished my degree so by this point I know quite a lot about being a student of English Lit at Edinburgh so if you think of any more questions don't hesitate to ask!

Thankyou very much, that's all really interesting, it definitely sounds interesting! I can't think of anything else too pressing- would you mind telling me what you got at A Level? I just want to be realistic with myself about my prospects- I'm currently predicted AAAB, but I'm really not sure how I've done in my AS exams unfortunately :/ Also, do you recall ever taking a module in English which you couldn't stand, or liked significantly less than the others, or would you say they all gripped you? Thankyou very much for all your help :smile:

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 9

Static.

Original post by SMASTER1

Thankyou very much, that's all really interesting, it definitely sounds interesting! I can't think of anything else too pressing- would you mind telling me what you got at A Level? I just want to be realistic with myself about my prospects- I'm currently predicted AAAB, but I'm really not sure how I've done in my AS exams unfortunately :/ Also, do you recall ever taking a module in English which you couldn't stand, or liked significantly less than the others, or would you say they all gripped you? Thankyou very much for all your help :smile:

I got AAAAa at A Level, but my GCSEs were weaker (mostly Bs with a couple of A/A*s). I applied coming up to five years ago now, so I have no idea how my application would rank against current applicants - I also had some contextual factors in my favour too I believe. Even having amazing grades is no guarantee of a successful application because Edinburgh is so competitive generally so I would encourage you to go for it anyway if it's what you really want (provided you apply for some safer choices too).

My main interest is in 20th century literature, so to be honest, the medieval literature component to first year wasn't my favourite thing in the world, though I do still recognise that it's important to get a balance! I don't think that part of the course was badly taught at all, either, it just wasn't what interested me. So on the whole, no, nothing I've taken has been bad at all :smile:

Reply 10

SMASTER1

OP

That's all great to know, thankyou very much :smile:

English Modules?

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