English Literature: Fantasy (Taught)

Are you a fan of fantasy fiction? Or are you simply curious as to why the fantastic can be found all around us in the twenty-first century, from videogames and films to poetry, songs, television, novel series, and so-called 'mainstream' fiction? This programme allows you to engage with one of the most vibrant literary genres of the last two centuries - and a major cultural phenomenon of our time.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

• You will be supported by a friendly, internationally acclaimed team of scholars working in all areas of the arts, from literature and comics to film, TV, history of art and modern languages.

• Fantasy-related events are organised each year, from conferences to field trips, from talks and conversations involving writers, editors and visiting scholars to reading parties, film showings and exhibitions.

• You will have access to world class libraries, museums and teaching/research facilities.

• You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant cultural scene of Glasgow itself, which attracts major fantasy-related conventions and is famous throughout the world for its musical, artistic, technological and literary energy.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The programme involves core and optional taught sessions, followed by a period of research and writing over the summer when you will undertake supervised independent work on a special topic of your choice, researching, planning and writing a 15,000 word dissertation.

Full-time Students

Semester 1 - September to December
RESEARCH TRAINING COURSE
FANTASY 1: 1780-1950
One optional course

Semester 2 - January to March
FANTASY 2: 1950 TO THE PRESENT
Two optional courses

Summer - April to September
FANTASY DISSERTATION

Delivery

All taught courses are 20 credits and are delivered in weekly 2-hour seminars or equivalent.
Seminars are taught to the extent that the student members meet regularly with a tutor and proceed through a planned sequence of reading and discussion. The working style, however, is exploratory rather than didactic; students are expected to engage fully with primary sources, to develop, express and take responsibility for their own opinions and to work towards independent argument and expression in their resulting coursework and dissertation.

Optional Courses

You may choose from the available optional courses offered by any of the Masters programmes in the School of Critical Studies; see in particular the courses listed under the MLitt English Literature general pathway. You may also opt for courses from other Masters programmes in the College of Arts (subject to approval by the relevant convener). One course can be taken at Honours level.

Examples of possible options include:
CHILDREN'S FANTASY LITERATURE
CREATIVE WRITING FICTION
DECADENCE AND THE MODERN
EARLY MODERN MYTHMAKING
FANTASY ACROSS MEDIA
FANTASIES OF ENERGY (PGT)
SCIENCE FICTION 1945-PRESENT

For further information please contact the convener.