Faculty of Arts

 English

Table of Contents

Subject Lists
    Subject descriptions
        First Year
        Second and Third Year
        Fourth Year Honours

 1. Strengths of the area of study

English is the study of literary texts written in the English Language. English subjects focus on new areas such as postcolonial studies, gender studies, media studies and popular culture. Traditional ways of thinking, writing and talking about literary and other texts have been changed by an awareness of the theoretical and political assumptions that underlie all forms of criticism. We offer subjects from the medieval period to the present, which will encourage you to think about the significance of texts produced in cultures which differ from your own, as well as offering new ways of thinking about contemporary Australian literature and culture. What you will learn from studying them is how to read analytically a wide range of literary and other texts, as well as to write about them both critically and creatively.

 2. Career opportunities

A degree with a major in English studies is an excellent and flexible preparation for careers in journalism and the media, public service, publishing, education, librarianship, information management, and many other roles, public and private, in the communications and service industries.

 3. Prerequisites

First-year subjects require no specific prerequisites.

The general prerequisite for second and third-year English single-semester subjects is usually a pass in any two first-year single-semester English subjects (25 points), except where subjects are taken as part of an approved interdepartmental program with its own entry requirements.

 4. Requirements of a major

A major in English consists of at least five subjects completed at second and third-year level, totalling 83.3 points.

 5. Entry to Honours

Students wishing to enter Fourth-year Honours in 1998 will need to have completed a major in English. A minimum overall standard of H2A will be required in the major. These requirements apply to both Pure and Combined Honours. Entry to fourth-year honours requires the approval of the Head of Department and Faculty. Students must have completed all the requirements for the pass degree before enrolling in Fourth-year Honours.

 6. Honours requirements

 6.1. Pure Honours

Students undertaking Pure Honours in English must complete:

• 106-400 English Honours Thesis (33.3 points), and;
• four single semester English honours subjects (66.6 points).

 6.2. Combined Honours

Students undertaking Combined Honours in English must complete:

• two single semester English honours subjects (33.3 points); and
• 106-400 English Honours Thesis or a thesis in the combining department (33.3 points), and;
• subjects in the combining department according to the requirements of that department (33.3 points).

 7. Opportunities for graduate study

The Department of English offers a number of graduate degrees at different levels in a wide range of literary and cultural studies subjects: a Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing; a Postgraduate Diploma in English; an MA by Advanced Seminars and Shorter Thesis; an MA by Thesis; and a PhD.

 8. For more information

Please contact:

Subject descriptions

First Year

Second and Third Year

Fourth Year Honours

Status:                   Official 1998
Last Modified:            Tuesday October 21 17:09
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Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au