Studying English at Birmingham involves a rigorous grounding in the core areas of the subject along with exposure to new ideas and practices. Ours is a strong department|, with members of staff working in the fields of English Literature, English Language and Creative Writing.
At the beginning of your course you commit yourself to one of two pathways, based on your interests and experience – English Literature (mostly literature with some language), or English Language and Literature (equal proportions of literature and language).
First year
For students choosing the literature pathway, the first-year literature foundation modules – Approaches to Literature and Texts in History – introduce you to a range of kinds and periods of literature, using a lively variety of critical and theoretical approaches. The Independent Study module guides you in using the huge print and electronic resources of the Main Library, and in writing and referencing to a professional standard. Language Foundation introduces the essential elements of contemporary language studies. Landmarks in European Literature offers you the opportunity to establish a broader basis for literary study by reading key works (in translation) in their historical and cultural contexts. You also take a module outside your main discipline.
If you choose the pathway with equal weightings of literature and language, you take the two literature foundation modules as above, along with the Literature Independent Study module. On the language side, you take two first-year linked modules called Language Works, which introduce you to the full range of foundational methods of analysing the English Language, especially phonology, grammar, discourse structure, and how language develops in the individual and varies in social contexts. You also take a module introducing basic skills for independent research in English Language.
Second year
In this year Literature pathway students take modules that address topics in three major periods of English literature, which are informed by theoretical as well as textual and historical approaches. The Independent Study module in your second year sets you more challenging objectives to prepare you for the final-year dissertation. You take a language module, focusing either on development and variation in English, or on its discourse structure, and you also take a further module outside your main discipline.
On the Literature and Language pathway, you choose to take either two linked advanced Language Works modules (which take much further the ideas and analytical principles introduced in Year 1’s Language Works), or two of three modules which look in depth at rich aspects of the language: its history; its development and variation; and its discourse structure. A further module on research skills involves you in working on a project first as a member of a small research group, and then independently.
Third year
The final year is the culmination of your programme, in which you choose a number of special option modules, taught by experts in those specialisms, and also undertake an extended essay (a Research Project) in which you have the opportunity to demonstrate sophisticated understanding of the issues in literature or language that you have been studying over the last two years. All English Literature students also take a year-long Shakespeare course, taught in collaboration with, and drawing on the unique resources of, our internationally-renowned Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Teaching and learning
We believe that we are partners in learning with our students, and our programme is designed to ensure that you are a fully supported and an active learner. Your programme combines independent study with class work in seminar groups and lectures, as well as individual supervisions in connection with your dissertation. We provide a variety of assessment methods, including exams and written work produced throughout the year.
Career opportunities
In English you have an unparalleled opportunity not only to engage with the materials of a broad and diverse cultural, textual and linguistic discipline, but also to develop skills in intellectual analysis, critical thinking and articulate expression – skills that last a lifetime and qualify you for many possible careers. You are also encouraged to acquire practical skills, of equally wide usefulness and application, in oral presentation, professional documentation, group work, and the uses of information technology.
English graduates go on to work in commerce, the public services, journalism and other media, teaching at every level, publishing, advertising, the law, and a very wide range of other professions.
Other ways to study English
The School of English, Drama and American and Canadian Studies also has other single honours programmes:
You can take English (Literature or Language) in an equal combination with another subject as part of a Joint Honours degree – see English Literature Joint Honours BA| and English Language Joint Honours BA|).